MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 918, 10 September 1910, Page 10

MUNICIPAL ORCHESTRA.

Sir,—Kindly allow, mo a little space to reply to jour correspondent "Punta," who, uiirtcr itho impression that ho is writing in connection with tho proposed Municipal 'Orchestra, takes tho opportunity of making an unwarrantable attack on the- Professional Orchestra, a body of.' musicians of which Wellington might well be proud,'after the manner in which they performed at tho Town Hall on Sunday night. Your. correspondent says misnamed Itio Professional Orchestra." I do not grant him this, as ho must know the majority of the members are semi-professional*. It could not very well be called the "Seini-Prof osai Mial Orchestra." Still, what's in a name? Would not tho members of tho Municipal Orchestra ho "cash amateurs"? Does not Mr. Barneli; propose to pay his orchestra half-prices? Mr. "Punta" says_. tho orchestra has been run as nn adjunct to the Opera House Orchestra. He probably does not

know that there are . several members in the Professional Orchestra who btlong to other" theatres'' than the Opera House, and wherein lies the sin in all this? "It has also for some time past beeii known to play at the-races." Horrible! Shocking! Why should the ■ orchestra! play good, wholesome- music at; the races, when ■••piintii" would supply an orehestia or brass band at low prices to the iiacing Club, and play the latest take-walks.' Then there is "PuntaV point as to cM:luctors. This is a dolisale point to bring under disci ision, as it is impossible to discuss it without making odious comparisons. A . skilful organist Might,, from his three-stave reading, bu abk'. to keep his eye oii all the staves on the. insure, but so might, anyone'else who Is not a skilful org-mist, and how muchbetter is it. to have a conductor who is a skilful violinist,.who Ihoioughly. understands, all string instruments, ..who ihas a fairly good knowledge of wind and peroussijn .instruments, . and who,..when the music is particularly difficult,".'.is) able to correctly mark tho bov/ing and, fingering? It is impossible to -nistako the gentlemen "Punta" had in his mind when drawing comparisons as' to conductors, and I think it unfair to them, for us to "discuss their capabilities. 1 agree with ."I'iiuta" that it is' far bettm to have one first-class body. of musicians than foalf-a-dozon indifferent ones—therefore, why start another? Mr. "Punta" is probably a- disappointed man.. He probably wanted to join the Professional Orchestra, and failed to pass the necessary , test. However, T sympathise with him; we cannot nil be efficient players.; -I am, etc., ~' - CONTRAPDNTO. . Wellington, -September 5, '1910. .'