Musical.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 25, 15 September 1894, Page 7

Musical.

BANDSMEN’S COLUMN.

THE INVERCARGILL BAND CONTEST, 1894.

[By “ Quaver.”]

This “ coming - event,” an event of some considerable moment to New Zealand bandsmen —since it will decide which is to be the premier band for the next twelve months —is looming in the near future. For the Grand Contest, twelve bands have entered, ten of them having also entered for the quickstep competition. Two bands only (the Oamaru Garrison and the Queenstow Bands) are conspicuous by their absence on the entry list of the latter event.

The fact of the Oamaru Garrison not being entered for the marching contest, has caused much adverse comment among the public in general and bandsmen in particular. Some are of opinion that for a garrison (and therefore a volunteer) band not to take part in the quickstep competition shows a wonderful lack of appreciation of their duties as volunteers ; and others again think that the (until last year) premier band lias not entered for this particular event, because they do not intend to compete in the grand contest, although entered. This latter view seems to be borne out by the significant fact of there not being one entry from the members of the band for the solo competition. If this band (Oamaru Garrison) is not in evidence next month, it will no doubt tend to confirm the suspicions held by many that the band, as one of the “cracks ” of the colony, is practically defunct. 1 have heard it rumoured that the Christchurch Garrison and the Oamaru ISTavals have stated that unless the Railway Commissioners grant them free passes they will probably not be present at the contest. Certainly these bands, among other volunteer bands, have always been granted this assistance in the past, while private bands have had to pay their own fares. If, therefore, the private bands have always done this (and,as likely as not will do so again), in their praiseworthy efforts to take part in the contests, I think it would be showing a great want of courage and enthusiasm on the part of any volunteer band to back out of this contest because it may chance that the concession hitherto granted may be refused on this occasion. Re the refusal of free passes to volunteer bands, it is to be hoped the Railway Commissioners will eventually see their way to further the efforts of the Contest Committee by granting, as hitherto, the concession asked for. When it is remembered that the contest will be the means of inducing a considerable number of

people to travel by rail, and that the granting 'of free passes to bands simply necessitates attaching three or four extra carriages to the excursion trains that probably must (for the public convenience) be run ; when it is also remembered that all the northern towns have been assisted in this respect, and have thus been enabled to bring their contests to a more successful issue, and that when it comes to Invercargill’s turn to run a contest this concession is refused, it must strike one as a great hardship both to the bands and to Invercargill. If the powers that be cannot see the advantages (social and otherwise) of fostering the taste for the ‘ divine art’ among our young men, I;can but consider them quite without the pale, since we are told that 1 Music hath charms to soothe (even) the savage breast.’ There is considerable dissatisfaction among the different bands at the unaccountable delay in the arrival of Messrs Wright and Round’s selection. The order reached the firm in March last, and at the . latest the music should have come to hand about the middle of last month. Mr T. E. Bulch of Melbourne received an order for the selection, and a quickstep at about the same time that Wright and Round got theirs, with the result that the former sends along the selection, ‘ Reminiscences of Weber,’ and the march, ‘ Dunedin Navals,’ while the latter, up to date, simply sent a letter stating the name of the selection they intend to post. There is one satisfaction, however, in the knowledge that when Wright and Round’s selection does come to hand, each copy will be correct and readable. Even at this late stage it can hardly be said that some of the parts of ‘ Reminiscences of Weber,’ are easily readable.

The contest committee and their energetic secretary (Mr Manson) are to be complimented on the thoroughly practical interest and zeal they have displayed in connection with the details of the forthcoming contest. That their efforts to make the contest the best and most successful of its kind ever held in the colony may be crowmed with complete success, is the devout wish of your own J"