A STATE ORCHESTRA

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1920, Page 5

A STATE ORCHESTRA

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Being partly responsible for the visit of Mr. Henri Vcrbrugghea and the New South Wales Orchestra, I think I am entitled to ask my countrymen, now that they hare heard the orchestra, what are they going to do about it. Are they to remain satisfied with past! standards, or will they strike after tbek new? At present there do not stem to be enough music lovers in Now Zealand to make another visit of the New South Wales Orchestra possible; it can !' e n ' ort profitably employed elsewhere. Besides the price of admission does sot give the "man in the street," or the casual person who goes to u concert out of curiosity a chance. And these two latter are the bulk of the population anywhere. They are the people, who are going to swell the audiences when they learn to like music, which they will do when they get it Modi cheap, and often. The education at the masses in a love for the beautiful, as erpressed in music, should ho the serious business of any enlightened nation. New Zealand has led the world in many progressive movements. What is she going to do for musieT The .Vow South Wales Orchestra costs the Slate nothing—in fact it is a moneymaker. Do New Zealanders want an orchestra like it? They can have it on two conditions. First, that they get a big enough man at the top—a verbmgghen for instance—and atottey enough to guarantee the salaries and working expenses until the thing U a going concern. The orchestra should bo State supported for many reasdns* As n. private speculation it would be ft profitable undertaking. Mr. Verbruggheii's term with the New South Walei Government is up nest August, and powerful influences are at work t<| induce him to go to America. He hag alsp had three separate private offers In Australia. My alternative suggestion is that an arrangement be made between the Governments of New South Wales and New Zealand for periodical viliti «# the New South Wales Orchestra to the Dominion.—l am, etc., . ALFRED Hts£.