HELP FOR MUSICIANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 884, 30 January 1930, Page 16

HELP FOR MUSICIANS

VICTIMS OF THE TALKIES STILL NEED ASSISTANCE The campaign for the benefit of unemployed professional musicians in Sydney has been marked by the establishment of a symphony orchestra of 50 artists, specially chosen from the city's leading instrumentalists. Concerts wilt be given by the orchestra during the next two months. The fund for the musicians who have been thrown out of work as a result of the introduction of the talkies has also been increased by a cheque for £IOO from the Columbia Gramophone Company, as an advance payment for the sale of records made by a string orchestra and military band. Like the professional musicians of New Zealand, many Australian musicians found themselves in sore straits when the theatre orchestras were disbanded. In New Zealand the position has been relieved somewhat by the reintroduction of orchestras in several theatres. At the present time it is estimated that about 50 musicians are so employed. But there still remain many who bad to seek other avenues of employment, and with unemployment prevalent throughout the country, this has made their position very difficult. One Instance is known of a former musical director who is now working ns a navvy. Auckland musicians have given valuable assistance by organising benefit concerts, valuable work being clone in this connection by Mr. Colin Muston, and it is hoped that the same helping hand will be extended during the next few months, until the position improves. It is encouraging to note that in London there is an almost universal demand on the part of cinema patrons for real orchestral music, and as a result many orchestras are now going back. In New Zealand the return of the orchestras in some of the theatres has been warmly welcomed by the public, and it is to be hoped that this will prove to be the forerunner of a general movement throughout the Dominion for a return to orchestral music, not only in the picture theatres, but also in the tearooms.