North Island Brass Band Association.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 68, 13 March 1902, Page 2

North Island Brass Band Association.

* t FIFTH ANNUAL CONTEST. b B WEDNESDAY COMPETITIONS. There waa a very fair attendance at s the Theatre Boyal, both in th-i ruorn- i ing .and afternoon, when further pro- t press was made with the solo competi- t tions. Owing to the large number of | entries, tha E Fiat Horn Contest was ' cot completed. The remaining com- 1 pe'itors must be ready to make a start by 9 o'clock sharp to-day or they will lose their chance of competing. The following contests were decided : ; E Flat Bass Solos. ■ G. Hartman, Waihi, " Air Varie " 77 . G, McDonald, Taranaki Garrison, "0, Lively Night".. .. 76 ' W. Pittuaan, Palmerston N. ( "The j Ash Grove".. .. .. 75 . H. Dixon, Misttrtoc, " Fantasie r Varie" .. .. .. 75 1(1 Trtvlnr. KViilmrni " Air Varlft " 70

u. inyior, .tvaiKorai, " air varia <u 1 S. Gearey, Petone, " Mia " .. 69 P. Johnston, Wellington, "Pilgrim of Love " ~ .. 06 F. Kendall, Palmerstdn, " Air Varie" 68 A. Thompson, Palmerston, " Village Blacksmith" .. 61 E. Coyle, Potone, " The Ash Grove" .. .. 60 BB Flat Bass Solos. 0. Davie, Kaikorai, " sth Air de Beriot" .. .. .. 80 A. Lockej, Granite Creek, "Mia" 75 F. Huggine, N.E. Valley, "Fantasia " .. .. .. 75 G. Crosfoi'd, Dunedin, " Wiederkehr" .. .. ..72 E. Fraser, Denuiston, " Wiederkehr" .. .. ..69 H. Reid, Waihi, " Village Blacksmith " .. .. .. 68 C. H. Aldridgp, Masterton, " The Thorn" ~ .. 66 J. Howe, Hauraki, " L e s Bluets " 65 B Flat Bass. B. Holben, Palmerston, " Fantasia" .. .. ..79 A. Baker, Wellington, " Air Varie" 68 A. Gunner, Petone, "Jenay Jones" .. .. ..64 FIRST TEST SELECTIONS. ■.That the public appreciated the opportunity of hearing Gems from Sullivan's Operas (No. 3), under exceptionally favourable circumstances, was

abundantly evident by the enormous t attendance at the Theatre Royal on t Wednesday night, when every part of f the house was densely packed with an 1 audience keenly expectant of a, rare £ musical treat. Nor were they disap- f pointed, for' every band was on its ] I mottle |and each conductor had Ht.udie f the score carefully and well," with the 1 result that although the same pieces were heard thirteen times over there i was no monotony, for with very few ex- 1 ceptioos some fresh beauty vis i continually being laid bare and i presented to the audience. It was a real feast of captivating music, i the strains of. which should be inde- : libly impressed on the minds of all present. The introductory movement was i a very effective march movement from ] Ivanhoe, leading up to a grand lively allegro from the Chieftain, which contains some effective solos, and by no means easy accompaniments, the finale being grandly massive and showy. Then came a short soft andante movement from lolanthe, which acted as a good test of the powers of expression of the bands. This was followed by an andante the " Chorus of Templars " from Ivanhoe, containing some very tuneful and liquid music, as well as some chords of gr<;at power. Then followed what may be called the stumbling block of the selections—an allegretto mystarioao "Heme the Hunter," which is taken from Victoria and Merrie England, and is replete with subtleties of technique, Between this exercise and the gem of the series Minn a pretty andante from I van ho s " Lord of our Chosen Race " which led up to final movement, that lovely " Brother, thou art gone before us" from tha Martyr of Antioch, one of Sullivan's grandest conceptions, every note of which tells its own tile. Those bands which realised that the nearer their interpretation could get to organ music came nearest to the composer's idea and succeeded in producing the moat telling effects. In view of the second test selection our remarks oa the performance ara held over. That the large audience was delighted may be judged from the fact that for nearly five hours the majority sat and listened with evident pleasure to the test selections, and the level of excellence displayed by the bands was so high that hearty applause was bestowed on all, while several were singled out for exceptional favour. TO-DAY, The great event is the marching contest at the Recreation Grounds, where it is expected there will be gathered a crowd larger than bas ever been seen there. It is a performance that will well repay anyone 10 come any distance to be present at, and not only, will tha binds bo seen in the pink of perfection so far as instruments and trappings are concerned, out the music will be such as will not be heard in .New Plymouth for many a day. The function of Tuesday was a record one, but that of to-day should far surpass it in interest, spectacular effect and popularity. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. Tha following report was read at the annual meeting in the Borough Chambers on Tuesday evening : Gentlemen.—Your committee beg to report as follows: It is gratifying to know that the Association has prospered during the past year and a tangible proof of the bands' interest in its affairs is the splendid list of affiliated bands, which numbers 24, and of this number 16 entered the contesting list. Throe of this number are not competing as bands on this occasion as circumstances over which no control prevented them. We feel honoured at having the presence of such enthusiastic bands as 1 North East Valley under Bindmiisttr j: R. Cook, iva korai under Bandinas'fcr E. Strafcton, and Duncdin Navnls under Bandmaster Jus. Coombs. To journey \ such a distance under such n largo ' expense to face a contest and its attendant worries, is certainly a feat ! worthy of our hearty congratulation. From the north we have some nnv bands this year, viz., the Ilaur/iki Rifif s Band under Bandmaster Williams and the Thames Navals Band. Of these only j the former lias come to contest, as I the Navals Band have lost their con- 1 ductor Mr. Lawn, who has gone to take charge of the Stratford Band. J Waihi Band is now under that in- i

riefatigib. e bittd trainer Thos. Mt-llor, E>q., late of Newtown Baud, Sydnty, N.S.W., and is with us to-day. Gisborne and Waipawa are not contesting as bands, but have many representatives present for the solo contests and to help the Association to a stlil more successful end. , The Association has been established! now for ii»e yeaiu and h.,s entire.) its; sixth and e >c'i year has been marked by increased enthusiasm on the part of. those connected with it either at t«njttstiugor in its miaer working, acd its I position to-day is most gratifyiug to its numerous supported and the management. j The financial condition of the Association will, wefeel sure, give renewed confidence and awaken still more enthusiasm in all officers and bands of the Association. Toe thanks of the Association are due to the generosity of the officers (honorary) who have again shown their sympathy in a practical way." Among the various points of business to be discussed by delegates a* this annual meeting is ooe that will commend itself to all. Our fluid of operations is increasing each vear now,

upoi aoLvruo ia iuuqaaiu| eauu yvm uv* } t. and to cope with the expense which £ must of necessity accompany the wotk, t additional funds will be required. The t fact of the local Content Committees t (up to now) whose efforts have been 1 blest with a surplus, and who have in 5 good motive given such surplus over to c their respective town for the extension [ of music operations, is well known, but t it is thought, and justly so, that if i these committees in the future were 1 approached by the Association rul«s >. bearing on the mattor, a small per- t centage of the nect results could be t placed to the Association funds. The 1 arguments in favour of this need not 1 be entered into here, but will, we are <1 sure, receive the bust attention of the ! delegates. • i It is to be hoped that the business of the meetings will be facilitated by I the prompt action of the delegates in I bringing forward any notices of motion that will improye the Association. As the bands have much to do and efforts i should be made to conclude the meetings without delny. > The thanks of the Association will ; , go out to the local Contest Committee for their grand efforts to make -the visitors welcome, tbeir stay pleasant, and the contest a brilliant success. We feel sure that they will not regret tbeir first attempc at a Band Contes-. While o'i this mattor the thanks of - the Association are also due in a special . manner to the New Plymouth Garrison ; Band, who are quite a young organisv

tioo, and have shown their zeal in the cause of bat d music by instigating the first; movement to have this contesheld here. The tfforts of their able aud esteem^d conductor, Mr A. Haigh, and their hard-working secretary, Mr Frank Newell, are certainly entitled to special recognition, as it was through them the matter was taken up. We beg to thank the affiliated bind'' forxfchtir uniform courtesy to us in th' transaction of Association business during the past year, and hope that the j some feeling will always continue I The offiens retire as per rul", and las far us we are aware are all eligible for re-election. We hope, iu conclusion, that the coining year will be as pleasant as the past, and have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Yoars, etc., | M. OoHKBt, j President. Feank J. Oakes, Secretary.