AUSTRALASIAN BAND MUSIC

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 169, 26 October 1910, Page 5

AUSTRALASIAN BAND MUSIC

WAXGANUFS EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE. GREAT IMPROVEMENT GENERALLY. By Calile-—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, October 25. The King's Trumpeter, Mr. Shortt, judge in the Ballarat Band Contest, reviewing the work of the band contests, said that the euphonium playing was generally weak in tone and style. The cornet contests were splendid. He had never heard better phrasing and tone. The solo tenor horns made cent per cent strikes, while the middle and inner parts of the Australian bands had increased in expression and tone by leaps and bounds during the past two years. Ballarat. October 25.

It is estimated that 15,000 people were present in the City Oval for the final of the band contests. Twenty-one bands, representing six hundred bandsmen, competed in the various events. The principal interest centred round the firstgrade contest, wherein the Premier Victorian bands met the crack New Zealand combination.

A notable fart was that Wanganui was allotted 174 points only in tlie test selection from Weber's works, against 208 scored by Prahran, 108 by Collingwood. and 191 by Ballarat City. The test was played late at night in a bitterly cold wind, making it necessary for players to run about, in overcoats to keep their blood circulating, while it was difficult to get the instruments warmed up to the work. This suggests a probable cause for Wanganui's comparatively poor display. The judge's remarks were that he considered Wanganui's test "a close and well rendered selection. 'Skill and artistic temperament were shown in the interpretation." It was in their own selection, "The Valkyrie," that Wanganui took the judge by storm. He declared it was an extraordinary performance and a treat to listen to. The New Zealanders' success was greeted with great cheering. THE BAND TOURING. Received 25, 9.40 p.m. ■Melbourne, October 25. The Wanganui Band has arrived here. They leave for Sydney on November 2. The band will give a concert at Albury on Friday.