RE-UNION OF MUSICIANS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 767, 16 March 1910, Page 3

RE-UNION OF MUSICIANS.

I ADDRESS BY MR. ROBERT PARKER. . The Wellington Society of Professional Musicians, which has been quietly nourishing in our midst for the past two years, held ■ a most enjoyable reunion— tho first of the season—in Godber's Rooms, last evening. Judging from the number present the society's membership is strong in ladies. They outnumbered tho gentlemen four* to one. Tlia president (Mr. Robert Parker), who occupied lile chair, made an admirable host, aud his customary urbanity and tact were responsible for the pleasant atmosphere' which jiervaded (lie little gathering. In the course of his remarks, he stated that strango as it seemed, the secretary had on previous occasions experienced the utmost difficulty in arranging a programme. Whoever ho approached for an item had a cold, or produced some other reason, mora or less, valid, for not performing. Jn (Inscribing a meeting of the society someono had once said that "somebody played or sang, and the rest mado uufi Ul i £ emar ks." He could assure them that it was not tho case. He had not sat among the ladies (laughter), but he had never heard anything of the kind from where he sat. Mr. Parker said it should bo the greatest delight for musicians to play before a company of people who understood—who had gone through thonull themselves. Little, if any, fault could be foundwith last evening's programme. It was opened by Sir. Horace Hunt and Miss Beatrice Richmond playing with nioa feeling an "Andante" with variations, on two pianos. Miss Gladys Watkins sang Memory ' (Goring- Thomas), and Miss Grace Kennedy played two old Italian airs on the violin. Mr. Leo Buckeridgo sang Noel Johnson's songlet, "If Thou Wert Blind," with good expression; Mr. Lawrence W atkins played an attractive "Nocturne" of his own composing, which one would like to hear again. Miss Phoebe Parsons saiig two delightful songs by Bohm—"A Spring Night" and "Entreaty"—and Mr.' „ Herbert Blov, played two' wonderfully contrasted Spanish dances, by oh the violin with raro ability. During the course of the evening Mr.' Parker returned thanks for the honour done him in electing hini president for the year; it was an honour he thoroughly appreciated. He paid a tribute to his predecessor: Had it not. been for, the energy,- zeal, enthusiasm,' . aud ability shown by Mr. Maughan Barnett, the society would not be in existence to-day. At the inaugural meeting held some two years ago he (.Mi-. Parker) had had something to say about the aims and ideals of the society, a theme on which the speaker expanded interestingly last, evening. Formerly musicians in Wellington had to plough their own lonely furrow, but the society had made it possible for them to learn something of each other's' personalities. ' The chief aims and ideals of the society were to bring musicians together in friendly, intercourse, to discuss matters of professional interest, and to enable them to speak with a corporate I voice in-a-manner that would influence 1 ! public opinion. It also afforded them tho chance-of hearing music that they might not otherwise have -an opportunity of hearing.: The speaker referred''to the work he was particularly interested in—the teacliingof. music in the schools. It was his privilege to teach singing to a class of SO students at the Training College, and also, every. Saturday,- to a school of <!0 students at Masterton—young' men (and women, who came from all parts of the Wairarapa, and manifestel every sign of pleasure in their work.' All'this-would Isear fruit in'time;, it might be after his voice was still, but it would come. In 'concluding, Mr. Parker expressed the hope that. they ' would ' have. several enjoyable evenings during the approaching season. ', , Light refreshments were handed round. during the evening.