TO SAVE N.Z. MUSIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 558, 10 January 1929, Page 1

TO SAVE N.Z. MUSIC

BROADCASTING SCHEME SUGGESTED

SUBSIDIES FOR SOCIETIES

A scheme which will have for its objective the stabilising of the leading musical organisations of the Dominion, and incidentally bring about an improvement and greater variety in the standard of radio programmes, is at present under consideration in Auckland. If at all workable it is considered that it will probably be the means of saving many societies at present threatened with extinction.

IfR. C. B. PLUMMER, a well-known musician of this city, who for many years has occupied, important executive positions in Auckland’s ~ng musical organisations, is responsible for the proposal which will be submitted to the Radio Broadcasting Company and Auckland Societies. At the pi_-sent stage full details of the proposal have not been worked out, but from those available it would *eem that :it follows the lines adopted in England by Sir Thomas Beecham in the proposed establishment of English • pera by a subsidising scheme and the saving of the Queen’s Hall Orchestra tor the nation by co-operation with the British Broadcasting Company. It has suggested in the rough draft set down that funds should be raised by means of a small levy on all radio listeners. These total approximately 40,000 and at say, two shillings, this would make available the sum of -4.000 to be distributed in the form of subsidies to the leading musical organisations, orchestral and choral, at the broadcasting centres. All performances would be broadcast under the direction of the New Zealand Radio Broadcasting Company and it is estimated that at least 50 concerts a iear would be available. In support of the scheme it has been stressed that, in view of the very pre-

carious condition most of the the ama’eur organisations find themselves in, h-ey. consider i t impossible to broadcaa* for fear of a falling-off in attendaaoes - With a satisfactory subsidy forthcoming by a scheme such as this 1 is considered that or' hestras and f-Qoral societies would ! in a more or ‘" sa assured position and be able to f J PPly programmes for broadcast purp°ses and safely run the risk of smaller audiences. I* is also claimed that this would ? Ve th© result of raising the standard throughout the Dominion, the <*nous societies being then in a posi- ...?]? to secure better players, and also *<ier repertoires. Practically it would n the linking up of all musicians with the New Zealand ' etiea under the radio banner. “Jlsht seem a bold scheme,” -em : r - Plummer to a Sun reprejtive to-day, but with the falling fhr ? ncert attendances as a result r °adca*iUng, the cinema, bridge and road a ttractions linking-up with f s . : *ting seems to be the only way ' v hosA ln^» m!iny of our musical societies inn.i exist *nce at present is one con* struggle.’ 1 <«kul, “ mmer said he " :LS aware that 'f on*Ji 8 confronted, but is of all ,° n that, with the co-operation Parties concerned, some such C!/° Uld be devised. All the musicians wanted was the 0 * laying and the only desire fun i Was to make epds meet. v ailahi of the scheme will be Place it h sbort ly when it is hoped to the or ® the musical societies of thft conSi? ion, . and uiso present it iA* uth °ritie^ ration of tlie >roadcastini ’