A NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13337, 1 February 1909, Page 8

A NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

SUGGESTED DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL.

A well-known Christchurcli musical enthusiast, when approached by a "Press" representative, regarded the proposal to found a permanent national orchestra in the Dominion as far less Utonian than was generally supposed. He was strongly against the idea of a permanent Christchureh orchestra as set iorth by a correspondent in these columns recently, and declared that a milional orchestra would be much more feasible. This organisation, lie thought, should consist ot Oti permanent members, with ten or twelve attached auxiliaries drawn from various parts ot New Zealand as tho occasion arose. These latter members should bo admitted only after passing a suitable examination, tho idea, of course, being to provide them with the opportunity of" passing from an amateur to a professional status. "The period of service of t-iieso attached members," tho speaker continued, "should be limited by the authorities, and should not exceed one year. They would thus form a reserve, which could be drawn upon as vacancies occurred amoiia the permanent members. On these lines a national orchestra would be very attractive, and it would tend very considerably to raise tho standard of music in New Zealand. A certificate as an ex-member of tho orchestra would be a hall-mark of proficiency amo us professionals, and it would assist them greatly. In regard to finance, I think tho cost of tlie organisation might safely be put down at from £301) to £310 per week for salaries (including that- of the conductor), and £150 per week for -travelling and lodging expenses. Something like £■160 per week should be estimate.! as tho cost, to which might be added £500 per annum for the month tho orchestra would bo in vacation and earning no money. These figures clearly show that tho scheme is impossible without the assistance of tho Government and municipal subsidies. The details ot the proposal aro too numerous to discuss now; but if the various municipalities willing to participate in the movement paid subsidies at the rnto of so much per performer, extending over a given number of nights, the Government could take all the proceeds and make up the difference, which .might amount to £3000 or £5000 per annum. That is. of course, on a basis of two-thirds of tho soats being available at sixpence, and tho otter third ot a shilling. This proposal might destroy tho possibility of travelling companies or private associations charging the higher prices, but at the tame tirno it would place the best class of music within the reach of the poorest members of the community. I may be optimistic in these matters, but I believe that tho educational advantages to be secured by the scheme fully warrant Government making the expenditure. Tho attached auxiliary members of the orchestra should be admitted only on the condition of receiving travelling and hotel expenses, and an out-of-pocket allowance not exceeding £1 per week. The sum I have set down for salaries provides an average of £5 per week per member. Tlie individual sums to bo apportioned I think would suffice to attract the best orchestral talent in Australasia. Tho Government nowadays undertakes all kinds of things for the benefit of fhe people, and I think it will be generally agreed that public money might easily be expended upon n much less useful object than upon tho establishment and of a. national orchestra."