BLIND INSTITUTE BAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1939, Page 7

BLIND INSTITUTE BAND

EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT LAST NIGHT. ENTHUSIASTIC & APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE. An excellent entertainment was presented in the Municipal Hall last night by the Blind Institute Band. The audience was a most enthusiastic one and practically every item was encored. The band’s tour has been a most successful one and bandsmen speak in the highest terms of the hospitality extended to them on their visit to Masterton. Prior to last night’s performance, the Masteyton Municipal Band played outside the hall and later the two bands played together in several selections, partly under the direction of Lieut. G. W. Eowes, bandmaster of the Institute Band and party under the ' leadership of Mr G. W. Hutchinson, conductor of the Municipal Band. The programme was well varied with 1 band items, xylophone solos, vocal ’ solos, humorous sketches, pianoforte solos, dance music, Braille reading, * cornet solos and piano-accordion solos. ■ A feature of the evening was the outstanding performances by A. Morton, 1 champion New Zealand cornetist for 1 two years, while "Peter,” who is weli ; known to radio listeners received a • hearty welcome. All the items were 1 exceptionally well done and were a 1 revelation as to what can be achieved by those afflicted with blindness. *■ Mr G. W. Pilgrim, tour manager. £ thanked the hosts and hostesses for the e great hospitality extended to the members of the band, which had made their c visit to Masterton most enjoyable; and the Optimist Club, Rotary Club, Wo- t men’s National Welfare League, Scouts *■ and the Press for their valued assist- I ance. Mr Pilgrim referred to the death of Mr R. J. Young, late conductor of the Masterton Band. Mr Young, he said, had always given the utmost assistance to the Institute Band on the occasions of its previous visits and he and all members of the band very much regretted that he was not present that night. The Institute Banc 1 deeply appreciated the assistance given by the Masterton Municipal Band. p An apology for absence was receiv- v cd from the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan. j During the afternoon the band gave o a concert in the Wairarapa College As-1 & sembly Hall, where it received an ex- ~ cellent reception.