Auckland-Musical Centre

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 128, 20 August 1927, Page 17

Auckland-Musical Centre

Municipal and Private Enterprise Enables Citizens to Hear Works of the Masters

(Written for THE SUN by FRANK RYAN)

USIC is the fourth great material want of LawnSTfKjj our nature,” states a famous American medicai specialist “first yBWy'JtWRi food, then raiment, then shelter, then music.” Sixteen years after a salute of guns flred, at Fort Britomart, in IS4O, proclaimed Auckland the site of the first capital, music in an organised form commenced to establish itself in the city. The first organisation appeared to bt an Auckland Choral Society, which.

as early as 1856, gave a public performance of "The Messiah.” In the intervening years societies have flourished, and as musical societies often do, have gone their way. Even in those days internal dissensions in the ranks of the musicians were not altogether unknown.

Although the musical history of the city contains many such instances, the insistent demand for music ultimately prevailed. From the remains of the early organisations new afnd more virile bodies have sprung into being, until to-day Aucklanders can refer with justifiable pride to a number of very healthy organisations which are responsible for most of the musical activity of the town. In Auckland to-day there is music wherever we go. It is in the restaurants, the hotels, the cinemas, the theatres and concert halls innumerable throughout the city and suburbs. It has become part and parcel of almost all amusement and relaxation. Popular music naturally attracts a big following, but thanks to the very commendable stand taken by the cinema orchestras the standard has appreciably risen. Demands by picture audiences for the repetition of flood orchestral numbers are by no means rare. Perhaps it is the most encouraging feature of present day uturic In Auckland.

Municipal Music

Realising the duties of municipalities in providing opportunities for artistic culture, the Auckland City Council has also played a big part in attempting to bring about a higher

standard of musical appreciation in the community. The establishment of municipal music followed the erection of the Town Hall and the installation of a magnificent Norman and Beard organ. Mr. Maughan Barnett, a musician of distinction, was appointed municipal organist and gave his first recital in April, 1923. Four years later vocal solos were added to the programme, and in 1917 further and very popular

variety was afforded as a result of the formation of a municipal choir, the first to be established in New Zealand. The musical education of a community is a slow process, depending very largely upon persistence of effort, regularity of performance and

judicious programme making. In Auckland the progress although slow, has been on sound lines. The selection of music is necessarily influenced by an endeavour to satisfy the needs of the community and at the same time educate the public ear up to a higher standard of musical appreciation. * That this delicate operation is proving successful is evidenced by the fact that the attendance has been increased from a total of 8,350 —or an average of 253 a recital —in the first year, to 30,990 this season, an average of 885 at each recital.

Recitals for school children are a very important feature of Mr. Barnett’s work, and in this connection excellent work has been done with programmes of simple works in inculcating an appreciation of qjlisic in the minds of the rising generation.

In obtaining the services ot an organist of such full and varied experience as Mr. J. Maughan Barnett the city has indeed been particularly fortunate.

A native of Lea m i n g t o n , England, Mr. Barnett’s early posts were at the Churches of King Charles the Martyr, Tunbridge Wells, Saint Mary

Magdalene, at St Leonards-on-Sea, and at Hobart Cathedral in Tasmania. Mr.

Barnett was also city organist in Wellington for five years, his other musical posts in that city including the conductorship of the Royal Choral Society, Orchestral Society ana Amateur Operatic Society.

In 1911 he opened the organ at the Auckland Town Hall, and two years later accepted the post of city organist, a post he has filled ever since, devoting himself almost exclusively to the cause of municipal music. On his recent visit to England Mi'. Barnett gave an organ recital at the Westminster Central Hall, on which occasion the “Musical Times” said that, he “gave ample proof of sound musicianship, brilliant technique, a thoroughly artistic temperament, and an evident desire to please more than one element in his considerable audience.” Other activities in connection with municipal music is the Municipal Choir under Mr. Maughan Barnett, and the Municipal Band under the direction of Mr. Christopher Smith. Since its formation in 1924, the Municipal Band has fully justified the venture. At.full strength it numbers

45 players and as regards its instrumentation is of the type known as military, being built on the lines of the best British army bands. The band enters largely into all civic activities, playing every Sunday at the Zoological Park, and at other times at the Town Hall and the various parks. Its repertoire at the pres- , ent time comprises over 500 numbers,

from complete symphonic works to simple hymn tunes, and this list is constantly being added to.

Under the direction of Mr. Christopher Smith, a cultured musician of wide and varied experience, the band has been brought up to a high standard of efficiency, as evidenced by the large attendances at every concert. Mr. Smith was for five years connected with the famous Besses o’ the Barn Band and conducted that combination on its last Australian and South African tour. For eleven years he also conducted and trained the Adelaide Municipal Tramways Trust Band, a similar combination to the local City Band.

A.n Enterprising Body

In New Zealand at the present time there is unfortunately a strong tendency on the part of many musicai organisations, in drawing up programmes, to “play safe.” In some cases this is considered necessary, both from the point of view of the strength of their weakest link and the box office results.

For choral societies the popular cycle appears to be “The Messiah.” “Elijah,” “The Creation” and “Hiawatha.” Public appreciation in the

past having been educated up to that point, societies for the most part have been content to leave it at that, particularly when attempts to widen their scope of activity have not met with the support of the public, Despite these difficulties the Auckland Choral Society, one of the oldest established organisations in the city, has lately exhibited a very commend-

able spirit of enterprise, and whenever circumstances have permitted has willingly extended the scope of i.s activities; sometimes, it is true, not

to financial gain, but in doing so, not only have members had the satisfaction that comes from “something a*-

tempted, something done,” but also the added satisfaction of knowing that in presenting works hitherto pra-ti-cally unknown they are playing their part in the development of the “musical germ.”

Among the more outstanding works recently presented are Sir Edward Elgar’s “Dream of Gerontius,” “Faust” and of later date Verdi's “Aida.” In the musical history of the town the performance of “Aida” undoubtedly represents one of the most important of our musical ventures, marking as it does, a definite step tow

the operatic field, in which our leading soloists have previously had very little opp nity of gaining the necessary practical experience, unless by going abroad.

The society is at present under the direction of Mr. C. Hudson, president, Mr. C. B. Plummer, vice-president, both original members of the scociety, and the following executive committee: Mesdames Collier and Betts, and

Messrs. G. Carr, E. E. Pierce, J. Lynex, W. J. Moylan, C. B. Plummer, C. Sandford and T. Howarth.

Mr. Colin Muston, L.R.A.M., who is so closely bound up with the musical life of the com-

munity, is the conductor, and he has the capable assistance of Miss E. Whitelaw as leader of the orchestra. The secretarial duties are

carried out by Mr. H. E. Simmons, while the onerous but very necessary duties of publicity agent are in the capable hands of Mr. A. Fairburn. It is interesting to note that several of the foundation members of .the present society, Messrs. C. Hudson, C. B. Plummer, E. A. Brown, H. D. Bunby, H. J. Edmiston and Professor C. W. Egerton still take an active interest in its affairs.

For over 30 years on the committee on the Choral Society, Mr. C. B. Plummer has not only taken a very active interest in this organisation, both as an instrumentalist and an executive member, but also in the musical life of the town generally. He was the first chairman of the Bohemian Orchestra, and is still a very active member of that organisation, also being a member of the executive of the Auckland Operatic Society. In the Auckland Savage Club, a body that incorporates wtihin its ranks most of the male musical talent of the city, he has also occupied important executive positions.

With the Bohemians Comparatively speaking, the Bohemian Orchestra is one of the younger organisations. Phoenix-like, it rose out of the ashes of the old Orchestral Union, and since its inception in 1914 has proved a virile and very useful body. In addition to intro ducing quite a number of new works to the public, the orchestra has consistently maintained a high standard, a very extensive repertoire embracing most of the best known works of the world’s master musicians. Perhaps more in the orchestral section than in any other branch of I music is the strength of the combina-

tion restricted to that of its ■weakest link. Despite the big disadvantages ■which the orchestra has of late laboured under, particularly in regard to the supply of reed players, it has not deviated from its policy of aiming

high. This has involved a considerable amount of training work, which although probably unfortunate from the point of view of the orchestra, is undoubtedly proving highly beneficial

to the general instrumental standard in Auckland. The big increases which have recently taken place in the numerical strength of the professional orchestras and the demand on the part of the picture theatres for good players, has also considerably weakened the amateur ranks. To replace them is necessitating a considerable amount of work, a large share of which has been cheerfully undertaken by the indefatigable and enthusiastic ?>lr Colin Muston. For the first three years of Its existence the orchestra had for its chief executive Mr. C. B. Plummer, who is also a life member of the orchestra. The present chairman is Mr. G. H. Woolley, a versatile musician, who in

his time has played many parts. Mr. W. J. Caddell, who has held the office since its inception, is the secretary; Miss E. Whitelaw, leader of the orchestra; while Mr. Cyril Towsey lends his valuable assistance as accompanist. The three life members are Messrs. C. B. Plummer, H. Hemus and S. Coldicutt, the latter acting in the capacity of business manager. Royal Auckland Choir

The year 1892 saw the birth of mother society which was also destinued to play an important part in the musical development ot the city—the Auckland Liedertafel, now known as the Royal Auckland Choir. This was the result of a meeting of those interested in singing called by the late Mr. Gilbert King, then manager of the Bank of New South Wales. Mr. Arthur Towsey, father of Mr. Cyril Towsey, who is now occupying his father's niche in Auckland’s musical sphere, was the first conductor, occupying that position until he left for Wanganui in 1905 Following Mr. Towsey’s departure, Mr. T. E. Midgley and Mr. Alfred Hill, now on the State Cor servatorium, Sydney, held the baton for various periods. In 1905 Professor Thomas was appointed to the position, which he has held ever since. As with many other of our local organisations, the History of the choir reveals a splendid record of service on the oart of many if its members.

Mr. S. J. Harbutt has proved a popular and very energetic secretary since 1599, having been re-elected at every annual meeting since. It is a splendid record of service and one hard to equal. Professor Thomas has now had 22 years of active service as conductor and of the original members of the choir Messrs. M. Trenwith, W. H. George, R. B. Walrond, A. Grindrod and G. M. Reid still take a keen interest in the activities of the choir. Now in its thirty-sixth season, the choir has just given its 163rd performance. During its career an immense repertoire of part songs has been gathered together, every composer of note from 1600 to the present day having been drawn upon to supply programmes of artistic merit, as well as pleasing to the public ear. In Dr. W. E. Thomas the choir has had the services of a sound and highly qualified musician. Born at Oxford, Professor Thomas entered the Christ Church cathedral choir at the age of 7 and sang solos for eight years. He received his training from Dr. C. A. Corfe, of Christ Church Cathedral, to whom he was articled for seven years. At the early age of 20 he took the degree of Mus. Bac. at Oxford, and five years later the degree of Mus. Doc, being then the youngest Doctor of Music at the University. Later Dr. Thomas came out to New Zealand as Professor of Music at the Auckland University College. The patron of the choir is his Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Fqrgusson, and the president is Mr. J. P. Hooten. Mr. N. Mcßobie is the pfesent chairman, and Mr. Cyril Towsey the accompanist. The life members are Madame Chambers, Mr. A. Towsey and Dr. Thomas. In recognition of the splendid services rendered by the choir in the musical life of the community, permission to use the Royal title was granted some six years ago.

Also filling a very useful part in the musical life of the community is the Aeolian Orchestra, now in its sixth season. Gaining in strength every season, this combination has already provided a number of interesting programmes, its first concert this season being devoted solely to works from the British school of composers. The orchestra is under the direction of Mr. W. Edgar Webb, and has for le*d'r Mr. F. M. Price, Miss Maida Hooker, A.R.C.M., acting as accompanist. In addition to the societies enumerated a host of smaller organisations also assist in providing a continual supply of music during the season.. There is also the Auckland Operatic Society, financially the strongest musical body in the district, and undoubtedly the strongest operatic society in the Dominion. Of the activities of this organisation much can be written, so much so that it must form the basis of another article.

Music is God’s best gift to man, the only art of heaven given to earth . the only art of earth that zee take to heaven. But music, like all our gifts, is given us in the germ. It is for us to unfold and develop it by instruction and cultivation . . . Charles W. Landon