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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1899)
THE BATTALION. 11 BAND CONTEST AT SAN ANTONIO. The main building at the fair grounds was full of music on the 6th of November. There was music and music— all kinds and quantities of music, from the sweet old melodies to the classic brand, which only those who have been to the con servatories can appreciate, to common and well known modern airs. Band Contest Day, and all day long, the goddess of music held complete sway over the whole camp. It was a glorious day for the local and visiting lovers of music. Itwas just the kind of entertainment that suited them, and they were out in force, UotwitUstanding the wet weather. The auditorium was packed all during the contest. All the seats were occupied, and standing room down stairs was at a premium, and the gallery was crowded. It was an appreciative audience, also, and the bands were heartily applauded for their work. There were six money prizes offered by the Fair association to the bands, aggregating $300 and divided as follows: 1st prize, $125; 2nd prize, $75; 3d prize, $50; 4th prize, $25; 5th prize, $15; 6th prize, $10. There were nine entries origi nally, but only six were present at the contest. They were Eber- hardt’s Military band of Seguin, sixteen pieces; Lone Star band of Moulton, nine pieces; Agricultu ral and Mechanical College band of College Station, 17 pieces; Gonzales Military band of Gon zales, fifteen pieces; Fireman’s band, of New Braunfels, fifteen pieces; Floresville Musical Union of Floresville. The rules re quired each band to play three pieces, to be chosen by itself, and at the close of the contest all bands attending were to play to gether, “At a Georgia Camp Meeting” and “WhistlingRufus.” The judges selected for the occa sion were Prof. Carl Beck, of San Antonio; Prof. J. Bottles, of Galveston; Prof. A. S. Habile, of Houston. The contest com menced at 11 o’clock in the morn ing. Regulation score cards were used in arriving at the decision. The total score was 200, divided into 8 points of excellence, as fol lows: Tone (quality), tune (of instrument), time (attack of movements), execution (individ ually and collectively), phrasing (breathing), expression (dyna mics), style (delivery), ensemble (musically). Each judge made his own score which was added to a total and divided by the number of judges, thus striking an av erage. The Lone Star band, with L. Rothbauer as director, was the first on trial. They played in a charming manner the following programme: March—* ‘Hot Mush. ’ 1 Overture— 1 ‘Pell Mell” Southwell Medley— 1 ‘Sweet Rose” Horn Eberhardt’s Military band was the next up, and played the fol lowing in a most pleasing manner: March—‘‘Windsor Beach” Chattaway Overture—‘‘Pra Diavola” Auber Medley—‘ ‘Twinkling Stars” Southwell The Agricultural and Mechani cal College band was next to pass before the judges. Under the di rection of Prof. F. H. Miller and in a manner far beyond their