STATE ORCHESTRA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1922, Page 5

STATE ORCHESTRA.

NEW SOUTH WALES BODY. DECISION TO DISBAND. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Sydney, June 1. The directors of the State Orchestra informed the Board of Advice that they had decided to recommend to subscribers that the guarantee fund be terminated. The final decision in regard to the State Orchestra was largely due to Mr. Verbrugghen’s acceptance of an appointment at Minneapolis, involving a second half-year’s leave without pay and delaying his return to Australia until February next. The directors recommended the termination of all arrangements connected with the fund, any eventual small surplus to be distributed amongst the shareholders pro rata. Altogether £10,090 was raised by the shareholders, of which New Zealand contributed £lOOO. ‘When Mr. Skalski took charge there was about £4500 in hand to carry on his engagement, which ends on September 5. The Government within a few days is giving three months’ notice to members of the State Orchestra. Mrs Cyril Monk, leader of the orchestra, in an eleventh hour appeal to save the orchestra, states the latter could be made a good business proposition by holding fewer performances and reducing the prices. Sydney, having wrested the musical palm from Melbourne, should make extra efforts to retain it. THE CONDUCTOR’S TERMS. THE SALARY REQUIRED. Received June 2, 11.45 p.m. Sydney, June 2. In the course of a letter to Sir Arthur Rickard (chairman of the trustees of the State Orchestra), Mr. Verbrugghen states he will not give up the wider field in America unless some real understanding is arrived at, and he will not allow sentiment to over-ride common sense. He gives the terms on which he will remain in charge of the State Orchestra, namely, a salary as conductor at the rate of £l5OO a year and the position as Director of the State Conservatorium to be made perijnanent at a salary of £l5OO a year, on the understanding that should the orchestra cease to exist the salary as director to automatically rise to £2OOO.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.