BAND CONTEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 44, 22 February 1939, Page 8

BAND CONTEST

A GRADE TEST SELECTION THE JUDGE DISAPPOINTED f Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 21. No recalls were announced for the first A grade test selection (“The Valkyrie”) Wagner (arr. by Hawkins), for which there were only four entrants in Port Nicholson Silver, St. Kilda Municipal, Wanganui Garrison, and Woolston. “I am sorry to say that I was surprised and disappointed at most of the performances,” said the judge. “I really did expect better treatment of the test piece.” Although the music of Wagner laid itself open to such treatment, the amount of heavy playing heard was remarkable. “There is no necessity for bands to try to lift the roof off. as they did to-night,” he added. They should modify the volume of sound they produce. One of the things which has damned bands with the public in the past has been that they blow too hard. Remember that noise is not music.” Following are the results of lhe own choice selection for A grade bands:—

St. Kilda Municipal. “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,” 130 points 1 Port Nicholson Silver Band. “Rossini Selection” tarr. Owen), 120 points 2 Woolston Brass Band, “Magic Flute,” (Mozart, arr. Rimmer) 100 points 3 Wanganui Garrison Band, “Lorenzo” (Keetley) 99 points . . 4

Captain Shugg said that, in judging this class he had one of the funniest jobs he had ever undertaken because of the wide contrasts in the selections chosen.

DIFFICULT DRUMS SECTION

COMMENT BY ADJUDICATOR [ Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 21. The specially written pieces lor tlie bass drums and side drums were extremely difficult, said Captain H. H. Shugg, who judged these sections in the New Zealand brass bands’ championship competitions. Under the circumstances lhe competitors had done well, he said. “I have been advocating the compulsory use of drums in all band competitions,” said Captain Shugg. “I cannot imagine a band getting anywhere without its percussion section. Because of their being cut out year after year, except for marching, drummers have been discouraged, but every bandmaster will agree that they are a great acquisition. If they are given as much consideration as the brass instruments they will deliver the goods.” The piacings were:—

Bass Drum.—A. Kilmartin (Wellington Municipal Tramways), 85 points, 1; C. Frew (Ashburton Silver), 82 points, 2; H. Sayer (Dannevirke Municipal), 78 points, 3.

Side Drum.—J. Lees (St. Kilda Municipal), 85 points, 1; K. K. Schoe (Dannevirke Municipal), 82 points, 2; J. McLellan (Port Nicholson Silver), 80 points, 3. There was nothing outstanding in lhe playing of “How Merrily We Live” (Short) by the trombone trios, said Captain Shugg. Great benefit could be derived from trio playing and bands should take it much more seriously. His piacings were: —Kaikorai. 84 points, I; Christchurch Municipal, 82 points, 2; Port Nicholson Silver, 81 points, 3; Wellington Boys’ Institute, 80 points, 4; St. Kilda Municipal, 78 points, 5; Dannevirke Municipal, 76 points, 6. Tenor Horns. - R. Francis (St. Kilda Municipal), 94 points, 1: D. Day (Auckland Waterside Workers Silver), 92 points, 2; W. Borrie (Auckland Artillery), 91 points, 3.

8.8. Cornet Solo Announcing the results of the 8.8. cornet solo (amateur) for which the selection was “La Chaste Suzanne (Verroust), Captain Shugg said there apparently was a tendency in New Zealand towards poor tone in cornet playing. A thin wheezy tone was too common. Most of the players had quite good technique. On the whole they had done quite well and he had been surprised lo <ear them play so well. The piacings were: —J. Rennie (Timaru Municipal) 91 points, 1; N. Hewitt (Wellington Municipal Tramways) 89. 2; E. Pheloung (St. Kilda Municipal) 88, 3. Brass Trombone Solo The brass trombone solo, for which the selection was “Bonnie Banks o Loch Lomond,” arranged by Ord Hume, was judged by Mr. James Dixon. The judge said that only three of the 11 entries had really impressed him. The winner’s tone was as fine as any he had heard and he was the only player to give an artistic rendering with correct phrasing practically from the start to the finish. The piacings were: B. Redmond (St. Joseph's Orphanage) 90 points, 1; S. Smith (Kaikorai) 88 points, 2; E. Wells (Port Nicholson Silver) 86 points, 3.