THE BAND CONCERT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 273, 24 July 1880, Page 2

THE BAND CONCERT.

The concert given in the Volunteer Hal on Thursday evening, in aid of the Brass Band funds, proved a most pronounced success, both as regards the attendance and from a musical point of view; and we doubt whether a better musical entertainment has ever been given in Temuka. Certainly not a more enjoyable one. The attendance must have been very gratifying to tbe promoters. Despite tbe fact that tho weather was by no means favorable in the forenoon, and that there was a counter attraction at Geraldine, the audience was about as large as the Hall has previously contained, it being crowded almost to suffocation. Though we regret to acid that it was a v„-ry disorderly aud.ence at times

Mr Alfred Cox, the President of the Band, delivered an inaugural address. He was in one of his happiest moods. He began by taking exception to thy term used denoting the introductory item on the programme, viz., “ Opening address, A. Cox, Esq.” No doubt many connected the word address with soirees, which meant a meeting where eating, drinking and talking took place. He said ho was there to blow a little bit (laughter). Blowing was not altogether a new feature in a Temuka entertainment, yet there had been very little of it. It had been remarked, as a reproach, that Temuka was very backward in blowing. Thirteen or fourteen years ago there was in Temuka a brass band with a big drum, but it had died a natural death. Since then the blowing had all been done by one individual (laughter). He then referred to the conversation that is reported to have taken place between a former Governor of New Zealand and one of las constitutional advisers, wherein the latter displayed his ignorance of the term “ blow ” as colonially applied. Referring to the work that had been done in organising the band, he said lie felt satisfied that the evening’s proceedings would prove that Temuka could henceforth take a prominent position in the front i ank in the army of blowers in the Colony. He also referred to the position that each individual, in the community should

take with respect to the band. There was a

sporting phrase expressed in two letters P.P., which applied to the present case. It meant “play or pay,” which he trusted would be remembered. All those that could not play

should j) iy. And he concluded a very felioitious speech hy saying tliat ho would con-

sider t ’ey had only hV.f succeeded in the under taking if they remained simp.y as a brass band ; it should be tbe stepping stone to a Choral Society, a complete musical orgauisa - tlon Mr Cox was warmly applauded on retiring

Before proceeding to notice the musical portion of the euteitaiiimcnt, a word or two respecting tne Band itself—the feature of the concert. Though through the columns of the Leader, the public have already been made very fully acquainted with the yet there remains something to bo said Everybody in Temuka knows, or at least ought to, that the Band has only been four months in existence How few could realise it on Thursday evening Even thorough musicans were completely taken by surprise Hardly any one would credit that a band of twenty performers —nearly all raw recruits — could have become so proficient in such a brief space of time. Mr Hadfiold certainly deserves the greatest ‘ kudos ’ for the marvellous success that has attended las untiring efforts To his unflagging energy and undoubted capabilities as a first-class musician must be ascribed the credit of having implant din onr midst such a capital band. The members of it should bo proud of their Master, To them we would address a few words of advice Do not think that so much Success having attended your first public appearance that you can now rest on your oars-. Far from it You are far distant from the goal of perfection You have much to learn, and, before you can attain thorough pro floiency there is plenty of hard work to do Be punctual and constant in attending the practices, cheerful and willing to obey and assist your bandmaster— for his duties arc very heavy, heavier than you can imagine Wo had almost omitted to mention that Mr Hadfield has arranged the whole of the music for the band, a work of no small magnitude —But herein is the secret of his success rs a conductor All the parts have been arranged according to the competency of the performer, and thus no man is asked to do more than he is capable of The list of the performers, and the instruments played by them, was given in the Leader vei’y recently) it is therefore unnecessary to republish it The Bandplayed the following selections during the evening: ‘ Golden Beauty,’ quick stop ; selections from ‘ Martha ’; Operatic selections’ and Patriotic selection ‘The Noble 24th ’

Mr Statham commenced the concert by playing t.ie overture to ‘ The Bohemian G-irl ’ in an artistic manner. He subsequently played an introductory' item ‘ Argyle,’ a fantasia on Scotch airs, in finished stylo Hi s abilities as a pianist are so well and favor ably known, that it would be mere reiteration, were we to say anything further in his favor Tho Committee are deeply indebted tp him for the valuable assistance ho rendered in playing the majority of the accompaniments, and otherwise Mrs Camming and Messrs Pilbrow, Langridge, and Rutland, rendered tho quartette ‘The Sailor’s Song’ very fairly, but it was quite evident that Mr Pilbrow was suffering from the effects of a severe cold, though it was hardly observable when, together with’Mesdames Camming and Stubbs and Mr Rutland he sang the quartette 1 The Tillage Choristers,’ which went so well that it narrowly escaped an encore It was indeed a treat Mrs Stubbs sang ‘ Pretty Fairy ’ and ‘ Only a passing Thought ’ Both were well rendered, yet the audience did not appreciate them as they deserved to be Mrs Camming sang Bishops beautiful and rather difficult composition, ‘Echo Song’ with exquisite taste and expression, though slighty beyond her compasslt was one of tho gems of the evening, and richly' deserved the hearty applause and encore it elicited Mr Cox played a flute obligato to the song, very effectively' Mr Hadfield followed with a cornet solo, ‘ Waves of the Ocean,’ displaying his abilities to the fullest extent and proving him to be a thorough master of the instrument Ho was encored but did not respond Mrs and Miss Cox played two piano duet s which were much appreciated, and received the warmest marks of approval Wrighton’s pretty ballad ‘ Tho Brook ’ served to in troduea Miss Mathias, a new vocalist, to a Temuka audience She appeared slightly nervous but sang.very sweetly-and in response to a most flattering encore responded by singing ‘ Kate O’Shane ’ which was really well worth listening to Miss Brown played the rippling accompaniment to tho song really excellently Quito imparting tho idea of water trickling over the stones in a brook Tho ‘ ABC’ lesson duet was capitally sung by Miss Brown and Mr Harrison Tho former cannot bo too warmly complimented on tho manner in which she not only sung her part but gave the necessary expression to the words, so essential to a piece of this descrip tion Mr Hainison was also very good, the re suit being a vociferous encore which was re sponded to, by the singers repeating the duet Then followed one of the greatest treats of thelevcning an instrumental trioby Miss Mon-is and Master H Morris piano, and Master Gf Morris violin, Dichter and Bauer The young lady performer, together with' her two brothers completely took the house by storm Thair playing being superb and immeasureably r superior to many professionals Tbe applause bestowed on them was undoubtedly well merited and was repeated when the youthful performers subsequently appeared later in the evening Miss Brown sung ‘ Forsaken ’ very well, but it rather lacked expression, however it was warmlV applauded Mrs Holdgate charmed tho audience by singing ‘Killarncy’ and in response to an encore sang ‘ Why do Summer Roses fade ’ Mr

Rutland was rdvev bell cr appreciated than he was on' Tlwrsday evening ‘ The Noble 24th ’ witlmornefc obligato by Mr, Hadfield, literally fWught down the house, provoking the eiWwre of the evening This new patriotic song was certainly rendered with true martial spirit aud wo predict it will become as great a. favorite as the ‘ Six Hundred ’ was of old ‘ Ctod save the Queen,’ by the Band, concluded one of the best evenings amuse mont ever given in Temuka The enter tainment did not terminate until nearly half past 11 o’clock, though the programme had been carried Out without the slightest delay, encor.s and the length of some of the items being answerable for the prolongation of the concert The proceeds amounted to about £3O.