Relay from Wanganui

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 45, 22 May 1931, Page 7

Relay from Wanganui

Garrison Band Concert

TATION 2YA will broadcast on relay from Wanganui on Thursday, May 28, a concert to be given by the Wanganui Garrison Band. No name is better known in musical circles, for the band has occupied an honoured place on the prize list of every contest for decades past. At present, under Conductor J. M. Watson, it is in splendid form and an excellent programme has bet arranged for its first broadcast concert. The Wanganui Garrison Band was formed in 1882-nearly 50 years agoand is therefore one of the oldest contesting bands in the. Dominion, with a record that few bands, if any, in the world can boast of. A glance at the band’s contesting record shows the reason why the citizens 6f Wanganui are so proud of their famous Garrison Band. It has to its credit 26 firsts, 9 seconds and 5 third prizes-a truly wonderful record. The prize list includes: First prize at the Christchurcia International Pxhibition Contest, 1907, were 29 bands competed ‘and the honour of "The International Prize Band" ; first prize in selections at Dunedin Hxhibition Contest, 1926, and winners of the Australasian Championship (selections and quickstep) at Ballarat in 1910. The Garrison Band is the only New Zealand band that has won the Australasian championship. Famous Conductor. "THE band played under Mr. Watson when it won first prize at Dunedin, and recently, aftér an absence of two years in Australia, this very capable conductor again resumed the baton. Mr. Watson became well-known in New Zealand .through his conductorship of the Garrison Band in the "A" grade tests at the Dunedin Dxhibition

Qontest in 1926, winning both test selections — "Der Freischutz" and "Faust" (Berlioz)-and receiving the high compliment from the adjudicator -Mr. Ricketts (of "Colonel Bogey’ fame)-"that their playing was wellnigh perfect." Mr. Watson was early associated with bands, for at the age of nine years he was a playing member of the band

which won the "A" grade championship of Australia at South Street, Ballarat in 1906, and at the age of 18 years he rehearsed and conducted a boys’ band at public performances in Geelong, Victoria. In 1914, at the age of 17 years, Mr. Watson enlisted for the war. After service in France and Egypt he was selectéd conductor of the Australian Bard that: played before the then Princess Mary and other members of the Royal household, when the Princess, on behalf of the women and children, presented a shield and colours to the Australian Imperial Forces. At the conclusion of the war Mr. Watson availed himself of the opportunity of further study of music at the great English Military School of MusicKnellar Hall. After he returned from the war Mr. Watson was appointed conductor of the Lithgow Band, New South Wales, and at the Sydney Contest in 1923, . he swept the boards, winning the AY grade selections, open quickstep, and "B" grade selection contest. At South Street, Ballarat, this band was again’ a prize-winner. Mr. Watson has not confined his sole attention to bands, for he has had many notable successes in the choral world as a conductor. At the Bathurst Histedfodd in 1922-28 he conducted the Lithgow Orpheus Society to success in every choral section, Grand Choral (80 voices), Ladies’ Choral (30 voices), Male Choral (30 voices) and defeated, among others, Sydney’s leading choirs: ~ Organisation. , "TH broadcasting of the Band's: Honorary Members’ Concert will be welcomed by bandsmen throughout Australia and New Zealand. ~ The, popularity of the band was evidenced when it secured first place at -the Dunedin Bxhibition Contest,- over 100 telegrams of congratulation ‘being re~ ceived from all parts of Australasia, and even as far afield as the Islands., ». The band still retains in -its. ranks: such well-known bandsmen:s as: « W. Hichman, W. Francis, J. J. Collins, R. Boyd, J. Farrell, C. Brown, J. McGrath, O. Williams, R. Burt, W., Miller and H. Hall (secretary). Jon Rat * She hen