City Band Farewell Concert

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 35, 11 February 1937, Page 5

City Band Farewell Concert

The Palmerston North City Silver Band is leaving for the Dominion band contest at Nelson on Saturday next at 5 a.m., making the passage of Cook Strait by daylight in order to have a few hours to become acclimatised. The bund has been practising assiduously every night for the past two months and also at week-ends, and under the capable baton of Mr. W. O'Hara very satisfactory progress has been made, and all hope to render a good account of themselves at the forthcoming contest. The band has been unfortunate in that the drum major (Mr. J. Dale) has been unable to take them to the contest, and in this connection they would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Mr. F. Bangay, who has taken them at drill until another drum major could be appointed. The band has now been successful in obtaining the services of Mr. Duncan Denniston, who is very well known in the city as a very successful trainer of bands for quickstep contests. The marching of the band and the quickstep evolutions performed at the band demonstration last Sunday under the leadership of Mr. Dennistou were tho cause for very favourable comment, and the members are determined to give him unqualified support iu order that a good showing can be made on the quickstep field. In order to give the citizens a final opportunity o£ hearing tho band prior to leaving for Nelson, a grand open-air concert will be given at the band rotunda in the Square to-night (Thursday) at 7.45 p.in., the programme including the two test selections “II Pirata" and “Kenilworth" and the band's own choice hymn, “Deep Harmony ' and the quickstep contest march “Newcastle.' A silver coin collection will be taken up in aid of the contest fund, and an earnest appeal is made to the citizens to respond generously to the band's appeal for funds. GARRISON BAND'S DEPARTURE. The Garrison Band leaves for Nelson on Saturday afternoon, and has been busy with final practices. Particular attention has been given to the street marching test, which is an innovation for band contests. It is to be judged on precision, etc., and bauds will not know the exact route to be traversed until they reach Nelson.