BANDSMEN’S NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 11

BANDSMEN’S NOTES

By “Magenta." ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. X.H.—Thanks for enclosure. Will make use of it. It is to be regretted that the people of tho city do not bear more of the band of the Weraroa Training Farm. I'ho boys have got an excellent organisation together, and thoir standard of play is creditable. However, what is the city s loss is the country's gam- At the vvaikanao sports on Anniversary Day tho band put in a welcome appearance, and the enjoyment of tho gathering was much enhanced hy tho music contributed by tho boys. The practices are well attended, and as the boys themselves take a keen interest in their work the band should havo an influence which will not stop short at the school gates. The rotunda by the Central Fire Stati >n seems to bo w'eariug well. Notwithstanding the fact that no bauds ever use it there appears to be little wanting in its aplpei ranee, save a coat of paint and a little attention. Of course, there is no prospect of it ever being used by a band, but to the sparrow and, perhaps, an occasional “vag./ it will still be a- haven of rest. One of the chief attributes of the groat player is that he constantly listens to tho sounds ho creates. Another is .that he strives to make oven his practising as musical as possible. The student who observes the first xulo will never practice carelessly or uninterestedly. By following both, he will gradually acquire tho power of sensitive discrimination between good and bad tones. In listening with extreme attention to tho tonal effects he produces when practising a melody, phrase, or brilliant passage, he will subject himself to a thorough course of oar-training. Tho “Darktown" Band created much amusement at Newtown Park on the evening of January 22nd. The occasion was the anniversary of the province, and sports in celebration of tho event were held at the Park. The band marched through the town to the scene of the festivities, and created great fun on tho route, incidentally drawing a large crowd with them. Their antics at the Park, and the wild and weird music they treated tho public to, will not easily be forgotten. The bandmaster of the Ashburton Temperance Band (Mr George Hoskinsj has resigned, and Mr A. H. Humphreys has been appointed to the position. Mr Hoskins has been bandmaster since the formation of the band, and has led it to victory on many occasions. Mr S. Nntt has been appointed deputy bandmaster. A committee has been set up to appoint a permanent conductor, and in the meantime Mr W. S. King, of Christchurch, is to bo asked to take over the conductorship until a permanent appointment can be made. An American magazine says there is a possibility of Prince Joachim Albrecht of Prussia making a tour of the United States with his orchestra. Ho travels under the name of Count Hohenstein, and has produced some worthy compositions. In a Home band journal a discussion is preceding regarding the poaching of player. One band, the Upper .Norwood, accuses the S.A. band of robbing it of three trombone players, and the latter retorts by accusing the Norwood band of “enticing"' away eight S.A. bandsmen. Correspondence on a subject of this sort is not very elevating, and can not promote anything except bad temper and enmity. The ways of bands differ, just as the ways of bandsmen differ, and a great deal of the opinions expressed depends on the viewpoint taken by tho person or persons expressing them. There is a. class of bandsman who is never content with the organisation he joins; he is always changing or on the look out for a change, and nothing short _of legroping him will make him stay with, any band a decent length of time. This is a matter that could be profitably taken in hand by the bands associations. By the adoption of a strict rule and its enforcement the vagaries of the peripatetic bandsman could be materially cut short. Unless good cause could be shown for a bandsman throwing up a band and joining another in the same city, his transfer ishould not be recognised in any shape or form. Barely has the musical world had such a tit-bit to gossip about as the recent "discovery'' of Ernest EaJielli» the hiLLp.ble drummer who has written music in his youth, which appears to have antedated the theories of Debussy and other modern French writers hy quite a considerable time. Fanelli had no one-to befriend him in getting a hearing. Doubtless, too, the fact that most of his works are extremely long and call for unusual instruments, made those who might havo wished to help him think twice. His discovery came about by his submitting to Gabriel Pierne a specimen copy of one of his own scores, in applying for work as a copyist. Pierne has aided him to the utmost, and his prompt action in bringing to notice a composer of genius who bade fair to be for ever neglected, cannot fail to add to his popularity as conductor of the Colonne orchestra. In speaking of Fanelli's work, Pierne has said: “M. Etrnest Fanelli’s craftsmanship is admirable and astonishingly modem considering the time when he began to write. I obtained the Prix de Rome in 1882, and I can confidently say that in those times onr art was very different from M. Fanelli's. Wagner’s influence was not yet felt in France; wo did not know the IXissian school, and Debussy’s creative powers hardly assorted themselves before 1890 or thereabouts.'’ Fanelli was bom in 1860, and entered the conservatoire at the age of ten. He gave up attending the classes in consequence of the terror inspired by one of the masters, and was consequently expelled. He was readmitted at the age of sixteen. He studied under Delibes, but was obliged at the same time to work for a living, so progressed little. Most of his remarkable skill has been gained as the result of self-effort.