CITIZENS' BAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1916, Page 7

CITIZENS' BAND.

BANDMASTER'S REPORT* A meetings of the Citizens' Band Committee was held on Tuesday evening last, Mr. K. Sole, (chairman) presiding. The bandmaster, Mr. McLeod, reported:— "Practices.—l am pleased to be in a position to state that our regular practices have been well attended, and I would like to record my appreciation of the efforts of the men in this respect. The few exceptions I purpose with. The class of music being submitted at our periodical recitals is gradually improving, and we are making satisfactory progress all round. Two former members of our band, Messrs. Rush and Armstrong, have returned to the ranks, and they have been made welcome, especially as they both are cornet players, this section having been our trouble for some time. Mr. Rush is playing soprano (his old instrument), and Mr. Armstrong will be a good help to the first cornets.

'Who Juniors.—This branch of our work is also getting along in a very satisfactory manner. The instrumentation is as follows:—One soprano, two solo cornets, two repiano cornets, three second cornets and three third cornets, throe tenor horns, two baritones, one euphonium and a second euphonium, one tenor trombone and one G bats trombone, two Kb basses, one side drum, Later, additions to the class include boys on cornets (2), trombones (2), and horns ( 1). Asa matter of fact, I have a greater number of boys than there are instruments for. The older section are now playing a few hymn tunes and other little pieces in a creditable way, and T am hoping to bring them out in public soon, if only to play a couple of items at one of the. senior band's recitals.

"The Music Library.—At an earlj date now I am hoping tt thoroughly re-model the music library. A cardboard bov system will very likely be adopted, especially while the bamlroom is situated I where it is, which, I am trusting, will not be for long. We liavo nearly got a sufficient supply of cardboard boxes from a number of oui local drapers to enable us to make a start on this work, and we will be then in a position to properly catalogue the music land dtassify it. Now and again 1 have been able to pick up an odd chair or two at local auctions, and we are now in a position to "seat" all our players at the regular rehearsals,

which makes the work ever so much more comfortable, and what is more, I haye found that I get ever so much bettei results from this method.

"Recitals by Band.—These have been held at the breakwater, Kawaroa Park, the General Hospital, and at the East End Pavilion. Two others were arranged foi at Fitzroy and at Mr. Cock's residence, but the weather was against us, both having to be abandoned on account of heavy rain. ''Parades, etc.—Wo have attended send-offs to Reinforcements on July 24, August 21 and September'lß. On August 4 we managed to get a sufficient number of bandsmen together to carry out the musical arrangements for War Declaration Day. August 24 found us playing for the Red Cross entertainment. The Hunt Club race engagement eventuated on Thursday, August 31, and the men gave a good account of themselves, receiving many compliments on their efforts. Dn Friday, September 1, we organised an entertainment in aid of the High School boys who suffered by the recent fire, and this pro-

mises to turn out specially satisfactory. We --re only awaiting the return of some tickets before giving out a public statement. In this connection I have to thank Mr. and Mrs. A. Macdonald, Mrs. Wilkes and Messrs Ellis and (ioldsworthy for valuable assistance in the programme items. Others contributed liberally in money and kind, but those will be acknowledged another way. On September 10 we took .part in the veterans' parade to St. Mary's Church, and got a proper drenching on the march from the church. Tuesday, Septcmbci ]■>, found us at the East End pavilion, doing our share towards the enjoyment of those present, at | the farewell to the late secretary (Private Hocli), while on September 10 we carried out an engagement at Kidgway's show. Altogether we paraded fourteen times during the period under reviewless than three months—so that the average ia over one parade per week, not to speak of practices. •TJeneral.—On August 20 the bandsmen made a presentation t< Bandsman Mason, who recently left with one of the Reinforcement drafts. It took the form of a wristlet watch, and the departing bandsman was given a good send-off the next morning nt the train.

''l think it would be advisable if the secretary were instructed to try and procure a set of cymbals for use in the descriptive music which nve now and then submit.

"Last week Messrs Copithorne, music sellers, of Wellington, sent me a dozen pieces of music to look through, and I have selected six of these, which I consider we can do with; the remainder can ■be returned. I also had to send for two mouthpieces for trombones for learners. Those have come to hand."

It was decided to procure a set of cvmbals.

Votes of thanks were accorded to Messrs TSellringcr Bros, for pointing signs; Wests', for painting names on boxes; Mr. Saunders, for displaying boards; and Sir. Tuubridge, for typing rules.

Yesterday afternoon there was a great gathering at the Breakwater where the Band gave one of its very best programmes. That this was fully appreciated by the many on the hillside, the pier, and the beach goes without saying, and tii«: net result (£10) to the Band's coffers was not altogether proportionate, when one considers how many hundreds of people had congregated about the pier. It must have been ire-provoking to the officials to note .ar-loads of people motoring down and never proffering a copper, even! The Band's programme commenced with a now piece, "L'Entente Cordiale," which opens with the National Anthem, with other musical formations interwoven. The piece then merges into •The. Marseillaise," "The Red, White, and Blue," and "Rule Britannia." This proved immensely popular, so much so that at a late." stage, the Band, by special request, repeated the item. Bandsman .1. Dr.iry being absent through illness Sir F. Klgar'- grand piece "Lund < f Hope and Glory" had to be omitted, and ir its stead was given "Sullivan No. I"—"The Pirate of Penzance." Other item« were: Mnivh, "Step Along"; "Largo" (Handel); "For King and Country" (Riir.mer); "Melody in F." (Rubinstein); "Simeon" (Ord Hume); and the hymns "Kyn<> Eleisou" (Mozart), and "Lead, Kindly Light." Mr. K. Sole, chairman of the Citizens' Band Committee, reports that several 'dd instruments had been*lonatcd for the Juvenile Band that is to be established, but many more arc wanted to make the venture a success and the Committee and Bandmaster rely on the public to give the project every support. Instruments or cash, may be sent to Mr. Sole, who will at once acknowledge same. As a result of the Band's splendid exposition at the Breakwater yesterday iftcrnoon, donations amounting to £2 12s were thrust upon Mr. E. Role (chairman) for the purpose of providing iu-strumi-Hls for the Juvenile Band.