AIR FORCE BAND DISPLAY

Southland Times, Issue 24874, 14 October 1942, Page 3

AIR FORCE BAND DISPLAY

KITTYHAWK FIGHTERS OVER CITY A brilliant display of ceremonial marching was the feature of the openair entertainment given by the band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the show grounds yesterday. There was a good attendance of the public, ana much interest was shown in a flight of Kittyhawk fighters over the grounds in a spectacular display of aerobatics. In the morning the band gave a matinee performance in the Civic Theatre to the senior pupils of primary schools, ana in the evening the dance orchestra of the band provided the music at the victory ball at St. Mary’s Hall. Before the open-air concert the band marched through the city to the show grounds, and its marching and playing attracted widespread interest. The attendance at the opening of the concert was rather disappointing, but it was swelled as the afternoon advanced to a considerable crowd. The band was warmly applauded for its items, which included the march “Action Front, the waltz “The Skaters,” in which the drummer corps was featured, the march fantasia “Colonel Bogey on Parade” and the waltz “Thoughts,” all of which were conducted by Flight-Lieutenant Gladstone Hill. Flight-Sergeant R. H. Simpson, formerly of Invercargill, conducted a “Musical Jig Saw.” CEREMONIAL MARCHING Perhaps the most impressive feature of the entertainment was the ceremonial marching by the band. Beginning with a slow march, the band passed through numerous evolutions and then was seen in action at quickstep pace. The movements were marked by remarkable precision and the intricacies of the coUnter-march were brilliantly executed. Hearty applause was raised when the band formed the V for Victory sign and later the initial letters N.Z. In its marching the band was under the direction of Warrant Officer J. H. Hardwick. The Mayor (Mr A. Wachner), the town clerk (Mr W. F. Sturman )and the chairman of the Invercargill Metropolitan Patriotic Committee (Mr P. L. Hodge) occupied the saluting base. There was a break in the programme ' when the flight of Kittyhawk fighters 1 came over the grounds. Travelling at a ■ fast speed, the planes roared over the grounds and gave the crowd a real thrill, which was accentuated when the formation broke up and the machines dived steeply and rose again, curling over gracefully at the top of the climb. Appearing to fly within 20 feet of the ground, the pilots gave a brilliant display of the capacity of the machines. The concert by the band for primary school children was greatly enjoyed by the audiefice. Flight-Lieutenant Hill captured the interest of the children by a description of each instrument and its tone, range and capabilities with illustrations by the players. The programme was particularly suitable for children and the concert was a notable event in their musical education. The concert raised £25/11/- for patriotic funds.