ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 September 1938, Page 4

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

THE HISTORY AND GROWTH NEXT TUESDAY’S CONCERT The Masterton Orchestral Society, which is to present its second concert of 4he 1938 season at the Opera House next Tuesday, has suffered many vicissitudes since its establishment some 34 years ago, Mr J. Candy, observed to a “Times-Age” representative today. “But of recent years it has been’ very successful,” Mr Candy added, “and at next week’s concert we will have more than 40 players in the orchestra.” The first concert of the society was ***’ given on June 6, 1904 in the old St Matthew’s Church Schoolroom, now the Sccut’s Den, and in order to stimulate interest in orchestral music admission was free. “This definitely appealed,” said Mr Candy, “and a large number of people were soon enrolled as honorary members, sufficient to warrant the continuance of the so- • ciety’s work.” The first conductor was Mr J. F. Hunn, and the first president was the late Dr W. H. Hosking. The conductors in those early days included the Rev Wyndham Earee, Mr Sydney Earee, Mr R. H. Rathbone, Mr Purcell Webb and Mr J. Candy. With the advent of moving picture, a new avenue of employment was opened up to musicians, and as so many local players were given positions in the theatre orchestras, it was increasingly difficult to maintain a strong orchestral personnel for the society’s work. Consequently active work ceased for a time until Mr Noble, a musical enthusiast, revived the society. Miss Hall later directed the orchestra. When theatre orchestras were disbanded on the introduction of talking pictures, musicians were free once more and with an impetus given by a Music Week, a fresh lease of life was given the society. For the past eight years a high standard of performance has been maintained, and on Tuesday next a particularly fine programme will be rendered.