The Band Contest

Manawatu Herald, 23 February 1899, Page 2

The Band Contest

The second contest under ttya auspices of the North Island Bras! Binds' Association commenced at; Palmerston on Tuesday. In the afternoon the Mayor, local members of the North Island Bands' Assooia* tion, members of the contest com* mittee. and members of the Borough Council welcomed the visiting bands to Palmers ton North.

Later in the afternoon the aolo competitions were commenced afc thp Theatre Royal, the B Flat Brass Solo Competition being taken first, W. Smith, of Wellington Garrison Band, playing first. The Manawatu Times states that the Wanganui Band played a selection outside the Occidental Hotel on their arrival, and their playing greatly pleased the bystanders. In the evening the bands competed in the Theatre Royal for tfao test seleotion, " Maeaniello,', arranged by Messrs Wright and Bound London, the first prize for this and the contest on Friday night being £100, the £50 Besaon Challenge Shield, and a gold-mounted baton presented by the Dresden Piano Company to the bandmaster of the winning band. The bands entered are the Wellington Garrison, Wanganui Garrison, Greymoutb Town, Masterton Municipal, Waihi Brass, Jupp's Private, Mitchelltown Brass, JNapier City, Marton Royals, Woodvilte Brass, and Palmerstan Brans Bands.

The Marton and Napier Bands have finally decided not to complete, but three members of the latter band will take pirt in the solo competitions.

The judges of the marching in the Quickstep Competition will be Colonel Pole • Penton, Lieutenant • Colonel Ne wall, Captains Hill, Fi'.zherbert, and Dunk.

Mr Schwartz is to judge the contest selections.

The competition was continued at 9 o'clock yesterday morning, and the great event of the obntest, so fur as the public are concerned, will take pi ice to-day. Trains will run from all parts of the district. The attendance should be enormous. Precisely at 1.80 the ten bands will parade at the Bind Rotunda in the square where they will be marshalled intp a mas3ed band by Lieut. D. Pi ingle, and they will march playing " The Flying Squadron " march, to the showground. Those who have not seen a function of the kind can hardly realise the magnificent effect created. On their arrival there the competition will take place, commencing at 2.80, the number of prizes being five. The military judges are Colonel Pole-Penton, Lieut. Smart, Newall, Captain C. Dank and Captain K. Fitzherberfc, Mr J. 0. Schwartz being the musical judge. After the bands have drawn lots for the order of playing, each band in turn, will fall in for inspection, points being awarded for general appearance, dressing, correct intervals, cleanliness of instruments, accoutrements, and uniforms. They will then march and countermarch on the course flagged out, and will receive points for marching and playing.