THE BAND CONTEST.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8743, 18 February 1907, Page 2

THE BAND CONTEST.

(Por Press Association.) Christchurch, February 17. The Exhibition Band Contest closed to-day with the Quickstep competition. The following ■ were the awards, the possible points being; Drill 200, music 60; total 260: —Wanganui, 171.) and 55 (220 V) ; Mastorton Municipal, 170 and 59 (229) ; Auckland Ist Battalion, 172 and 53 (225) ; Kaikorai, 163) alid 60 (223.)) j Auckland Garrison, 168 and 53 (223); Taranaki, 166) and 52 (218)); Woolston, 131) and 40 (217)) ; Timaru Garrison, 168) and 46 (214)) ; Invercargill Municipal, 164) and 50 (214 V); Waihi Federal, 155) and 59 (214-)); Palmerston North, 169 and 45 (214) ; Derry’s Private, 153) and 59 (212)); Newcastle City, 147 and 58 (205)); Denniston, 153 and 51 (204) ; Gisborne City, 152) and 50 (202)); Greymouth Battalion, 157 and 45 (202) ; Nelson Garrison, 151) and 47 (198)) ; Tuapeka, 148 and 47 (195) ; Wellington Garrison 135 and 58 (193) ; Dunedin Navals, 145 and 44 (189) ; Jupp’s (Wellington), 130) aiid 57 (187)); Hastings Town, 134 and 50 (184) ; Timaru Marine, 146 and 45 (180); Dunedin Citizens, 132) and 47 (179)) ; Kuahine, 140 and 39 (179); Napier Garrison, 131) and 40 (171)). Marks for drill aro placed first and for music second, the total being given third.

The totals for the Shields (North and South Island Band Associations) for which marching does not count are as follows : Kaikorai 363, Wanganui 360, -Newcastle 360, Wellington 355, Auckland Garrison 353, Waihi 352, Derry’s 347, Mastorton 343, Dunedin 342. The 88-flat resulted: Guthrie (Wanganui) 92 Fenton (Woolston) 90, and Maher (Masterton) 88.

Speaking in reply to the toast of the judge at the Ministerial supper, Lieut. Bentley said that he had an idea that New Zealand was a democratic country with an eight-hours’ law, but he had had to work all day and all night. Ho had heard some very fine playing in the selections, superior to that in New South Wales, though not to what was available in Australia. The Geelong Orphanage Baud, composed of boys, was a really wonderful band, and was only beaten by two points for first place in a recent contest. He congratulated the conductor of the winning band oh the result of his performance of the selections, which he thoroughly deserved.

Mr 0. Schwartz said the development of the country bands had been quite astonishing to him, and it had been a great pleasure to judge tho solo playing. During the recent baud competitions the feature of the solo competitions was the way the old champions had to give place to new, Buckley alone of tho veterans came out on top. The majevity of the-winners are young bandsmen, which augurs well for the future of brass band contests

Mr J. Dixon, representative of the Boosey Company, has given Bandmaster Buckley, the champion cornet player of the Wanganui Band, the pick of the firm’s cornets in the Exhibition show case. The instrument selected is a particularly handsome one, electro-plated, gilt, and chasely engraved and finished in the company’s wellknown skilful manner.

For its win Wanganui Garrison Band gains the .£l3O prize, and special badge for tho conductor and medals to bandsmen ; Kaikorai Band takes .£IOO, Newcastle City Band £75, Auckland Garrison £35, Wellington Garrison £25, and Dundin Citizen’s Band and Woolston Band shave £ls as sixth award. Tho Christchurch Press thus refers to Palmerston North Band’s treatment of the tost selection —The euphonium recitative was good, but the solo erred on tho side of excessive lugubriousness and stolidity. Tho allegro vivace suffered for want of light treatment, and the soprano cornet was responsible for several errors. Giselda’s song was melodiously interpreted, and tho other solos fairly well done. A fair average performance.

In announcing the aggregate points of the “ Own Choice” selection and Grand Test selection competitions at the conclusion of the playing, tho judge (Lieut. W. G. Bentley) said doubtless the list would contain some surprises. A number of bands, ho explained, had made mistakes in the tempo of “I’ Lombardi” — some were too fast and others too slow. That was their own look out. One movement had been wrongly marked, but that was the fault of tho arranger, and competitors must abide by the score. They had all got a fair run for their money, and must take what they got.