MUNICIPAL MUSIC.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 10

MUNICIPAL MUSIC.

A great deal of interest has been aroused by the novel and extensive musical schemes now being carried out under the auspices of the Birmingham municipality. Tho.City of Birmingham Orchestra, which was established five years ago, and is now directed by Mr Adrian Boult, gives concerts on week days and Sundays-,,not only in the city itself, but also in the outlying districts; and there is a special series of concerts for. children, in connexion with which the aid of the teachers is called in." The general scope ot the ambitious scheme was explainbd to a representative of the "Uoservor" by Professor Jii-neaA do Selincourt. Tho concerts are divided into four classes. ' 'lhere are uie "Symphony Concerts" (eight in a season), the Saturday night concerts (six in a season), and the Sunday night concerts (weekly),' the children's concerts (six in the season's series, plus, some extra Christmas holiday concerts), and finally, a certain number of concerts in the outlying.parts oil tlie district.

'' The character of the programme at the Sunday concerts falls into two parts (said Professor de Selincourt) r of which tho first is given to some one great composer, and the Becond is of a miscellaneous character. Thus, on a recent Sunday was a "Mozart" night, and the first part consisted of,an overture? an aria, and a symphony; the second part included the new 'cello concerto of Delius, beautifully played by Miss Beatrice Harrison. We are convinced that a popular audience will always respond to .the best music when they are given a chance of hearing it well rendered," and our faith has been justified. .-A curious, interesting,:and, I think, .important feature of pur Sunday night audience is the'preponderance of men; wo have far more men than w,qmen. Prom the children's concerts we are, unfortunately, pbliged to turn away 500 to 600 every time. The Town Hall • will accommodate only about 2200 children. A.local music firm, with great' spirit, organises a course" of lectures for teachers, in order that these may prepare the children for the musio they are to hear. Next year wo shall probably duplicate,these children's con-! certs, in which case we shall be able to accommodate 4000 children. We have, in mind a scheme for midday . dinnerhour concerts —some seats free, and other* at a nominal pnee. They would last for 45 minutes, and would probably be held weekly. Our one failure so far has lain in the Saturday concerts. ■ So; much depends upon habit, and we have not yet been able to establish a Saturday night music habit. Perhaps if smoking were allowed in the Town Hall we might do better!" v