YOUNG MUSICIANS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 17

YOUNG MUSICIANS.

REWARDS FOR MEKIT. . The annual distribution of medals and certificates awarded to the successful candidates at tho 1910 examinations of the Associated Board of tho Roval Academy of Music, and tho Royal College of Music, London, took placo at the Town Hall Yesterday afternoon. Sir E. 0. Gibbes, Secretary for Education, and Hon. Local Representative of the Associated Board, presided over a large gathering of pupil?, parents, and friends, and among tlio.=3 present on tho platform was £1. 'Charles Harris,, Director of tho Empire Music festivals, who delivered an interesting address.

During the course of a brief introductory speech,., Sir Edward Gibbes paid a high tributo to Dr. Harris?, who, as a young man. had gone to Canada, And, by his personal influence and exertions, had created a permanont condition of musical enthusiasm in that Dominion, and enhanced the quality of tho art generally. The reports of 1 Inst year's music examinations in New Zealand, he continued, showed that 970 candidates were presented •for examination under the auspices of tho Associated Board. The first examination in .Wellington had attracted 37 candidates—last year' this number had increased to 266,' of which 17G had passed, representing a percentage of 66, slightly in advance of the percentage for Great Britain, although tho honours 'awards hero were fewer. The "advanced grade" medal,' and tho Victor Harris Memorial Gold Medal, liad comn to Wellington. The examiners generally had reported that tho -work done at the examinations was satisfactory in .Wellington—the work of the singing' candidates was particularly meritorious. The small number of candidates for examinations in the violin and allied instruments was, however, once nioro commented upon by the examiners. . - ■

Dr. Harriss, whose remarks were punctuated with applause, I 'referred' to the prestige of tho Associated Board as an examining institution. Without in the least, degree disparaging other examining institutions, whoso methods, for all he knew to the contrary., might he equally souud, he would say that .a certificate from the Associated Board was a hallmark which , was accepted everywhere, with entire confidence. There might be other diplomas of merit, but for,.:himself he.proferred tho parchment sealed.'.and signed-by tho Associated Board,..bearing,.the imprimaturs of Sir A.'C. Mackenzie and Sir Hubert Parry, and awarded upon the reports of examiners sent nut by them. It might be thought, continued. Dr. Harriss, that the system or'.scuding out examiners from Home was a slight upon local examiners. There was no such, intention. Ho recited bis own experience, when, as Director of the ConsTvatoriuni of Music at tho M'Gill University, in Canada, ', he had offered to assist the Associated Boards' examiners in their work. The Associated Board would only award certificates on the reports of the examiners specially appointed by it for that sr>ccial purpose. Therefore he, congratulated successful candidates upon qualifying for the certificates of a distinguished institution. New Zealand as a young nation held out great promise of future greatness. It war. brimful of music. Dr. Harriss '•onclnded with •« glowing tribute to the efficiency of .the New Zealand orchestra, which was so ably supplementing the work of the ohoir. The certificates and diplomas were then awarded by Lady Gibbes, and the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, pronosed by tho Han. D. Buddo and seconded by Mr.'.Robert Parker, to those who had assisted by their presence at the function. .