THE BAND CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8036, 26 January 1906, Page 2

THE BAND CONTEST.

PEOPLE'S DAY. GRAND MILITARY MARCHING CONTEST. (Uy our Special Hepnrler.) H.iWHin, January 2!, H p.m. "People's Day" at the Baud Contest here to-day was ushered in line. About 1.1) o'clock llie sky became gloomy and overcast, and rain see il inevitable. The more optimistic of Ihe ollicials, however, opined thai the cloudy sky was an indication of heal, „ n d as ih'e day wore on their opinions were verified, as Ihe sky cleared and it became jbcauifullv line.

Uy eleven o'clock Ihe throng of people in Ihe town was particularly large, and huge crowds early began to make their way to the llawera Race, course by train and bus, to witness and hear the Grand Military March Contest, the big attraction of the day. The train arrangements from North and South were first-class, and brought visitors from all parts of the Province in large numbers. The local train arrangements to the Racecourse were also well conceived'and controlled. . At 12.30 o'clock the bands mustered at the Post Ollice. Each band moved nil' in turn and marched to the strains of a lively quickstep to the railway station, where they entrained for the venue or the Contest. By luilf.pnst ■two the big grandstand at' the Racecourse was filled to overflowing, and it was estimated there were quite 1000 people on the grounds. As the several bands stepped briskly on to the lawn in front of the stand, they were welcoined by peals of hand-dapping and cheering. Five bands competed and when all were drawn up on the lawn, their varied uniforms produced a very pleasing effect. They played m the following order:-—Wauganui Garrison, Palmcrston North, Woolston, Taranaki Garrison and South Canterbury Battalion. The test piece was a fine inspiring march, "Mount Egmont." Sergeant-Major Colclough, drill instructor at Wellington, jjudgecl the marching and Mr W. P.' King, the music.

Wanganui Garrison marched oil' to tliu accompaniment of 11 line ovation from tin 1 crowd, mid all through the piece thi'y were frequently applauded. I'almerslon Xortli mis very well ivceived and lln-ir inarching anil lUL'uiny Has considered good. A\'oolslon in tlieir liluki and innimoii uniforms showed up in i'<m.ss>i<--uous I'clirl alter tin: more sombre costumes of (lie previous bands. After completing lmlf their march, one of tlieir nunilier, Taylor, repiano player, overcome by the Ileal, suddenly fainted! This was a sliee of very bad lurk for Woolsloii, who halted to attend t u tlieir prostrate comrade. When Taylor recovered, the mareli was resumed, Buckley, of the Wanganui Hand, anil chanipioii soloist of the Colony, generously lilling the place of the 'incapacitated player, ft was evident thereafter, however, that the band did not do itself justice, the men being evidently upset by the unfortunate incident. Ap. plau.se, frequent and sustained, followed this bund's performance. Tanumki Garrison started well and got through their marching in good style. Their performance generally was considered excellent by the onlookers and the band was accorded loud applause. South Canterbury Battalion were the last to appear. Tlicy had to perforin in the face ol a line driving rain, which just at (hat moment set in. Their marching was good, and tlieir effort was awarded a good deal of baiul-eliip-l'i'iK, TUT, .IFDGK'S VERDICT, The .Judge shortly afterwards up. pcared, and much enthusiani was dis. played nbeu he gave his verdict, which was U popular one, and us follows;---!

i The massed hands then formed up 01 front of the stand, and under the lialou of llio judge (Mr King) played the rest march. The effect produced was magnificent, and was listened to with rapt atleniion. TilF JUDGE'S CKITICJSM. No. 1 Baud to play (Wnugunui).— From beginning to end a most exoollent band performance, both on the march ami standing. Very few Haws, Grand body of musical tone ami stonily tempo. Side drum elTeclivc. Soprano very sure, Trombones exceptionally good 111 combination,

No. 2 (Palmerston Norlhi.- A good rendering of the march, but not up lo 1 lie very line standard set by the preceding band. Tempo was accelerated sb'ghllyal Ihe hall. No. •.!<Wo„M„n ) ,.-.Y dashing eonibimil ion, tiood volume and richness ? f l !!'"' '•»''•'«■■ IVvformance badly Iliimlicappcl by reason of great pace set by Ihe lug drummer. T repeatedly limed the band will, Ihe metronome, and on no occasion was Ihe tempo helow l;sn, whereas it should not exceed 120. How the bandsmen grappled will, the dillicuhy under Ihe Irving ci,cuuistaiiecs was .(nilc remarkable It is proof oftbcciipabililicsofthc inslrunientalisls.

No. I (Tiii-anakiGarrison).—A sleadv and careful ] ,erforn,ance played wilh good combination, iiaggcl tendencies I conspicuous by their absence. Would prefer more strength from euphonium apd hard one parts, Band has good Style and pjays with discretion, No. a (South Canterbury Battalion). —A steady compact musical combination, March played with feeling and discretion, A really good performance.

COMTLIMKXTAIiV. T.ulcr {lie Judge roniiirkeil •—1 should like lo add [hat on the ivliok Ihc ]>Jii.vuig has been excellent. The "lurch is a stamina-tesling one, anil Hie hands have done il spindly. FINAL TKST yRLIX'LMu.X. WAXCAM'T AYL\S Clou I'lfl/IK. oii.YMi'ioxsiirp and hksson SHTKLU.

(From our Kjwiiil Reporter,) Ha«'Rll.\. 11 ]),])). 'l'lli' flnul lost select ion •• Holniul a llonnmux" was comi-sti-d »| flip Show (inlands wJii.L, as «,„ tin* ])i'ovioiis ov ■ning were l>ri!li;milv 11 luniiiiiitod by serial electric in'.

flalltiliou. !!h>iy was a vm- S\iti'iidiiiu'e of 11,, givalor )l|iii| at the Mrivmuw i H (In- iil'toVm.mi. rin> i-c-iw-ral an':in«cini.iils weir pi'i'liTt in oviM'y particular. Tin' first I'i'izi', valm-il at 1100, was. as ini»ln l„. I'vpi'i-li'il, s.»n K ]|f after. Tlir

sti'auu'i! o\crv elVori Id curry oil' (lie linihims. rnnsimjUi-nllv SHIHC lll'iiuliflll IMHsir Wil> l-IMldcl-t-.1. imi'-li .'ip]ii'('ri;ili'i|. Tlii' ri'mnl ivns v.-rv Hilliusi.-isiir. antl tvrv lilkiul ill Ms ''ippliiiisi' ;is cncli li.-iiul «»i m . mi I" l iu' |unli<.n, iimt Miiv.l a |'i„|, j,| llv _ 'Hp. Aliii'li iiitcri'st I'cnlred in till- ])('[•• I't'l'in:!iuh's (if Ih(. Wiiiigiimii nml AVuol"(<m :is |li.<y wi'iv tlio l'llll'ls ill (111- first trsl pi.-rc, ]il:i.votl tho previous ovoiiinjj. wLuli lVsulW i,J

Wanganui 1 10, Woolslon il:!, So nt Canterbury JJaltalion KM, L'iifinVp.s Io .Vui'tli iu-X ami Ttu'imulki Garrisou UU

llicTVoolston Band wore without c services ol ! one of their chief cornet ayers, but nevertheless found great lavor with the public for their masterly performance. Tlu- splendid performance of AViingauui was received with an enthusiasm equal to the Woolston reception, and the public were keenly on the alert j 0 ]u-ar tile .Judge's decision. AH tile oilier bunds also received good receptions. Tilli JI'DC.'K'iS VERDICT. "We Imvc had a s]ilciidid night's pla.V'i'g,' said Mr Km». •' [ will' p.,t II ie bunds in hvo sections. Two lands were dose ii]i for first honors and two were close for second honors. Ihe remaining hand was a good way olV," -Results

•inifiE'* cKrrrcLsu

No. 1 Band (South Canterbury Battahon).—This Imnd gave a' very pleasurable performance. Very beaulil'ul and sweet in lone, besides having plenty ol volume of the right kind. Horn and Trombone solos were moderately well rendered. Euphonium played very judiciously. This Imnd has 4 lot of method of the right kind. Attack was good and as n rule there was a spontaneity of action which was very commendable. Some of the parts might have been better established. I had some difficulty in picking , lp 2nd and 3rd cornet parts in places, where I would like to have heard them more prominently, but perhaps this was due to the Basses being so near to me.

t*'o. 2 Band (l'almerslon Xortli).— Tliis was another good performance. Opening was rather on slow side and not given with the vehemence required. It should he given vehemently—lhe murk of expression indicates' Hint. What pleased me a lot was the wav some of the parts were established, especially iu the horn solo movements! There were too many wrong notes throughout the rendering of tlie selee. | lion. At times there was a little scrambling tendency, and in places the parts did not: work well together, iiasses were not together in the last , movement from bur 111, and a little further on [he playing became rather wild. T prefer the previous band, a though this band gave me many pleasing points of rendition.

No. 3 Baud (Taranaki Garrison).— Of course this is a dillicult selection lo do, and this band gave me Ihe impressum that il had not mistered 'lie inIricacies sufficiently. Tiie b.injsinen were probably as well ware of (heir weaknesses as I was, i h •rd'orc there is no need for me to enter into any detailed criticism. The band showed some pleasing features, and I trust next time they go to a contest, the players will have their work a little more under control.

No. i Band (Woolston).—A very fine performance indeed. This Bmll has all the qualities of a first-class Band, and the general rendering «-.,« given with an artisl.icness which wis very pleasing to listen In. The Tar in. dole movement was taken somewhat slow, which might have interfered with the real character of the movement. Tho euphonium solo was very beautifully played. Trombones were good, and horn was very satisfactory The basses were splendid. All parts were, well established, and there was plenty of vim put into the finish. No. 5 Band (Wangaimi).~-This performance was another remarkably fine one. The Band hud a very rich'lonc. The playing of this and ihe previous Band was very artistic, and there was a very slight difference in them in qualify. I| seems to 1110 this Band established some very critical parts slightly bctlcr than No. I, hut allround 1 think (here is a slight difference in favor of the latter Band iu its richer tone, BESSON SI 11 ELI).

Wanganui Garrison, which al present holds the Besson Shield, won last year again estalilislied their claim to hold it for another year. The shield is awarded for most points in music, all the sehvtions being taken into aeeouni -that is first and seeond selections and musical points awarded in (he march select ion. The results are: - Wanganui Garrison 357 Woolston -jiSouth Canterbury Battalion ... ;(;iii Pulmorstou North , ;-)->j. Taranaki Garrison

1 4 ?■ 3 CO H=H hnnganiiiGarrison 12(i 170J 2!f(i.J ... 1 Sni||]( UanUTlmi'y Unttiilioi) 121 171 2i)2 ... 2 Taramilii Garrison 117 173 2!)li ... :) Palmcpstoii Xovtk 111! 1(17 2s:i ... .|. Woolslon 11!) 15;! 272 ... "

? * r -i -- 1 'S r n L 7 r-' H 0 Wnngnuui 115 ill! 2;u Wook„» 11':} 115 228 South Canterbury Uiittaliou KM. 105 20',) I'lilmerslon X., 10/ H)1 20S 1 nrannki (rarri.son !IU us l'J2