TEMUKA BRASS BAND.

Temuka Leader, Issue 401, 16 June 1881, Page 2

TEMUKA BRASS BAND.

On Tuesday evening: last a concert and ball, in aid of the funds fop the purchase of instruments, etc., for- the Ternuka Brass Band, took plaice in-jgie Volunteer Hall. The. night was gWiously fine, which contributed in no small degree to the success of the entertainment. Prior to the commencement of- the concert the band formed themselves into a torchlight processioD, and paraded the streets, performing several selections of music, which considerably enlivened the town. On returning to the Hall—which was well filled in every part—the concert com-

menced with an overture by the Brasa Band, "Confidence," in which the cornets of Messrs Stratton and Dickinson were heard to perfection. The piece, tho<rgh a difficult one for amateurs, was well played throughout, and elicited much applause. Mr E. Piibrow, in his song ' The Englishman,' was very successful, in fact we have seldom heard this gentleman to better advantage. He was followed by Miss Tombs, who has improved since we last heard her. Her song, ' Whip p»or Will,' was a happy and she was encored. A duet by Misses Rowe and Rutland, .' The May Bells,' was a comparative failure, the, want of confidence being apparent. Mr Rutland made a decided hit with his song 'l'm King of the Sea,' it being exceedingly well rendered. The cornet duet by Messrs Stratton and DickinscSn from tha Opera of ' Norma ' followed. The blending of these instruments by these gentlemen was really grand, and at the termination of the piece they were loudly encored, when they generously played the last part ove? again. Miss B, Brown in her song 'Home they brought Her Warrior Dead,' was. a success, rendering I it very nicely, and an encore being de-- . manded, she substituted the charming song, 'ln the Glo,:unin', ? an,d narrowly escaped another encore, our opinion being : that the last song was the best. Mr Adams's'Hark the Drum,' was pncored.. This concluded the first part of the pro. gramme. After an interval of ten minutes the second part of the entertainment was commenced with ' The Rustic Queen '' waltz, by the Brass Band, and we must say we: were taken by surprise by the really first-class time kept, and the sweetness of the music, each performer appearing to exert himself to the utmost.. At its termination they were awarded a most flattering encore. Miss MciSTair followed with the favorite Scotch song, •Jessie's Dream,' and notwithstanding her nervousness, did justice to the song. She was loudly en.oored, and in response repeated the last verse. Mr Adams then gave. 'Killarney,' in which song this gentleman was not 'at home, 1 it being, in our opinion, better adapted for a lady'a voice. Mr Stratton's cornet solo ' Star of England Polka,' was a real treat, and in our opinion was the gem of the evening, the encore he received being a most, genuine one. Miss Rowe was the next on the programme, and her rendering of ' Won't you tell me why, Robin,' was. very good, the cornet accompaniment of Mr Stratton being perfect. 1 Mr E. Brown followed with ' The Sailor's Grave,' accompanied by Miss Brown. The instrumental glee ' The Red Cross Knight,' in, which Messrs Stratton, A. Dickinson Brown, Guy, and Rutland took a part wasf very well given, and merited lofid ap- v plause. A song by Mr Tombs cojacViided. one of the best concerts it has been our pleasure to attend. The Misses Cox, Brown, Rowe, and Messrs Harrison and Heap acted as accompanyists. In con-, eluding our report, we would impress upon the members of the Band the necessity of attending practice, and we. feel assured if this is done the Band will, in course of time, be second to none in. the Colony. At the same time we must congratulate the bandmaster en his pre-, sent success, and the band generally on

their efficiency. At the conclusion of the concert the Hall was cleared for the ball, Messrs Stratton, A. Dickinson and Levens, acting as instrumentalists, and Mr P. Thomson as M.C. About forty couples attended and the dance concluded shortly after two o'clock on tiie following morning. The refreshments were provided by Mr Davy.