AN ACADEMY OF MUSIC AT AUCKLAND.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3752, 25 July 1883, Page 4

AN ACADEMY OF MUSIC AT AUCKLAND.

[Translated from Noo Zolandais.] The Governor said, in his address at tho opening of tho Auckland University, that a professorship of music could Avith advantage be formed in connection with that establishment, and quite lately the committee of the said University passed a resolution naming- a sub-committee to confer Avith the Choral Society, in order to seek out practical means for establishing a professorship of this kind. We know not. how to sufficiently applaud the resolution of our University committee. It has proved in this circumstance how high it has valued the Divine arts. Nevertheless, avc do not think that a professorship of music is sufficient. Even as avc Avish to see the foundation of a School of Arts, so Avould avc bo rendered happy by the foundation in Auckland of an Academy of Music. We think*, properly speaking, that a professorship of music would only produce a partial result, or to express ourselves bettor, an imperfect result. In fact, only one professor Avould probably bo appointed to teach all the multitudinous branches of music: and, besides possessing in our town several musicians of more than ordinary merit, Aye think that each of them only really excels in this or that particular branch, as is the caso Avith all musicians, for no one is universal. Wo have hero all tho desirable elements for the formation of an Academy, and avc do not think there is a single toAvn in Oceanica Avhich possesses in her centre so many musical authorities as our toAvn of Auckland. Why should Aye not try to create an all-national art? Why should Aye not try to produce men of genius. Aro avc less intelligent than our European brothers ? No, on the contrary, for it is clearly proved that the colonials are not so narrow -minded, and have vaster conceptions than a good number of the inhabitants on tho" other side of the Equator, and already avo have much young talents. Wo will be told, as usual, that our colony is still too young for an enterprise tike this: but to that Aye will answer. that avo do not Avait until our children are twenty years old to teach them to read, and commencing early renders our task more easy. Another objection of some importance presents itself. Hoav will avo be able to found such an institution Avithout great capital. Our response will be very simple. We have in our midst, as avc have said, musicians in real value. One Avho has studied in Germany and France, and whose talents have obtained him honorary distinctions ; the other, laureate of the " Conservatoire do Paris," Avas croAvncd for a cantata ; presented to tho people of Lyons, and has ( written somo estimable work, upon harmony, composition, and '.rchcstndion; another belongs to the Academy of London, whence he has obtained several medal.; in fhort, we have a number of artists a. ho, though not having received the _ same distinctions, are no less excellent musicians,

each in a certain speciality. Well, we wish that all these men of talents, animated by a noble impulse—the love of art—would unite themselves in one body, and Avith the authority and under the patronage of Government they Avould found an institution, taking for title the Ncav Zealand National Academy of Music. Ali the branches of music could be taught there by special professors, and avc Avould very soon see people come from all parts of the colony, and even from Australia, avlioso vocation is music, and who Avish to throw themselves into the noble career. Some prejudiced minds will perhaps see in Avhat we have said only a lovely vision, a golden dream. But to those we will only say that in all cases trial is not difficult to attempt, agreement is only necessary for that, and we are persuaded that all our musicians will hold it an honor to participate in the foundation of an institutions Avhich may be called to so brilliant a destiny. AYe think music is a powerful reformer of manners, and that propagating and rendering it accessible to all is perfecting the great art of civilization. A remedy for iiit emperance is sought; well, Aye are not afraid to affirm that such is already found ;it is music. It impassions, it transports all Avho comprehend it; it raises the mind, and Barthelcmy tells us in his " A'oyage d'Anacharses " that formerly legislators regarded music as an essential part of education. Rollin says in his Ancient History that " ignorance of music passed in antiquity as an educational defect." As for us", avc frankly avow that avo are " musieomane," and it seems to us that of all arts music is the one Avhich most impresses, Avhich leaves in the heart more souvenirs and lasting feelings, and which, in a Avord, softens, refines our manners. For this reason avc Avill not cease to Avarmly plead the cause of the Divine art, for Avhich, to our thinking, one cannot make too many sacrifices. To Avork then, " Messieurs les musiciens ! ""And Avhen Auckland shall possess her Academy avc Avill be only able to say that New Zealand has taken a great step in civilization.