ARTS and MUSIC.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 39, 6 March 1930, Page 5

ARTS and MUSIC.

With the large population existing in the Hiifct Valley .it seems extraordinary thdt so^litttle interest is displayed in mattery of axt and music/ Some of ithe most refining influences are stimulated and great moral uplift generally results from good art or music. It has been suggested that a society might be formed to'foster such tflmngs as photography, painting,; dramatic, OTchestral and choral work, dancing, handiwork, reading and similar-branches of arti3tic work. Many larger towns are nbiwv working on these lines and great benefit is resulting from, their efforts te Small societies such as have hitherto' been in existence in the, Valley have mostly fallen to pieces for want of united support. An orchestral combination was in resistenice but is now .'not heard much of and we hear that the BGurtt Valley Choral Society, which has been operating for the p"ast> seven' years, is likely to go", into recess for in indefinite period, for want of sympathy on t&e part of the public.' Here is a society which has .done good, work ■an our midSt for seven, years and, through- careful- management, hag got into a sound "financial position and yet cannot get .an audience to attend its concerts, which is : sufliciently large to induce ,it to; carry on. r If this is the case it is apparent that tie.need for a choral society is. not felt. Whether a larger society, could be formed to carry on artistic and musical work on a larger . scale ,-could be formed, could only be determined by a public meetirig. .If all the societies pooled "their interests a very large membership would at once be eatablisihed with acomparatively small subscription," and the audience would be assured for any entertainment or exhibition tie-.society or its branches gave. We suggest that' the various societies in the . Valley should confeT on this subject. With the population available in tihds Valley there s»hould be ample support that the societies at present in-existence should not be disbanded.