CIVIC ORCHESTRA

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 33, 9 February 1933, Page 10

CIVIC ORCHESTRA

(To the Editor.) -. Sir,—Your correspondent of the • 4th instant, Mr. Norman Bowling writing of the proposals for a civic orchestra, asks that any who would doubt the success of such proposals Ehould "trot" out their reasons. Mr. Dowling glibly remarks that it should not be diflicult to raise £4000. I presume by public subscription. Personally, I should think the sponsors would have difficulty in raising that amount. We already have two symphony orchestras which do not attract by any means capacity audiences. And if these do not receive adequate support for their occasional concerts, is there reason to believe that a civic orchestra would? Are the present organisations incapable of/providing the fare which Mr. Dowling suggests for the civic orchestra? ° Another point: One correspondent in the 'livening Post" of 10th January says such an orchestra would need to comprise at least 100 first-class musicians. But surely the most rosy estimate of receipts would not warrant the continued employment of such a body of professionals. 1 am not a musician; but I believe I belon* to a very general class of people who like or love music. For myself I will say that I would patronise a musical, entertainment which set itself to satisfy my perhaps less academic tastes as well as maybe educating- me in not too heavy doses to an appreciation of the more weighty compositions. I am not against .the scheme; on the contrary, I believe that I should be quite enthusiastically in favour of it if its originators come forward with definite plans for its formation and'programme, particularly as to how they think of getting that £4000. Mr. Dowling asks what the Broadcasting Board has to say." It might well jgive a tentative expression on the subject.—-I am, etc., THEO. H. WIGGS.