THE BAND CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIV, 20 March 1902, Page 2

THE BAND CONTEST.

MR OOHKN'S EULOGY. J The president of the Brass Binds Association, and a musician of C3n«ide> - - able repute, Mr M. Oohen, of Palmers- > tOD, is well qualified to express an ■ opinion on the contest. Spoken to on | the subject, Mr Cohen said that the i standard of brass band music exhibited ■ at the content was a decided advance ■ oc that of the previous contest. In ' fact, the progress made in the work or each year has b?en enormous Taking ; the performances of the two or three ] leading bands, they compire very favourably, considering their numbers, with tha performances of any regi , mental or metropolitan band in the Old World. This, of course, does not include famous show bands such as the Garde Kepublicaine of Paris, the national Dind of Francs, and others of a similar status in Europe and England. Referring to the playing of the Wellington Garrison Band, Mr Oohen declares that from a musical point of view there was an absolute superiority in their work over that of all the other bands. Their performance of the second test piece was well nigh perfect, and to the lay mind was absolutely faultless. The performance of some of the other bands was, however, magnificent, mora especially such bands as Wanganui, K*i karai, North-East Valley, Dunedin Navals and Denniston. As showing the interest taken in the contest, &li\ Oohen states tbnt the Waihi Rand imported Mr. Mellor, a noted te-t judge and bandmaster from Australia, to ac v . as conductor for the event. A piculiar fact in connection with the performances of this band was that it was only four points behind Wellington in th<first vest piece, while in the second piece Palmerston was ahead of it. The contest, Mr. Oohen declare-', waa t.lie finest ever held in the co'ony, and he doubts if anything better has taken place in Australia. Even southern conductors agreed that there has never been such a contest in the South Island What added to the import ince of the content, Mr. Cohen points out, is tho fact that it was the first occasion on which the best bands of the South Island have met the leading bauds of the North. The contest was magnificently organised. Everything went off without a hi'cli, and the eo- ' thusiasm displayed by the townspeople { ! of New Plymouth was beyond all praiso. 1 —N.Z. Times. )

THE '• CHAMPIONSHIP" QUESTION. Possibly the discussion that is taking placo ralutive tu the question an to which is tu« chanjpvon" baud may load to th» matter being fettled once and for all by the Association. Lieut. Herd, on being interviewed at Palmerston, pointed out that the points for music at the marching competition did not count for the champ;o;>ship, inasmuch us tbe marching tast is not' governed by the Association, bur, is more of a "gallery " tess instituted for gate money purposes. Ho contends that the challenge shield is a special prize, and that *ha chimpionship is decided entiwly on 'lie pours g «ined in the test selections ; tiieiefoi'd Wellington is fcke champion baud,