The Band Contest.

Manawatu Herald, 27 February 1904, Page 3

The Band Contest.

The seventh annual brass band contest held under the auspices of the North Island Brass Bands Association, will be held at Palmerston North during next week, commencing on Monday and concluding on Friday night. The principal attractions for the public are the reception and garden party on Tuesday afternoon, March Ist, the grand military quickstep competition on Thursday, March 4th, and the two test selections on Wednesday evening, March 2nd and Friday the 4th. All these peaformances will be given on the grounds of the A. and P. Association. The test pieces are very fine, but difficult, so arranged as to test the best powers of every player. Some of the finest bands in the colony will be present and a,musical treat of a very high order may confidently be expected. The. solos, trios, and quartettes are to be played in the Theatre Royal. There are 165 entries for these, comprising every instrument in the band. These competitions will last all the week from 9 o’clock in the morning, there being three performances each day. The railway department have risen to the occasion by issuing excursion fares at holiday rates from the 29th February to the 4th March (inclusive). Delayed trains to enable visitors from Masterten, Foxton, Dannevirke and Wanganui, including all intermediate stations, to lee the reception and quickstep, have been arranged, and, given fine weather, these functions must be a great success. After both performances the massed bands, numbering about 400 players, will give on reception day “The British Bandsman,” and on quickstep day “The Oussock.” The two test selections on which the championship will be judged will be played on the showground in a specially-constructed stand. Ample sitting accommodation will be provided for 4000 people, and the moon being full, a record attendance is expected. The committee have made every arrangement for the convenience and comfort of the visitors. Afternoon tea will be provided at town prices. Trains are specially delayed to allow the Foxton residents to witness both the reception and quickstep competitions.