TOWN HALL PROJECT
Music Council’s Report
The Christchurch Civic Music Council last evening decided to ask the City Council to set an early date for choosing a site for a town hall.
The council also adopted a Report of the executive, presented by the chairman (Mr J. L. Hay), which suggested a voluntary effort, in which musical organisations would play a part, to raise funds for a town hall. “The movement to provide a town hall will have the full support of all the musical societies of Christchurch,” the report said. “The lack of a town hall has been a great limiting factor in the full functioning of the musical life of the city. This has been particularly so since the formation of the National Orchestra, which, while desirous of co-operating With the excellent choral societies we have in Christchurch, can do so only with great difficulty and at great expense. “The Civic Theatre is totally unsuited to accommodate and give the best results from a large choir and orchestra, and the present arrangements can only be regarded as makeshift. Every conductor of the National Orchestra has expressed great surprise that a city of the size and importance of Christchurch has no town hall, where the orchestra can be heard to best advantage. “The lack of a town hall also prevents the holding of mass music festivals which should be a feature of our musical life. Further, the choral societies frequently render works which necessitate two or more performances because the Civic Theatre cannot contain all the public who would like to attend. This involves a great deal of extra expense. Schools’ Need “Probably the greatest need of ; a town hall is seen in the plight 1 of the primary and secondary schools, where large numbers are involved, trying to function in the Civic Theatre. “The council is of the opinion that before the City Council can ; take decisive steps to provide a ‘ town hall, a substantial sum ’ should first be raised by a volun- ■ tary effort. The planning of such s a fund raising effort would have 1 to be conceived on an ambitious < scale, and be strongly led by a thoroughly representative citizens ‘ committee, which would have the ; full confidence'of the public,” saio : the report. “If this thing is properly conceived and carried out we shoul be able to raise sufficient money.” said Mr Hay, during a discussioxi : of the report. “Some time ago the Christchurch Harmonic Society : gave £lOO, and the Christchurch Recorded Music Society now has ' a collection box in which mem- • bers put contributions.” j A voice: How about getting the Wells organisation? J “Couldn’t this council bring pressure to bear on the City Council?” asked Mr E. Empson, moving that the City Council be ! asked to choose a site.
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Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28262, 27 April 1957, Page 12
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465TOWN HALL PROJECT Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28262, 27 April 1957, Page 12
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