THE "KILTIES" BAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3055, 27 November 1908, Page 5

THE "KILTIES" BAND.

A NOTABLE MUSICAL ORGANISATION. The visit of the "Kilties" Band was looked forward to with eager expectation by lovers of music in Masterton, and the expectancy was more than justified, and it is safe to say that never before has a musical oragnisation received such an enthusiastic reception as did the "Kilties" yesterday. The famous "Besses" Band had its attractions but for the average music lover, the "Kilties," with their bright, military spirit, had perhaps more. However, the Showgrounds contained a crowd of-nearly a thousand persons in the afternoon, when the Banc?* which arrived by the mail train from Napier, gave a matinee performance. The programme was a composition of light, popular selections and airs, with solos interspersed here and there, and vocal effects on occasions, the audience applauding each item enthusiastically. The conductor (cornet), the flauhist, and the bass drummer (in bird calls) were exceedingly popular performers with the audience. Pipe-Major Johnstone was; also encored for his selection. In the evening there was a good! audience at the Town Hall, when a varied programme was submitted. The grand march, "Espagnole" (Chambers), was the opening item, and this was played in masterly fashion, the balance being perfect. A piece of considerable local interest followed—-namely, the setting of "William Tell," which formed the test piece at the last North Island Band Contest. The "Kilties" fairly carried the audience away by tbeir | spirited rendering of • this lovely piece, the storm effects and trumpet calls being simply indescribable. The audience loudly demanded an encore, and the Band replied with a shorter, but equally attractive selection. Pipe-Major Johnstone then gave some airs on his fine pipes, receiving an insistent encore. The conductor (Mr A. Cook) followed with a couple of cornet solos, the encore number "Sing me to Sleep," being delightful. The Clan Johnstone troupe of dancers (four) next contributed a Scotch reel and reel 'oTulloch» the performers being encored to the echo. The "Kilties" choir, in "Annie Laurie," provided the audience with an unaccompanied parfc song, which was very pleasing to hear. Undoubtedly, the singing was as entertaining as the instrumental items, and in response to a welldeserved encore the choir gave "Comin' thro' the Rye." Master Willie Johnstone next executed a sword dance very neatly, declining an encore. "Gems of Scotland," by the band and, "}*!&' afraid to go fame Sn the" ! ar k»". given in return. This is a humorousT ii'strumental "turn;" and is replete with extraordinary effects; the band demonstrating its great versatility throughout the selection; and meeting with a great reception from the audience. In the second half of the programme, "Liszt's Rhapsody No. 2," the opening item, was encored. The Johr;stones appeared on two occasions, with sailors' hornpipes the first time and Irish jigs the second, being encored on each occasion. In the grand potpourri of classics, "Creme de la Creme" (Tobani), the band was heard at its best, and was again encored. A3 a finale, the prelude to Act 111. of Lohengrin was given, this well-known Wagnerian composition being a treat to listen to. The whole programme was well selected, well balanced, and well rendered, and the entertainment, has probably never been equalled in Masterton as a musical feast The giant Drum-Major, Donald McCormick, who towers up to the height of 7ft 3|in, was the centre of attraction when the Band paraded in the Showrounda, and in Queen Street prior to the evening performance.