Harmonica Bands' Contest

During Easter the Theatre Royal resounded to the sound of mouth organs (or do they call them harmonicas these days), piano accordions and guitars. Occasion was the New Zealand Harmonica Bands* Association's national contest, in which more than 130 musicians from many parts of the South Island competed. To wind the contest up a tremendously successful concert was held on the Sunday night.

There were harmonicas of all shapes and sizes. The ones held here by Bill Jackaloni (Port Chalmers), Brian Galpin (Nelson) and Gary Black (Port Chalmers) are "double bangers" and would measure 12 ft if each section was placed end to end.

The Nelson entry - The Harmonaires - had a very successful contest. Team is John Spillett, Dave Frost, Judith Rizzi, Brian Galpin, Ross Beach and Bob Cachemaille

Those well-known singers making an unheralded appearance at Nelson - the Andrew Sisters (Gary Pullar, Graham Attewell and Norm Richars, of Waimate).

Nelson Treble Tones, Ian Mills, Glen Bowden and Lewis Mills.

The highly successful Port Chalmers team. It won the aggregate and many individual placings.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 6 : April 29, 1961

Harmonica Bands' Contest