Musical.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 24, 8 September 1894, Page 5

Musical.

BANDSMEN’S COLUMN.

[By “ Quaver.”]

I cheerfully give place this week to esteemed contributor (“Andante”) ■who sends the following notes : My last notes finished with the "Wellington bands, and they were the last connected with the N.Z.8.8. Association that I had the pleasure of hearing. My intention is now to show what such Associations do towards the welfare both financially and musically —of bands in general; also, to give New Zealand bandsmen an idea of what “stuff” the Australian and Tasmanian bandsmen are made of. To do this I shall continue my journey from Wellington, and, as before, take the bands as I meet them. Before leaving Wellington I had the pleasure of witnessing the ceremony of the opening of Parliament, when the Wellington Garrison Band turned out along with the volunteers. However, with the exception of the playing up to the House, there was nothing to note except the gorgeous uniforms of the officers in attendance ■On His Excellency, and as this does not interest bandsmen I will continue. Passing through Napier, where I noticed a band rotunda (their second) in course of erection, I reached Auckland. Here, I may say, there is not a decent band in existence. They do not go in for Association, and the result is as stated. You will see socalled bands of about eight in number going out to picnics, &c., playing in the most hideous style—nothing but what is known as “ circus style ’* being noticeable. Everyone who can play the scale of 0 on a cornet has a hand. All they think of is “ money.” Music is quite a secondary consideration. Now, what would be better than for all these small bands to combine and form, say, three or four good ones ; fix a scale of charges for engagements, and get good men at the head ? Each band could, as in Invercargill, get its turn and at the end of the year all divide. They would find themselves much better off, both musically and financially. Leaving Auckland we had a fairly rough voyage across to Sydney. While here I heard the Wesleyan Brass Band, a very fair band, but very “ brassy.” This, I may say, is the fault of all the bands across here. They evidently think that because their instruments are made of brass the tone should be ditto. Bandsmen, don’t make this mistake —a brass instrument is capable of being played in a drawing-room when the proper tone is obtained. The best band I heard was the 4th Eegiment Band, of Newcastle. Their style much resembles that of the 1.G.8. —they have a fine big broad tone, and come down to the piano feeautifully. In Melbourne I noticed Mr W. Little and Mr J. McLeay (late of 1.G.8.) occupying their old positions —bass trombone and solo tenor respectively —in the Melbourne Brass Band. This is a comparatively young ]band, but is fast becoming one of the Jfrest in Melbourne. Mr Code is their conductor. They have the same instrumentation as the local bands, being purely brass. Another good band is the Melbourne Police Band—they give splendid programmes of high-class music. Mr Bulch’s Operatic Band is also a very good one —as it would naturally be expected to be, having such an accomplished musician at its head. I heard several bands besides these, but for the most part they were very poor, so rather than waste paper on them I shall take the next place, viz., Launceston. Here they have three bands —St. Joseph’s Military Band, the City Band, and the Garrison Band. The latter is only a young band of a few months, but mostly all old players on the leading instruments. It would he unfair, however, to criticise them at present. The City is, however, an old-established band, and a good one at ■that. Like all other bands here, they

have clarionets. This does not, in my opinion, improve a band unless you have the proper military band, instrumentation. The St. Joseph’s will be celebrating their jubilee next year — that being their 50th, It is a very fair band. The bands here give sacred concerts every Sunday afternoon in the City Park, and the public turn out in large numbers to listen to the music.

Launceston is the last place I heard any band over here, but before finishing, I may say that neither Australian nor Tasmanian bands compare with those of New Zealand, with the exception of the 4th Regiment band in Newcastle. I have not heard one band that will compare with the Invercargill, Oamaru, Christchurch, Wellington Garrison, or Kaikoria bands, and the whole reason I assign is that of the want of an association to carry out contests. There is not the slightest doubt that the New Zealand bands owe their ability to the annual contests. My opinion is that the best all round band in the colonies is the Invercargill Garrison, and the Christchurch and Wellington Garrisons and Kaikorai bands come next, all in a lump. The Oamaru Garrison for the present are, I am afraid, low down, but no doubt they will yet come up to their old form. Individual players are also, I may say, much before the bandsmen across the water, although there are —out of the bands —one or two exceptionally good players —soloists.