THE REGIMENTAL BAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 8

THE REGIMENTAL BAND

APPOINTMENT OF CONDUCTOR

(To the Editor)

Sir,; —No. doubt many have read with surprise of the change ot cbnductorship made at the annual meeting of the above band. The policy of the band for many years was to move along easily, and at contest time to swell their ranks as best they could, sometimes at considerable expense. getting very little, if any, musical value for the money expended, and the city no belter band. The result of such a policy could only end where it did, musically stagnant and in debt. It was at This stage 1 was appointed conductor. 1 put before the band committee the only policy, that of training young local talent, which in my estimation meant real musical progress, a better band for the city, and a hope of contesting at- some future date, and the baud return, if not winners, better musically for their experience. This policy was thoroughly endorsed by the committee, who purchased several second-hand instruments, and ultimately, through the energies of a citizens’ committee, practically a new set was procured. From here a junior class was formed, and after about fifteen months’ training, with the sanctiqn of the committee, about a dozen juniors were passed into the band. For reasons best known .to themselves a small section of the band took exception to the advancement of the juniors, and the committee decided, against friy advice; to return them to the junior , class.

j After a few months, again with the sanction of the committee, the juniors were admitted to the band. Behold! another meeting and the juniors voted out again. ’ At this stage I had good cause to believe there were a few members determined to upset the progress tliftt was'riiakiiig itself apparent. ; ' As a protest to such methods I tendered my resignation, which should have taken effect from January last. The committee asked me to hold my resignation over, and a meeting was arranged at which I demanded to be present. It was at this meeting that the members who were stirring up strife, with one exception, were silent or absent. After this meeting, at the request of the committee, I carried on, with the understanding that I had their solid support. The results of my policy have been better practices, considerable musical advancement, and ability of the band to fulfil their engagements irrespective of absentees. The resolutions and’.remarks of appreciation at various intervals of the hand’s progress should have been 'sufficient for the committee to have taken a firmer stand against a small dissatisfied section who have ultimately, with methods best known to themselves, brought about a change in the direction they desired. The decision of the band at their annual meeting endorses the policy which was in vogue before my appointment, in preference to a policy of musical progress . which should ultimately give the city a good band and the subscribers a return for their support. To sum up the situation, that from a band musically very low and in debt, we have, in spite of opposition, a good bank balarice, practically a new set of instruments, and material which, if under proper guidance, should in time make a good band. In face of the foregoing undeniable facts, I leave the public to draw its own conclusions as to how and why a change was effected.—l am, etc., THOMAS COLE. Nelson, 26th July.