Brass Band Concert

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 16, 30 October 1931, Page 5

Brass Band Concert

From 3YA on November 1

Bs4S88 band concerts are a frequent feature of broadcasting programmes, and they are always acceptable to listeners in general, but addi- ' tional interest will attach to 8YA’s relay from Oamaru on November 1, owing to the fact that this is the first occasion on which the champion. B Grade band of the Dominion has been put on the air. The Oamaru Municipal Band won the B Grade championship in Dunedin in 1930. It secured tlie highest points in both selections, and put up two magnificent performances, of which the judge spoke in the warmest praise. ‘usical critics expressed the opinion that the band’s playing was much abéve the standard expected in the B grade competition. A pleasing feature about the personnel of the band is that with the exception of about half a dozen players, the members are young fellows in their ’teens and early ’twenties. The conductor, Mr. Henry Phe laung, is a native of Oamaru, and belongs to an old family well known throughout New Zealand for their musical talent. His father won distinction as the solo cornetist of the old Oamaru Garrison Band, which, in its palmy days of thirty years ago, was the crack band of the Dominion. Another brother was at one time the premier cornet player of Australia. To Mr. Henry Pheloung’s innate A mse ability, the Oamaru Municipal ‘Band owes its present high standard. The band will render a march and a hymn, the overture, "Sunday Parade," and the selection "Nabucco" (Verdi). Miss Vera Slater, A.T.C.L., will, in addition to acting as accompanist for the evening, contribute two pianoforte numbers. . -Miss Slater is a brilliant pianiste,.and has had a most successful career. In 1922 she was awarded one of the two senior exhibitions offered in New Zealand under the Trinity College examinations. the examiner, Mr. Creser, speaking in highest appreciation of her performance. Listeners are promised a treat in her two numbers. Other artists on the programme will be Miss Pratt, of Dunedin, whose beautiful contralto voice has previously been heard over the air, and Mr. Allan Shrimpton, an exceedingly fine baritafie; who has appeared on the concert piatform under the management of those well-known entrepreneurs, Messrs. J. and N. Tait. Mr. W. J. Hill, a violinist of repute, and Mr. J. McLeon, a singer of songs in the lighter vein, will sunply acceptable items. The Oamaru Savage Club Orchestra is under the baton of Mr. Henry PheJloung, and is probably the finest combination of its kind that has existed in Oamarn. Recent public appearances have won for it unstinted praise. The whole of Sunday evening’s programme has heen carefully selected. and promises to be the most enjoyable "concert organised in the White Stone City for many years,