A MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18421, 30 June 1925, Page 8

A MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA.

SUGGESTED FOR CHRISTCHURCH.

An interesting portion of tho annual report of the conductor of tho Municipal Band (Mr J. Noble), submitted a't the annual meeting, held Isst night, referred to the desirableness of tho formation, of a municipal orchestra in connexion with the band. The report stated:

"La commenting upon the Rand's change of i.ame, I might state tuiu, Wiiiie Li charge of tins Rand, I shall not rest content until the orgamsi.&on is a municipal one in fact as well as in nama. a time is coming when there i* no reason why thcro should not be a municipal orchestra incorporated watii the band, both being at the service of tho Citv for civic activities. This scheme,* though it might bo termed ambitious, is quite feasible, though much depends upon tha practical interest shown bv the t.ounc.l and the citizens. The combination, it given a p;-oper start, would soon become self-supporting and would b2 t * Pleasure and asset to ,o U1 ; Citv." -Ihat has teen my idea practically ever since I took up musical work in Chnstchurch," Mr Noble added. "We ack a musical organisation that belongs to the City, and there is no reason why Chnstchurch should not be in Jine wit-t other centres. Auckland recent'v fnrm-d a mMta?y band—and I think it cost a bout i.2oCf> to start it. Wellington has n-jt go: a municipal band, but n has a Tramway Band, and tho tramways are municipally-owned. Christchurch should go.one better, because a band is limited, to some extent, to outdoor performances; but there isevery opportunity of having a small orchestra incorporated in tho band available for any services required indoors. It would also assist in forwarding the musical education of tho City. Certainly we have other bands and orchestras in Cbristchurch, but. a:» regards the orchestras, they don't cater for the public generally—the public don't hear the Chnstchurch Orchestral Society chiefly because there is no suitable hall. And that brought uo the question of a Town Hall. We certainly require a big Town Hall in this o< for the purpose of encouraging our musical orasrnisatior. fur -ne thing. I hopo very much to see that soma t!. there will bi a real municipal band and a municipal orchestra for tho citizens of CllristchJ^rch, ,, (Hear, hear.}