HYMN TEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 42, 20 February 1939, Page 8

HYMN TEST

Band Contest Opens WIN FOR ASHBURTON GARRISON PLACED SIXTH B GRADE COMBINATIONS ON' TOP I Per P««aa Asfociation.) CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 19. -On the whole I have never heard better hymn-playing,” said the judge, Captain H. Shugg, in announcing the results at the conclusion of the hymn test at the New Zealand brass bands' championship which opened in brilliantly sunny weather at the showgrounds to-day. He awarded first place to the Ashburton Silver Band, and second to Christchurch Municipal Band. A feature of the contest was the success of the B grade bands, two of which gained premier honours, while another tied for third place with an A grade band. Conducted by Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, the Ashburton Silver Band thoroughly deserved its win, playing a Welsh melody with rare verse and beautifully mellow tone, particularly in the pianissimo passages. Christchurch Municipal was very little inferior and its second placing was popular with the large crowd which filled the grandstand and occupied all vantage points. The platings were: Ashburton Silver Band. “Plain and Gwarry,” 47 points 1 Christchurch Municipal Band. “Fierce Raged the Tempest,” 46 points - Dannevirke Municipal, “Rochdale,” and Port Nicholson Silver, “Nearer My God to Thee." 45 points, equal 3 St. Kilda Municipal Band. "For All The Saints,” 44 points 5 Wanganui Garrison. “New Rochdale,” 42 points 6 Woolston Brass Band, “Deep Harmony," 41 points 7 Wellington Boys’ Institute, “Deep Harmony.” and Feilding Municipal, “Fierce Raged the Tempest,” 40 points, equal 8 Taranaki Regimental, and New Plymouth Municipal. "Wellspring,” 37 points 10 Lower Hutt Civic, “Jesu Lover of My Soul.” 37 points 11