AN EXPENSIVE BANE.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 299, 22 August 1908, Page 2

AN EXPENSIVE BANE.

$ It is the intention of Mr J. E. Roach, a millionaire music-lover of America, to provide London with a new sensation in band performances. The date when this will take place is December 26th next ; the place the Queen’s Hall ; and the means by which it can be effected, the “Banda Mexicana.” Military bands we have always with us (says a London correspondent) ; Sousa’s band, too, is familiar , and we have listened to orchestral performances by men of many countries. But Mr Roach’s “Banda” is something quite different from any of them. In the first place he is going to run it more as a hobby than anything else. He is worth 4| millions of dollars in his own country, and has already spent an enormous amount in organising his company of musicians. Every one of them is a pureblooded Mexican, and the band consists of 80 instrumentalists, 10 dancing girls, and five vocalists. With the business staff the company numbers 112. Two years and four months have been, occupied with rehearsals, and the Banda has never yet given a public performance. Mr Roach insisted on each member of his company having had at least 15 years’ experience in playing the instrument he professes, and he claims that he has brought his men as near perfection as possible. The Banda is to make a speciality of “ illustrated music.” Such compositions as “ Custer’s Last Charge ” are to be played before panoramic representations of the scenes the music is supposed to depict, and for this purpose seven big panoramas are being brought over. The Banda is to carry the most complete outfit ever known. Sixty-three trunks will be stuffed with music sufficient to give 100 concerts each with a totally different programme, and another 450 boxes will be required to carry the other properties, which even include music-stands fashioned from Mr Roach’s own design, and each fitted with a miniature electric light The Mexicans will have three varieties of uniforms. For gala functions they will wear white kid costumes that have cost £24 each ; on other occasions the familiar national costume. The expenses of the Banda are estimated at £220 a day. So thoroughly Mexican are these folk that they decline to eat our ordinary fare. Hot, peppery things are what the typical Mexican loves, and three native cooks are to travel with them to prepare the national dishes. Mr Roache’s idea in performing for the first time in London is in order to put his Banda to the critical test of an English audience. If it survives that, he considers that world-wide success is assured. Forty-five concerts are to be given at the Queen’s Hall.