BAND PERFORMANCES

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 369, 25 February 1937, Page 4

BAND PERFORMANCES

DOMINION CONTEST. Comment By Taranaki Union President. High praise for the manner in which the Dominion band contest, just concluded at Nelson, was oranised, was expressed by Mr, P. S. Finlayson, president of the Taranaki Brass and Pipe Bands Union, in an interview with the “Central Press’ to-day. The weather was fine but the evenings were somewhat cool and this affected some of the attendances at night.

The B grade first selection, “Il Pirata” was played rather well by the majority of bands, commented Mr. Finlayson, but the second selection “Kenilworth" troubled them all and those most competent to judge considered that it was? far too difficult . The public at the band contests wereg fairly good judges and they also were" able to appreciate the difficult nature of the selection. The A grade bands were a fairly even lot and put up some good performances, though the solo work was somewhat disappointing. After the first evening some of the players were probably suffering from nerves, Mr. Finlayson said. The judge Mr. E. Kerry, after the hymn test, passed some very scathing remarks even in regard to the A grade players. and that may have upset some of the more sensitive players. There was some nice solo work, but generally speaking it was not up to expectations. In the cornet playing the tone was inclined to be on the hard side, or thin, the effect probably of too much jazz band playing by soloists. However, the first three placed competitors could not be criticised for their tone work. Another factor that militated against good tone wfJrk alas' that after several weeks of intensive practice some competitors had trouble with their lips due to the salt air. Excellent: Marching Displayed. Saturday, continued Mr. Finlayson, was a glorious day for marching, add there was a very large attendance. It v.'at estimaterd that over''?,ooo people were present. From eight or nine o’clock ip the morning there was a steady stream of cars from Blenheim. Right throughout the marching of the A and B bands was excellent and the display was really worth wiitle going to see. The performance of the Nelson Garrison band in ths A grade was first-class and the Wellington Tramways band also gave a fine exhibition of drill and music. From start to finish the contest arrangements were very good. There was a little delay in the military judging of the quickstep but otherwise the programme went through to time. The conduct of the visiting bandsmen was excellent and the Nelson people did everything in their power to make thiir stay a pleasant one. All the bandsmen found that the week’s Work was the hardest for a long time, but they are looking forward to the next contest which will probably be held at Palmerston North.