NATIONAL ORCHESTRA TO BE FORMED

Chronicle (Levin), 26 June 1946, Page 8

NATIONAL ORCHESTRA TO BE FORMED

-Press Association

, ♦ MR. ANDERSON TYRER INITIAL CONDUCTOR

By Telegraph-

. WELLINGTON, June 21. The plans of tho Goverument for the csvaijlisluuent of a national sympliony orcliestra, were anuouticed by the I'rinie .Minister. in a statement issued tld.s evening. ' ' It lias long been recognised by the Govornnient that the formation of a national sympliony orchestra was an essen.tiat step towards the fulfilment of tln. Govenmient 's desire to develop in Xew Zcaland a high standard.of inusical performanee and appreeiation and to ol't'er. New Zealand urchestral musiciaus a fullor opportunity t than that hitherto affordcd them, of developing and exereising tlicir undoubted talent under the best professional eonditions, " the statement says. r'All over the world thcrc has lieen a remarkable ouickening of intcrest in good music. Orrliestral concerts featuring the best iu music have been reeeiviiig unprecedented pubtie sujiport following the success aehieved by the Centennial Orchestra- established l).y the Governmcnt as a central featnro of tlie centennial music celebrations of .1940. It n as resolved that when eonditions were favourable, the permannnt establjtfh-n,-c nt of a natipnab 'syinpiiony orchestra should be proceoded with. Owing to -'the. inteusity of New Zealand 's war eft'oad and tlie urgent. call on our men and women for work with tlie Armed Bervices or in war industries, consideration of tlie establishment of a national orchestra had to be held over. Now that war eonditions are passing, it is possible to give praetical effeet to the Goverument 's intention formed in tho Centennial ycar. New Zealand is to 'liave a national sympliony orciiestra. "This year a survev of players available has been made and it is obvious suilieient players can be obtained to justifv tlie Goverument in proceeding with the establishment of the orchestra. In order to expcdite the development of permanent orchestral worli in thc DominiOn, the Government has de(ided, after consulting a leading musical authority in Britain who highly reeommended him for the work, to invite Mr. Andersen Tyrer to undertake the asseTnbling, training and organising of thc noeessary personnel for a national' sympliony orchestra. Mr. Tyrer was musical adviser to 'the Government and conductor of the Centennial orchestra during the Centennial music celebrations in 1940. It is well remembered wliat a splendid job for music in New Zealand Mr. Tyrer did on that oceasion and on subsec[uent occasions when he has condueted ol'chestras at concerts and broadcast performanees for the National Broadcasting Service. When Mr. Tyrer has accomplished the task of assembling, training and organising the orchestra in the course of the next two years, the cpiestion of securing a salaried conductor will be considered. "The National Sympliony Orchestra will be part of the National Broadcitsting Service whose fnnds will be used for the establishment and maintenance of the orchestra but in order to secure tlie best integration 'with the mpsieal - life of the Dominion, it is intended shhrtly to call a conference of representatives of various mnsical bodies to i. work ont a scheme for the ultimate

peontro] and administration of thc or--chestra. "The constitution of the orchestra and eonditions of employment for mcmbers, are at present being considered. When these are linally determined the neeessary players will be engaged and rehearsals will be conimenced. "The establishment of tliis orchestra will open a new era in the musical life of New Zealand. For the flrst time in cur history we shall have available a permanent sympliony orchestra and public concerts and broadeasts will be given regularly under the baton of the selected conductor or of guest-conduc-tors while 'the best of our New Zealand artists and outstahding artists from overseas will be engaged from time to time to appear with the orchestra in various centres of population tliroughout New Zealand.. The availability of such an orchestra will ensure that New Zealand can arrange for visits by outstanding overseas guest-conductors and artists whqm it would otherwise have been impractieable to invite owing to lack of an estahlished orchestra. The establishment of a permanent orchestra will not mean the abolitio.n of the present part-time studio orchestras at the four main centres, These will continue in existenc?. "