BAND CONTEST, 1894.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 29, 13 October 1894, Page 9

BAND CONTEST, 1894.

The Band Contest is now in full swing. .Five bands, viz., Oamaru Navals, Dunedin Engineers, Kaikorai, Dunedin Navals, and Sydenham, arrived by express train on Tuesday afternoon, and were met by the Mayor, Band Contest Committee, and a large assemblage of citizens. The bands marched to the Rotunda, and were formally welcomed to the town by His Worship, and Messrs McFarlane, Siddall, Mohr, and others. On Wednesday afternoon the seven competing bands mustered in the Crescent, and as a combined band marched to the U nion Ground to take part in the quickstep competition. Crowds thronged the principal thoroughfares, and every coign of vantage was eagerly taken possession of. It is estimated that fully 4000 persons were gathered in the grounds. A large number of tickets had been sold beforehand, and the gate takings amounted to £lO2. The contest closed at 5.30 p.m,, and soon after Lieutenant-Colonel Webb announced the decision of the judges. ‘ The following table shows the points gained by the bands in music and in drill; the possible in each being 100 Quickstep Competition. First, £7 10s in cash, and music to the value of £‘2 2s, presented by Mr T. B. Bulch to be selected from his catalogue ; second, £5 in cash; third, £2 10s in cash.

The decision in this case seems to have given general satisfaction. The Timaru Garrison Band arrived by Wednesday's express, but did not compete in the quickstep competition. A meeting of delegates in connection with the Brass Bands Association was held on Thursday morning, when Timaru was selected as the scene of the baud contest of 1895.

On Thursday evening the first test piece, “ Reminiscences of Weber,” was performed in the Theatre Royal. The building was packed with a deeply-interested audience. The proceedings began at 7.50 p.m., each band occupying about twenty minutes, and were conclude.d at 11 p.m. To-night (Saturday) the final test piece, “ Schubert,” will be performed, and after the last band’s performance the judge’s decision will be given. Until after the judge’s decision, comments on the various bands’ performances would be out of place, but I shall probably take an opportunity to deal with these later. At the close of the performances on Thursday night protests were lodged from the Timaru Garrison against the Invercargill Garrison and Dunedin Engineers’ bands engaging players who were not in active association with them for three months prior to the contest. •

Drill Music Total. 1. Invercargill Garrison 89 71 160 2. Invercargill City Guards 87 70 157 3. Kaikorai 88 68 156 Sydenham 83 65 148 Oamaru Navals 79 66 . 145 Dunedin Navals 71 67 138 Dunedin Engineers 67 67 134