Music Week—To Stimulate Interest in Music

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1052, 16 August 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

Music Week —To Stimulate Interest in Music

A National Movement

AIMS AND OBJECTS OF MUSIC WEEK

"VrUSIC week is a national effort. Commencing this evening Auckland, in common with other centres in New Zealand, will have a week of music. 'Musicians, assisted by representatives of various organisations, are working together in a nig combined effort to bring good music more, to the fore and to emphasise 1 he; Tact that in this, complex civilisation and age of , feverish self-consciousness, music, as a soothing relaxation, and source of inspiration, is more than ever one of the fundamental things of life.

From (he very cradle of civilisation, even from the cradle of the race, music has exercised a great influence on mankind. Music was before speech, and even in these modern times music can often express what language cannot utter, for the deepest longings of the human heart can often best be expresed through the sweet cadences of music. Siuce man existed he has come under music’s power. He felt its influence in the sighing of the wind through the trees, and in the sound of the rustle of the leaves. He heard it in the trickling and the babbling of the brook, in the waves breaking on the shore; also in the songs of the birds and in the cries of many animals, for nature speaks to us in many voices, and sings to us many songs. Music has appealed to man not only throughout the ages, but also at every stage, condition and experience of life. When tired he has been coaxed to sleep by its cadences. In his anger it has soothed his troubled spirit. When fearful it has given

him courage. It has spoken, and to the end of time it will continue to speak to him of truth and beauty and love. As the handmaid of religion, music has given to him noble thoughts and hi Mi aspirations. It ha* exercised i

tremendous power and influence on popular sentiment, and sweetens and enriches our civic life. With Addison we can truly say:— v •‘Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below.”

Although the suggestion to hold a Music Week came first from the Society of Professional Musicians, it must not be inferred that it is necessarily a music teachers’ movement, lu Auckland the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, presided at the public meeting held to consider the question and a strong .copimitee, representative of all the amateur organisations, was formed. Mr. A J. Hutchinson, a well-known business man, who lias been closely connected with many deserving movements, was appointed chairman. The principal task that confronted the. committee at the outset lay in obtaining the co-operation of musical and educational institutions throughout the city. Once the aims and objects of Music Week were made clear, wholehearted co-operation was forthcoming i" almost every instance.

During the past few years there has been a considerable falling off in concert attendances, due largely to the counter-attractions provided by the theatres and the rapid development of mechanical music. New Zealand, like other countries, also suffered musically through the invasion of cheap, and often vulgar, music of the jazz type, an influence that undoubtedly was, and is, having a very damaging effect upon the musical appreciation of the youth of the country. It is this influence that the Music Week Committee hopes to counteract every year with a national Music Week. Assured of even only moderate success at the start, the future should see it develop into a great national festival —one that should compare favourably with the big festivals of the world.