PRACTICE IN AMATEUR BANDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1794, 5 January 1884, Page 2

PRAC TICE IN AMA TE UR BANDS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — It is a well-known fact that the majority of amateur bands, when they have done their summer engagements, hang up their instruments, leave off attending practice, and content themselves with resting on their laurels until the summer is within " measurable distance " again. Then, what wonderful alacrity and burning enthusiasm do these same people exhibit in the cause of music? Practice becomes a pleasure at the approach of Whitsuntide. In fact it would appear to one that the claims of musical study go away " like the swallows," and return only at a certain season. This, lam soriy to say, has been the deplorable style of the Hamilton band for some time past, and it needs little reason to perceive the folly of such a practice. It is in the winter timo that preparation ought to be made for the summer, instead of adopting this " touch-and-go" system, which, when music is required, is all " neck or nothing with them. Of course, they cannot see why they should not play as well as the bands who have been practising hard all the winter. Their argument is that they all " read" well, and everything ought to go with a little practice. Now, Sir, these are ideas that make a band of " blowers, _ not "players." Another thing that I may mention is the objection entertained among this class of amateur musicians against private practice, and more especially practising their parts singly, I am convinced that if this was more enforced we should have fewer '• instrumi n1;n 1 ; carriers' than there are, I know I am only one of a great number who have these things to contend with, and I take the liberty of alluding to the matter to try and convince these " summer musicians" of the unreasonableness there is attached to their expectations.— Yours, &c, B. M. Hftunitotoj Jw. 4tfy 1884.