BAND CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 60, 29 February 1908, Page 2

BAND CONTEST.

FINAL TEST SELECTION. FIIiST J'lilZF; WON BY .MORN 1M HON BESSOif SHIELIS GOES TO AUCKLAND. " lItiKADIi WON BY I'ALMFRSIXIN

There was again a big crowd in t.he Kieureation £porta tArouod last unghU,| for the final test selection, Die audience including a omit number of visitors from all purls of Tarnnaki. The 'TV' grade again opened proceedings Martun being entrusted with the lirst selection. Of the "B" grade bands Die Milium combination hit the public fancy, and they were tendered quite an ovation upon the completion <'f their tune, aud Ul:hearty plaudits of the crowd eontinued until iii'V had in:uv!ied till and dismissed. This .should be Some encouragement to the youngest oi' llie eonte-l-ing bands lo put forth greater elloris. The "A" grade followed, and it is to assert, that never has any gathering in New Zealand been treated to a liner programme of high-elus> hand music, j lir ie-«i pif'e wa* "William Tell," a bright theme which gave scope for i;r-a variation of treatment, 'ill" two or three thousand .judge* on ilk* temce: 1 declared in favor of Mornington and Woolston. aud on tliis their ideas seemed to run along the sa;uc lines : as those of the judge, for the->e bands secured lirst and second place re-pedive-I |y in the test.

The grounds wore Inillijuilly lighted l>y electricity, and all arramtemenLs worked without u hitch. Several hundreds awaited the announcement of llie judge's decision, anil then the crowd melted away into the darkness. .Meanwhile the Mayoress presented the prizes won at the content, Then the bandsmen left the. lieUl, tlie Mormnglon Kami playing a march into U)\vn. And the contest of M)OS was over, so iar as ihe bands were concerned.

The judge mounted tlu; platform :it J2.15 a.m.. and some seveii or eignt minutes ware occupied in figuring oui tli" totals, several hundreds of enthusiasts patiently awaiting the announce rnent. The result of last night's scl-jc* lion was as follows: "A" GIIADE.

Pis. ' Morninglon UU Auckland Ist Battalion .. U2 \\ Oolstoii 140 Nelson Harrison I$J Tavanaki Harrison 125 .Mastcrton .. .. .. .. 125 Hastings Town 124 -li" (;UADK. htlmerslon North Auckland .Mounted llitles .. .. USD Manaia 1-8 Mai'ton Town .. .. .. l-l

"A"' {.IUADi:. Vwad-Uun. J one inn, round, and precision splendid; jjnu-e noier» chl um vci\ neatly. A splendid ivmluion; ilie "storm scene" very convincing. Tempo good, with spirit. Soprano once or twice little uncertain: trombone not. in perfect tunc in all;giVito movement: had and bashes vc/y line. A splendid finale, attack nice and clean, we.i accentuated.

Nelson.—A really good performance, but lacked a little of the spirit of the previous rendition. Not tjuile the -ame tone, especially in the finale, as in the Woolston Band. Hastings.—Opened well, but after a lew bars not 100 clean in the cornets. The solo cornet, however, was the first to successfully negotiate the top "A." over which every previous cornet had more or less stumbled. The band was lacking in precision, and out of Inuj*. Masses were foggy in the 'storm scene." A nicely-played euphonium solo. The duo cadenza was sweetly played. An excellent tempo. On the whole, the individual playing was good, but the band was out of tune. Auckland First Battalion. -Opening broad and convincing: tempo good. The opening movement was nicely playeJ, but the lone was perhaps a little hard. The soprano spoiled an otherwise nice moxement early in ihe piece by striking a wrong note. .Horn and euphonium dim', out of tuue, and cornet shake out of time. The band went into the ''storm >cene" wilh great vigor, the. basses giving a line performance. Tempo good, perhaps a Utile on the fast side. Cood firm tone. A good cornet caden/.t. " I orient s Hoaring*' was exceptionally well played, with line spirit. Kuphonium solo in "Fond Avowal" beauiilnlly played, followed by good corn.'t solo, but soprano came in slightlv out ol i nne. A sweet duo cadenza. Cornets "ongoing exceptionally dean. The band had excellent tone and time in the closing movement, which was generally well pin\ i tl. Finish clean. Morningtoi).—This band opened firn!y, with great volume and full nuril lorn- The introduction was played in a convincing style, the band in perfect I nne and well balanced. The band cx-

'■;'ll(:l in the "sifirm soviH'," every it!

stninu nt in purl'ect tune. The tornnt cadenzn was a Lroal. through to the eml this was a masterly rendition—tile lust yef. A glorious finish, taranaki (iarrison—This liaiul ojjened sleadily. lull the work was not too keen. A elever cornet solo brought the Imml lo a, good linale in the introduction.

J he work was not so clean as with some of ih" oilier renditions, and now and again the band was a little out of tune.

Then Ihe band improved, and the

storm* scene on Ihe whole was yerv I'air, though the basses were a little I'ofiK.v. Soprano lacked correctness. 'I empo good: treatment a little heavy al times, and rough. Cornet and euphonimn duo cadenza splendidly given. Soprano got out of tunc in finale, wlii :h in places sounded cumbersome. A verv fair pciTonnance.

.Uaslerlon.—This band played an excellenl introduction, and the attack was marked with great confidence, leading lo good crisp work. Cornets swcetlv intoned, and bassos playing well. The ■■'storm'' movement artistically treated. A rattling finish, band well in tune, and playing with great precision.

"B'' GBAUK. -Marion.-All uncertain and choppy rendition, the band being bamlicappVl by a fewness of instruments and the conductor being responsible for most if the melody.

Auckland .Mounted iiilles. -The band was frequently out of tune, and had a null tune, due ol the good features was tliu euphonium solo.

.Manaia lirass Band.—A good attempt for a young baud, tint the treatment was rough. Tim band Has well under control, and lairlv well tuned. Cornets were pleasing. I'almersfon North.—As a whole the band played well: by far llie best rendition in 111,, ••li" grade. Soloists wore lr< qiien! ly neak. and the band lacked lone.

.\i a; i:< I I-: TWO IT;ST SKUiCTIONS. .Mornington .. 21)2 Cltlll 1 Auckland Ist Battalion 2Sti d.5 2 Woolston .. o--, op k Nelson Ibirrison .. 271 —'( laranaki l.larrison .. 2o!l > ■• '.M -i; .Masterlon .. tt 2oit -- 7

| "IV' CUADE. I I'alinersioii .North .. 265 XIHI 1 Auckland Monnteds .. 257 Hi 2 Alartnn .. .. _, 250 lIKSSOX siItULD POINTS. '['lie liaudsomc Bbsboii Cbalbuige isi!f'?! at- £<so, presented to the -V Grade baud obtaining the highest a.t-'gi'egaie points in both seleciions and lor the Quickstep Competition!

i , , , -L'ts. Auckland Ist Battalion .. 381 Master,on .. .. .. | .>« n W nolsion . . . , or| Nelson tinrnsou .. .. laranaki •• :: :: m IiOOSKV Silll'.ld) I'HINTS. The ISnoscy Shield presented to the "II" tirade band obtaining llie highest aggregate points in both .-elections'and for music in Quickstep CounHilion was lakeu by PI s. 'Paliner>ton N'orth .'1.17 Auekland .. .. ;j3;i Marlon Hlil

I f.-fiat iionxs. | The solo coi)i]M'filimi- were conelnded [ veslevdav 1111, riling, ivlicn I1i« lv|| : i; ITorn s,,lns W"re divided. The result Wil*'. ■ C. 7F:insc-ii (Xhlmhi). I-'a(!iOi-l;md fi" points ; 1 •T. May (TTiistinQs). fil pninls .. ■> 1;. Douglas (Xelsi>n\ and 11. i ■ rer'i (Moi'ninjvton). (10 points earli .. 3 Also competed: T. Williams (Ist Bat-

talioii) and L. t'iivc (Taranaki) jjoinis each. -I. I'ru-dn (Ist Battalion) r»H, A. .McNeil lllawcra) .18, 1,. WwidelIjmi 11 (LylU'lU.ji.i ami S. Kreoman (Wool>lon) 07 oaclt, (I. Wilson (WoolMon) -jli, K. ,MeKinley f>l. H. Cray (.Uasterton) -Vi. 'I ho judjjc remarked lluil iji several the j work had lifcni exceptionally good.

Id i'lioMl'M SULU. ill our i'l ye-lel'day lie- name <T K. wliiiKi' (Aiu-klaml 1.-i Hallaliotij wa-. mnitl< d iron: the mueossful eonipetiior.-, in (he euphonium >olos. The i',.-till s-lioiiN have read: - - 11. Kstall I.WouM mi), fiii points .. j \\ . K. Wiliule I 1-1 I >:l i l ;i, ii.'ll; j til points .. .. I 11. K t'luiiiy (Taraiiaki), li;i puinU.. ;i solo, tuio. and ui'autkttk AWARDS.

The loUuwhlg i> a complete oi the awards: At v K(.AM) RUST BAT i'AUoN. Baritone.- W. Munro. Nt. gold medal. ouarteiUv - M. silver m<*dal. H-lliU Has.',. - W. t.'ro*dn, Ist. ooM medal. Iti Trombone. - 11. i., Mill. 2nd. -ilwi' I medal. Iv.ndioniiini.— \V. K. Whittle. -lid. -»ivi■ i" I i i l i'd :l I.

IMkii Troisilion.-. !!. Ta * I«ir. l-o. g »'d ipeda I. Bass Drum. - 11. I'hiiiipv. 2nd. .1! ;r medal. Woo! sTO\". I'M la t Cornet -• S. William-*. !-i. go 1 I medal. !•] Hal. Ba - K Wilson, I-;. Mold medal. B-Ilal. Hiiss. Ciillop. 2nd, ,-il\«r medal Kwplmnium.—lt. Kslall, li-t. gold medil. I!li liass.—W. I-Viiton. Ist. gold modal. NELSON CAIiItISON. Jlaritone. li. A. Day. '2nd, silver medal. JMlat (.'unlet. - A. lierrymaii (Lie), 2nd, iilver medal. Ivllat, iloriiM. - • C. Hansen. l>t. <u)!d

medal. Side Drum. W. WooduUl'd, Ist. j»u:d

modal. (Juartette.—lst, gold medals.

HASTINGS. IMlat Comet fc\ i'"ox. Isi . ;>old medal. K. flat Horn —K. May, 2ml. silver medal. Jtass Drum. J'\ Ton kin. Ist, »o\l modal. Side Drum. - 11. Millier, 2nd, silver medal.

AYAXIIAXU I. Morn. —K. Could, KL <jold modal. IMlat Conict.—R. Crvsell (tie). 2nd, .silver medal. Till Bass.—A. A. Ciillirk-. 2ml, silver medal. IMlat Trombone. S. Slv, 2nd. silver medal. TAIIAXAKI. Filled Horn. (J. I'earce, 2nd, silver medal. Kllat lias>. K. Steele, 2nd, silver medal. (.! Trombone. • A, Hundley, Ist, medal. ! SPECIAL PRIZES.

IMlat Silver-plated Cornel (HawkoO donated l>,v Messrs. flawkes and Son awarded to seiond band in the "A' tirade was won by Auckland Ist Ha l .' lalion.

A Silver mounted Baton, presented ev _\lv. •!. W. Copuborne, o'i' Wellington, presented to {.lie winning hand in the

"A" Crude. was awarded to Ml'. E. Smitli. Mornington conductor. A Cold Modal, presented by the Collier and Colonial Piano Company, of Now Plymouth and a\vard"d to the "IV' tirade band obtaining the mo.*-! points for music in the tost selection*. •joes to the Auckland Mounted Killes.

A Cold Medal, presented by the New Zealand Clothing; Kaetory, awarded io Drum-Major of winning band in Quickstep Competition, becomes the properly oF K. P. Lister, Drum-.Major of the Tar.tnaki Carrison.

Two (.old Aletlals presented by Drorjden Piano Company, awarded as first prize in K-flat and Bilat cornet solos, were won by S. Williams (AYoolstouC K-jiat. and A. Berrvman (Nelson) and P. i'ox fll'astinirs). fi-llat, who tied. An extra medal will be awarded.

TIIK CARDKN PARTY. Tin' garden party, which was postponed from Tuesday on account of the rain. eventuatc<l yesterday in glorious neither. The a tteudance was good, hut not nearly as large as would have been the case had the function been hold on Tuesday, for then it would have solved as a public introduction to the han'k The garden partv was arranged i»f course. in order to give opportunity for the flavor to extend the customary citizens' welcome to ilio visiting ljands, hut this became hardly necessary when the all'air eventuated 011 tlie last day of the contest. Xevertheless. nearly two thousand people attended yesterday. and were well rewarded by it wclldiversiliod programme of music, eacli l.anl phiving a selection of its own , j choice. The Woolstou Baiul was recalled In' the niiblie, who were immensely pleased with a tuneful rendering of 'Tl'« Last Chord " The Xelson Garrison received a similar compliment, Imt principally on account oi the splendid exhibition of dniin-l>eating by Drummer liermnan, wlu-e performance came as an <vo-opener !a many. , A', ith an eye to the comfort of the I banlsnii ii, 11..' ' .ci'iitive arranged for the wc'leeniMiQ' soe-ch to be delivered in ; the. shade of the hill on the western siih of the ground, the heat being uneouifortiible ill the centre of the arena. Mounting an extemporised platform. Ilis : Worship the .Mayor, .Air. E. Doekrill, chairman of the l.and Contest Comniittee, extended to the bands a belated but none (he hearlv welcome. I here could be 110 doubt, ot the warmth of the welcome, or o( (he deep appreciation of the music, for these had been indicated by the large gatherings of the public. His Worship went on to refer to the object of this gathering of thi ''amis 'rout till parts ot the Dominion, the aim being to improve the standard of 111-ass band music, which, after all. was the people's music. He considered that jii that respect the 11108 contest had been remarkably successful, It was I'jec in r to notice the interest that the «as now taking in the junior hands, tie believed that the action of the As>ociation on Ihe previous night in arranging for a separate test selection for the "IP grade was going to have a remarkably encouraging effect on the "J!' gi.ule bands, and that soon manv oi these would be found amongst the leading bands in the Dominion. Ilis Worship expressed (lie hope that the bandsuuu had thoroughly enjoyed their visit here, and that they would take aivay with tlieni pleasant memories of their slay. On 'behalf of the townspeople he assured tlieni that the excellent periormances of (he various bands had been 1 lot'ouglily appreciated. u „d that when the, tunc came again in the ordinary course lor them to have the pleasure mice more of giving the baud contest a home the honor would be as fully predated and the. welcome as h'eartv as on this occasion.

! isNoV'i'. the Xort!, and Liass Bands Association, in the I So ir 0f tllu I >vesill ™tI.inkul His AAorsliip for (] U . killl , ~( 1; . ' thp t,, ";nsvuoi»l l! for tlio lio.nrtv wtli-oino, and the executive Cor tl, ( . n "'f" K '" ls Me u -.snivel the K«tlim n g that tin- bandmasters and landsmen would i)( . ( „ ( . om( , * I" -W I lymoiilh. ,\ t |, is "; , r,f rc !! for the-citia.ii«. the Mayor. ."Kl Ihn Hand t.onlost executive. with « spmal salvo for tin- mutest secretary. ■•ii 10 ' ]• ,' o,l "' n ™"arked, had done the lion s share of the work " j conducting "out™,* Howl | The following programme of music was then rendered from the platform in T. ltr \, of . t,l(> ground, the public indicating their pleasure hv rounds nf !!!l P !,r ,i,e ;,~ Auckland First Battalion, Ijnlliant- : Auckland Mounted Billet •\Vaveney ; Hastings, "nrilliam": Aranaiii, -The Veterans"; Marlon Iim"; Wasiert.Hi. "In Storm and SuiishiiU'": Mnrniimton. "Austral .Xelsttn Oiarrison. ''Victor Her Wt": "almerstoii Xortl,. "Sazlletta": WooWnn, '-Lost Chord": Taraimki Oar-l-ison, "Joyce's 71st'' March

The Imidsmeii .md friends, nliout five hundred ill! told. weiv enleri.pned at .lltei'nonn |(t-| I,\ tin- bdir->' eonillliitee.

('"H.sisliu- 111' (I K , Mayoress. Mrs. Duel; i'i!l (president). Mesdames MeOnnnell

V.. M. Sniilh. F. Xewll. F. TTi.-Tuinl~. " .rm-v. Tliiik. F. 1-:. Clarke. X. Allen. ■I. Smiili. Simnionds. Handler. and

(Vl)n«.„ll. Misses IV-aree. Kielmls. MeComHI. Miii'lin. and Paul, 'l'll*. lei imivide,] ivm <.f (lie n-ual hiir'i -l ind-.u'd sunulied Uv (he Xew Vlvmnnili ladlV. H-illl \ f c]id"i| 11,., if

i,il:ilii>- {., fie l un'ici il-, ~,,,1 utlio l ' Io !,e driviivr excellent l>nsiness. Tlle Ideal rnnlesf ronimiHee's vork i< not quite done. Tt lias In on a liusv l ; nie for them for months past. and in Ihe last week tlio slrain had been a. hcivv

oiK', morning, noon, and night, livery oilicial well deserves the success Unit lias been achieved, and also the thanks of the public for the maimer in winch the contest lias Ix-en decided. The bands leave tor '>u-)i in rptcui) umiji thu morning at 0.30.

THE JUDGE INTERVIEWED. j " LS* EXCEPTI ()X ALLY lilGii | STAXDAIiD. When llio results had been announced a "Daily Xews" , J'cpiusunt itivc had a short chat with Lieutenant lienl. who looked worn out with tile continuous strain of the judge's box. .Asked lor his opinion of tlie jilayiiiy oi the band . u said that the general playing had lieen remarkably good. The winning band would take a lot of beating. "It's detail work was good, tone good, phrasing good, and expression good; in fact, take it from any standpoint, it was really a ] very line performance indeed.'"' The nrst | four kinds all played well, pirtiei'larly, | though, the lirst three, he said. Tlie standard set by Moruingtou was of an exceptionally high order. [ "Have you anything tn -:ty regarding the 'J" grade hands 1" asked the reportel'.

"Oh, yes. 1 would like to say that ; the form shown throughout by the bauds iu the Mi' grade quite surprised me, particularly in their elforts to wrestle with the diliieiilties contained in the I •liems of Schumann.' The manner in | which they rendered that selection \va.s very creditable indeed." Lieutenant Herd went on to say Hi it every attention had been shown him by the contest committee during his slay, and lie had been made very comfortable indeed ill Xew Plymouth. He had been very kindly treated. He was pleased with the arrangements made, and said that playing tlie selections in the open-air had made the judge's lot I far more pleasant tiinn it would have been had he been boxed up in a building. lie bad b.ul no diiUcnlty at all In hearing tlie music. "One more question. You judged the ibands at the Ballarat contest in 11)01. How do you think tlie Mornington Hand's performance compares with.tlie best bands competing there?" "I can only say," lie replied, "that the Mornington Band's performance would stand anvwlierc in any company."