THE "KILTIES" BAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3113, 11 February 1909, Page 5

THE "KILTIES" BAND.

RETURN VISIT TO MASTERTON. The famous Canadian "Kilties" Band paid a return viist to Masterton yesterday, when the Band gave a matinee at the Town Hall in the afternoon and a concert in the evening. Both were largely attended, especially the evening performance, at which"the audience was one of the most appreciative that has ever attended an almost purely musical performance..

In the afternoon the Band, headed by their stalwait giant drum-major, paraded the town prior to the matinee, giving trumpet and bag-pipe marches en route. The matinee programme was composed, exclusively of popular selections, which were all warmly applauded, and in a number of instances encored. The Clan Johnstone troupe also gave items In the evening the Band, which was played to the Hall by the Masterton Municipal Band, opened their programme with ..he bright and tuneful march "Boston Commandry," by Carter. This was encored, and a short but dainty selection followed. The overture to "William Till" (Rossini), that magnifi.ent composition which has lately enjoyed remarkable popularity in New Zealand, was the next item, and in this the Band played with a true recognition of the composer's idea, and in the crispness and accuracy of the staccato passages

they excelled. The effort nvas received with enthusiastic applause, and the Band, replied with a light popular air, which gave Bandsman R. Clark an opportunity to render a sympathetic solo on the sliding trombone. Pipe-Major Johnstone was encored for a bag pipe solo, which was the succeeding item. "Through the Air" was the title of a spritely selection by the Band, in which Bandsman D. MacArchur gave a cleverly-executed piccolo solo. The number was encored, as was the Scotch reel given next by the Clan Johnstone troupe. The rendering of "Annie Laurie" by a choir of twenty voices was a very fine item, and was received very favourably, the encore number being a humorous sketch about a schoolboy's joke on his teacher, which resulted disastrously for him. The sword dance by Master Willie Johnstone was well received, his turn being followed by the Band selection "Gems of Scotland." This item abounded in the tuneful ballads so well-known in connection with the land of the heather, and it was deservedly encored. The second half opened with a "Serenade," in which flute and French horn solos b'y Bandsmen Mac Arthur and Burnham were pleasing features, these executants showing themselves to be most capable and sympathetic players on their respective instruments. The audience demanded an encore, and also vigorously recalled the Clan Johnstone troupe for their wonderfully nimble exhibition of a hornpipe. "Wedding of the Winds" (Hall) was a Band selection of a popular and pretty order, but the encore number to it, "A Cavalry Charge," was still more favourably received, the mechanical effects giving the item realism being cleverly conceived. The Irish jig by the Clan Johnstone trouge was re-demanded twice, this talented family being in great "trim" at the evening performance. The finale was an instrumental selection entitled "Hurrah for Harrigan," and its general scheme was a jovial, rollicking conception, which a military band like the "Kilties" could handle to perfection. The whole performance was an excellent one, every item being encored, several twice. ) The Band will play at Pahiatua this evening, when the public of that town ' will be afforded a rare musical treat. | The Band will also appear at Eketa- | huna on Saturday.