WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 17 June 1933, Page 2

WORLD OF MUSIC

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL EXCELLENT PROSPECTS There has never been keener interest displayed in the coming festival of Competitions to be held at Ilawera in August, or a more insistent demand for extra classes, which will be new: to the people of the district, and which should add materially to the enthusiasm of listeners and the zeal of competitors.

Since the meeting of teachers was held to collaborate with tne executive the whole position lias been reviewed. Two interesting and attractive classes in voc-al work have been approved and added—duet for children under 10 and a class for a choir of under IS members. Already there are a number of tiny singers practising, while the other class will allow country schools to compete. A number of glee clubs have recently been formed in the country areas—Whakamara for instance—and it is hoped they will all compete. It will bo an inducement to the members to practise and will be something to which conductors may work. There are numbers of suitable compositions from which to choose, for own selection, and these wall not be too difficult for such choirs. 'The result would be a real wave of musical enthusiasm all round the district tliat wmuld really be of value to the communities and to the wthole area of South Taranaki'.

The secretary (Mr T. F. McKenzie) reports a w r ide inquiry for schedules, which betokens in a striking way the interest created over a large area. I lie judges will be Mr H. Wentworth Slater, of Wanganui (music), Miss Elizabeth Blake (elocution')' and Madame Edith .Baird (dancing). All come with very high credentials both as artists aria as judges. They have recently' adjudicated at some of the largest festivals and of their work the committees in those centres speak most highly'. Miss Kathleen Eairhall will again be the official accompanist. TAWHITI SCHOOL BAND. The committee of the Tawhiti 1 School Band arc an energetic body' of workers and have done excellent work in fostering music in the school. Their Fife and Drum Band has made really good progress, and interest continues unabated amoDg the people of the district, v'ho realise what an asset to the school a band can be.

Under the direction' of Mr Rupert George classes for training in stringed instruments were commenced some time ago and these have been most successful and have resulted in a considerable number of children being given' facilities which otherwise they might never have secured. The result must be of great and' lasting benefit to the school and to the individual pupils.

In order to further the interests of the band and the musical w r ork at the school generally a special effort is to be made next week when, under the direction of Mrs A. Hall and Miss Rogers, a “Musical Playlet” will be produced in the Methodist Hall. Very complete preparations are Deing made and a most interesting evening is assured. The rehearsals are going well under the direction of Mrs Hall and Miss Rogers. The programme at the performance on June 21 will include a musical play “The Mission of the Flowers,” by W. G. Dawken and Felix MeGlennan, a novelty “The Children’s Hour,” Maori songs and lullabys, poi dances and hakas, dialogues by the boys, stringed orchestral items and fife and drum selections and all the performers are under 12 years of age.

BR AHMS FESTIVAL. PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS Various functions have been arranged by the ladies’ committee of the Brahms Centenary' Festival in Wellington to stimulate the interest of musiclovers in the festival celebrations w'hich will commence shortly. Mr John Bishop explained at the first gathering that the festival committee were concerned mainly with paying the highest tribute in their power to the memory of the great genius, Brahms, on the occasion of his centenary, and the finest of his works would be plaj'ed at the various concerts, by the best of Wellington’s musicians. Ho asked those who wished to know more of the great composer to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, when over thirty soloists, an orchestra of sixty', and a chorus of three hundred w'ould take part in the programmes. He added some anecdotes illustrating the personal characteristics of Johannes Brahms. NEWS AND NOTES. Mr John Bishop, the conductor of the Royal Wellington Choral Union, is going to Australia in August, and will be aw'ay for about eight weeks, adjudicating, conducting and playing, in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Major T. H. Dampen, formerly wellknown in Stratford, and now; of Dunedin, has joined up with those who are leading community' song sessions in that city. He is reported to have made a tremendous success of the job. A young vocalist, a contralto, who has made a reputation' in Dunedin and of whom much is expected in the future, is Miss Mary Pratt. Next week; a concert will be given as a compliment to her by many of the leading artists of Dunedin and Mr David Whisker, tho flautist, who appeared with Galli Curci'. The Mil'ton Orchestral Society, which has been in recess for a year or two, has now been resuscitated and Mr William Kennedy' has been appointed conductor. The Ley's Institute Juvenile Orchestra (Auckland) has been showing remarkably gQoid form and will give the first concert of the season in Auckland in July'. The growth of orchestral music among the young musicians of that city' has been very' gratifying and the hope has been expressed that the orchestra will assist in the music WGck in August.

Mr E. Yarley Hudson, who judged the children's chorus at the 'Waikato Winter Show last week, was most favourably impressed both by the standard reached by the young singers and their very evident enthusiasm. It might do a great deal to foster this enthusiasm, says the “ Auckland Star ’ ’ if the Schools' Music Festival, to be held in August, were broadcast, so that school children in the country could hear what their town cousins were doing in choral work. Such a

broadcast should bo of great educational value. A correspondent in an Auckland paper stresses the need of a concert hall in Auckland, apart from the Town Hall, one in which the artists will not be subject to irritating noises inside and outsde, which, he says, mars some of their finest artistic efforts. “Common 'sense may some, day prevail in this fair city of ours, }9 he adds, “and Auckland music-lovers will then be able to listen to good music in a suitable hall in peace and comfort. ”