BAND COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 70

BAND COLUMN.

Notes by Cornet.

Secretaries of bands are invited to send in interesting paragraphs, also brief reports of parades and other functions in which their bands take part. All communications should be addressed to " Cornet," Otago Witness office.

Wirth's Circus opened in Dunedin on Saturday night, and as usual the band was the attraction, quite a number of bandsmen listening to the opening tunes. The band numbers eight players — two cornets, a clarionet, trombone, bass euphonium, tenor horn, and drums. The playing was up to the average of circus bands, and in a clean and neat uniform (blue with gold colour facings) the band's appearance was pleasing. The tempos of the outside marches were rather slow for circus music. New Zealand contributes two of the players, the balance hailing from the Australian States. The fact of the tenor player being five years with the band speaks volumes for the " show."

Interest in the Kaikorai Band's projected trip to the home of one of the circus bandsmen (Ballarat) was evinced by the majority of Messrs Wirths' band attending at the Sunday concert given by the Kaikorai Band on the Belt, Roslyn. Besides being satisfied with the playing, the members were pleasantly surprised and exceedingly pleased at the splendid view unfolded to their eyes. Cominft from _ Australia and the heat wave, the beautiful panorama of the Pacific, the Peninsula, and the Harbour was thoroughly enjoyed by the seven " knights of the brass and sawdust."

Gold, notes, and silver were being freely handled by Wirths' circus employees — "star" performers, bandsmen, rouseabouts; in fact, all hands were jingling the " filthy lucre" on Sunday afternoon^and in full view of the public. A constable hovering about — for a free pass — pricked up his ears, and scenting promotion, prepared to rush on a " two-up school," when someone whispered "Treasury." He is still a constable.

The Gisborne Private Band is doing good business (writes C. B.), and amongst the several engagements booked, the band performed at the Racing Club's recent fixture of two days. By the inclusion of Mr A. Burns (trombone) from the Napier Garrison and the brothers Stokes (cornet and horn), the playing strength of the band' has been greatly augmented. The services of Lambert Williams (euphonium) are greatly missed sirce that player's change of residence to Oamaru.

Mr Lawrence, the recently-appointed conductor of Gisborne City Band, has returned to Woodville for business arrangements prior to taking up his duties with the band. Regarding Mr Lawrence's first year's salary, probably the members will guarantee the necessary amount. Outside of engagements the Gisborne bands do not receive much pecuniary assistance from the public, 2s 6d bein£ the amount for the year donated to the funds of the Gisborne Private Band. The annual meeting, reeentlv he'd, showed the receipts for the voar as £37 13s 6d, with an expenditure of £35 19s Id, leaving a balance of £1 14s sd. According to the newspaper reports, the North Island bands competing a+ New Plymouth are in splendid form. This is nlea-s-ing news, and is assurance that the bands are "triers" and not doing the irip ju«t for a "good time." Engaged- solokts frr the comins r contest :— J. Parker, of Wellington, will play lead for Masterton Municipal, nnd J. Richards, the Tavanaki corneft : st-. will act as soloist for Nelson Garrison Banrl. Mr Parker acted as professional cornetrist for Ma«terton at the Exhibit-on contest, and, needless to say. l°nt valuable a^istanre. Herbert and Fred Fox. nf rhri^Viurch. aro playinir for Hastings Town Band. The latter held the Position of r>r : mo roi-neftist or trumpet in the late Exhibition OicKe«tra. If the Rundav afternoon co"cert w*s the means of introducing to a larsre number of the public the really bea*'*iful «t>o + on the Town Belt known as " T'io Cloar," then the Kaiko^i Band may take unto itself thanks. The dry, veh-etv m"i=s coupled with the welcome shade aTorcl.^l by the tree?, makes "The Cle^r " a'i ideal spot to enjoy a band. "Under the baton of Mr Lakllaw the following programme was given: — Mar^h. "Japanese": overture, "' Nabuco " (Verdi) : sacred choru= " But the Lord »"« mindful "' : selection. '" Maritana" (Wollaoe) ; fantasia. " Mincer Chimes": march, "Cruiser"; and God savo the Kin<r.

The defunct Dnnedin Xavals Band is to be resuscitated. A conductor is being advertised for. applications to close on February 13. The Naval« Company are certainly p°rseverin? in their efforts to provide a srood band. Their late band cofctfor uniforms and instruments a matter of about £250. and in the event of a new band being 1 formed l a uniform will bp needed, the old one having been disposed of. Lambert Williams (euphonium player) is now settled in Oamaru and playing for the Garrison Band.

Durino- the =tav of ff MS OUl'en^r at Auckland thp ship's band took part in two massed band concerts (riven in aid of the Auckland bands eomnpting at New Flvmouth contest. Eij?ht thousand people attended the first concert, the taking totalling about £40. Five bands took part and rendered the following programme: — Quickstep. "Victor's Return" 'masked bands) ; selection. " Gems of Sullivan " (ftarri«on "Rand* ; overture. "Bohemian Girl" (Ci<v Band) : de=orir>Hv<» march, " The Turkish Patrol " (H M.S. Oballenerer Band) : selection. "Macbeth" (First Battalion Band): " Halleluiah Chorus." arranged by Conductor Stewart (Mounted Rifles Band) ; march. "Mount F,<rmont," and The Kinsr (massed bands). The second concert realised £40. the Albert Park being crowded to excess and the music grearly enjoypd. The feature of the afternoon was the playinsr of the Battalion Band in "William^ Tell" and "Gems of Schumann." Mohr's team w.iU take a lot of beating. On Wednesday evening, January 15, the band of H.M.S. Challenarer gave a farewell performance in Albert Park, Auckland. The following proaramme was rendered, under the baton of Mr Barnet, the popular bandmaster : —March, " Brilliant" s waltz, " Senta" i grand selection, "II Trovatore : waltz, "Flowers of Australia"; "Turkish Patrol": waltz, "Blue Danube"; march " Distant Greeting" ; "God s»ve the "King." Duriner the stay of this band in Auckland iixex. fcecame very popular, and each time

they appeared in public their playing was much appreciated. They have a sweet tone, and in their pianissimo passages that full, round tone which is wanting in man>y of our bands. The band has been formed but two years, and Bandmaster Barnat (a. Tasmanian boy) is to be congratulated on his efforts. He has some good material, and, what is more, good discipline and enthusiasm amongst his merry boys aboard ship. The band was accorded a hearty send-off the wish being freely expressed for o soeedv return to Auckland of H.M.S. Challenger.

Although Besses home-coming was in a drenching rain, the reception given the band by practically all the inhabitants of the village of Whitefie'd and surrounding: districts was a royal one. "Bussing" was indulged in to such an extent by the membprs' wives, sweethearts, and children that the well-arranged civic welcome had to take i " back seat" till the domestic welcome had run its course. However, later in the evening, the band was officially welcomed back to Lancashire by the Mayor and councillors of Whitefield. The welcojr.e was that of the return of a victorious army. Evervthint is being 1 done to make the New Plymouth contest a husre success. The energetic secretary (Mr Clarke) and his hard-working executive are doing all they possibly can to attain that end, and 1 competing bandsmen can rest assured they will be well treated by the citizens of New Plymouth. Dunedin bandsmen have pleasant recollections of the previous contest held in New Plymouth, and a'so the hosni-t-alitv shown by the townspeople. We svmpathjse with the committee over the withdrawal of the three best bands, so robbing 1 the contest of much interest, buf at the same time, knowinar the bear/ : /ul climato and the unsurpassed recreation ground, there is not the least doubt that, with the bands at their disposal, the contest will be a huge success. I hope so, at any rate, and on the days and nights, the fight for the championship is going on all non-competing bandsmen will be afc New Plymouth in spirit (but it won't follow that, the competing bandsmen will be in spirits).

A Gisborne correspondent writes: — A farewell smoke social was given by the Gisborne Private Band at their banclroom on Monday evening, 3rrl. on the occasion of the departure from Gisborne of Mr D. Jameson. Among the roasts pronospd was "The Guest of trie Evening," by the Chairman (Mr D. M'Killop), who referred to the fact that the band was greatly indebted to Mr Jameson, who had been a keen supporter of the band since its formation, and provided them with the bandroom they had occupied since they commenced 1 . After the toast had been drunk with musical honours, Mr Jameson responded, thanking the members "or their appreciation of the little assistance which he had beer able to render to the band. They had surmounted the first 12 months successfully, and he wished them every future prosperity, and wculd gladly give them any help if such was found necessary at any future period, a3 he would always take a lively interest in their doings. " The Visitors" was proposed by Mr C. Bollen, hon. seoretary, and was responded to_ by Mr Miller (hon secretary Gisborne City Band), who hoped that the two local bands would be ready to assist one another whenever necessary, and strive to raise the standard of music for the benefit of the members as well as the public. Messrs Piesse, T. Rodgers (a visiting bandsman), and S. M'Plierson also sooke. A very pleasant evening -was brought to a close with " Auld lang syne."