GISBORNE CITY BAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2438, 1 March 1909, Page 5

GISBORNE CITY BAND.

RETURN FROM HASTINGS. On Saturday morning the Gisborne. City Band, which has been competing in the, “B” grade in the twelfth annual contest of the North Island Brass Bands Association, which' was this year held at Hastings, returned to Gisborne. The Newton (Auckland) Band 1 , which was competing in the “A” grade,, and-was also homeward bound, by the courtesy of the manager of the Union S.S. Co. (Mr. J. W. J. Preston), accompanied the local band ashore, and marched with them to the band-room, playing spirited music. On reaching there Conductor A. E. Lawrence briefly thanked the Newton Band for their courtesy, and cheers were given for the visitors and their conductor. At noon the Newton Band marched to the wharf, where a large crowd had assembled to farewell them. The band played a selection on the Tuatea, and as the launch steamed away from the wharf they played “Auld Lang Syne.’L Conversing with members of the City Band, a pressman learned that a very pleasant time was spent at Hastings. The band had been lodged at the Grand Hotel, the proprietor of which had generously' donated £3 3s to theirjffinds. The'band had failed in the Quickstep, but they had secured third place in the test selections, being defeated by Petone by' 17 2-5 points and’ by Hastings by 3 3-5 points. This was considered to be very creditable, and spoke eloquently of the manner in which Conductor Lawrence had trained his combination, The marks gained in the “Songs of Northern Scotland” were as follows, the maximum points being given in parenthesis:—Tone 32 (40), intonation 33 (40), attack and precision 16 (20), phrasing and expression 16 (20), tempo 30 (40). ensemble 13 (20), solos 10 (20). Total, 150. The points gained in the own choice selection, on Friday evening, when the band played “Mercandante,” were 195, making a grand total of 435 points. In the solos B. Williams had received second in the flugel horn competition, and C. Clayton second in the B flat bass, each of these players receiving a silver medal. W. Harris, in the euphonium solp, got third place, and W. McKinnon a similar position in the baritone solo. It was pleasing to members of the band that at the annual meeting of the Association, held on Friday' evening. Conductor ’ Lawrence was made a life* member of the Association, with which he has been connected almost from its inception. Mr. Harold Piper travelled to Napier with the Band, and play’ed the accompaniments to the local soloists. Mr. E. Spurdle acted as drum-major, and Mr. G. Busckc carried out _ the duties of management satisfactorily.