BRITISH MILITARY BAND AT THE EXHIBITION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1173, 18 November 1913, Page 4

BRITISH MILITARY BAND AT THE EXHIBITION.

SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION.

In view of the visit to the Auckland Exhibition of the Military Band of the Royal Artillery, Woolwich —it is to perform there for eight weeks —it is interesting to observe that at the present time it is questionable if there is a single military band in this Dominion—that is, technically speaking. What we have are brass bauds, pure and simple. A brass band consists only of brass instruments, with drums and triangle, Its strength should be not less than twenty-five. A military band, on the other hand, is made up of brass instruments and “wood.” There certainly is a “string,” the double bass, but it is never used on parade-only at concerts. The proper strength of a military band can be anything from forty-five to seventy-five. That of the Royal Artillery coming to New Zealand is forty-five. An orchestra, of course, comprises all instruments—wind, wood and string, with the latter predominating, The historical Savoy Orchestra, in the old Gilbert and Sullivan days, was about forty strong, it one remembers rightly. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, a famous and most talented organisation, has a basis of sixty-five instruments, supplemented as occasion requires. The Quinlan Operatic Orchestra, now in Australia, and shortly to visit Auckland, possesses a membership of fifty-four. The writer recollects hearing an extraordinarily fine military band at Manila, of all places. The instrumentalists—even the Conductor —were entirely Philapinos. They played magnificently. No such baud music is ever heard in this part of the world. That particular baud was one hundred strong.

The Royal Artillery Band arrives at Port Chalmers on 25th November, by R.M.S. Turakiua. They give one concert in Dunedin, another in Christchurch, a third in Wellington, and then go on to Auckland. Their instruments are made mainly by that famous firm, Hawkes and Son, of London. It is useful to know, and especially so to Bandsmen, that Hawkes’ instruments are represented in New Zealand by the Dresden Piano Co., Lid. The Bandmaster of the Royal Artillery Baud, Woolwich, is Mr li. C. Streltou, a brother of Major

Arthur Strellon, M.V-0., who is Director of Music at the Royal Military School of Music. The leadership of this band is considered the highest position which a military musician can attain in England. It was Mr Stretton who was appointed Director of Music (having under him an orchestra and military baud of picked men) and who accompanied the Prince of Wales (now King George V.) on his official visit to India. He ts a particularly charming man, well received by the best people in England. The Military Baud of the Royal Artillery will also have with them at Auckland their String Band.