SOLOISTS PRAISED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20738, 23 February 1939, Page 6

SOLOISTS PRAISED

BAND CONTEST DOMINION COMPETITION EXCELLENT BASS SECTION CIIRISTCHURCHM, Wednesday Enthusiastic praise was lavished by the judge, Mr James Dixon, on the competitors in the E. flat or E.E. fiat bass-solo section in the New Zealand championship band contest to-day. The tost piece was "In thq# Deep, Deep Depths” (Ord Iluine). “We have heard a great section this morning,” said Mr Dixon. “A lot of people despise the old monster, bass, but 1 got- a real treat out of this morning's contest. It was a magnificent test. There was ample opportunity for interpretation. The winner .E. Withel) gave a magnificent performance. 1L G. Unwin, who is placed second, had the biggest tone of all, but he had faults I could not overlook. At the same time he is a magnificent bass player. The standard amongst some of the remaining players was so high that I have done an unusual thing in placing four of them equal in third place. All four were very good and there was nothing to choose amongst them." The placings were:—E. Wilhell (Ashburton Silver Band), 91 points, 1 ; H. C. Unwin (Wanganui Garrison Band), 90 points, 2; E. J. Hatton (Port Nicholson Silver Band), A. Spaucer (Wanganui Garrison Band), L. G. Walker Woolston Brass Band), D, nwen Taranaki Regimental and New Plymouth Municipal Band), equal, Bl> points, 3. Tenor Trombone Solos In commenting on the playing of “Brilliant" (Ord Hume) by the competitors in the tenor trombone solo competition the judge (Captain TI. Shun?) said he was not tremendously impressed by the standard shown. The winner (A. Pearson) was quite good. hut. was not outstanding. The placings were :—A. Pearson (Masterton Municipal Band), 89 points, 1; j. P. Cldgue (Matamata Citizens’ Band, 8G points, 2: H. Croucner (Hawera Municipal Band 1 , 85 points, 3: J. Glennie (Wellington Boys’ Institute Band), 84 points, 4. 3 Grade Championship With a margin of 21 points in the aggregate, the Ashburton Silver Band won the B grade championship, of which the second test was played this “I must congratulate the winning band on its performance in both the test selections,” said the judge, Captain 11. R. Shugg. “Its playing was quite outstanding, and I do not hesitate to say that it should be B grade no longer." He complimented all the B grade bands on their playing. The results of the B grade selections were:—Ashburton Silver: First test, 122; second test, 130; aggregate, 252. Dannevirke Municipal: 115, 116 —231. Feilding Municipal. 108, 121 —229. Christchurch Municipal: 109, 114— 223. Wellington Boys’ Institute: 101, 118—219. Taranaki Regimental: 104, HI —215. Lower Ilutt Civic: 105, 105—210. Baritone Solo The baritone solo resulted: —C. Sharp (Christchurch Municipal). 88 points. 1: R. V. Miller (St. Kilda Municipal), 87, 2. Five others tied for third place. “I have not been pleased with the playing," said the judge, Mr James Dixon. The test piece was “Serenata" (Jenkins), and the Judge remarked on the low standard of the playing. “I was astounded at the lack of interpretation,” he said. B fiat. Cornet Championships—Four competitors were recalled for the final. They were: V. Aldridge (Woolston Brass), I. Bassett (Green Island Municipal), W. Stevenson (Woolston Brass) and R. Simpson (Christchurch Municipal). “I have no complaints; I have never heard so many good performances in one session as I have this afternoon," said the judge, Captain Shugg.

The corrected results of the B fiat cornet solo, amateur, decided last evening, are:—D. Chrisensen (St. Kilda Municipal), 91 points. 1; F. Pheloung (St.. Kilda Municipal, 89, 2; J. Rennie (Timaru Municipal), 88, 3.