A FINE MUSICIAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1938, Page 4

A FINE MUSICIAN

THE LATE JAMES CANDY. (To the Editor.) Sir, —May I crave a little space in your .valuable paper, to express our sincere regret at the great loss, not only to the musical portion, but to the whole community of Masterton, in the sudden demise of one of its most worthy citizens, the late Mr James Candy. He first came to Masterton in LOB 3, being fresh from his military career in one of the most prominent and .celebrated of Imperial military bands in England (which has already been published in his obituary notice). He took work ’of various kinds in order to get a start in this country, but was out of his element, until he established himself in business as a music seller and piano tuner. He became associated with the late Herr von Heisenberg, a welLknown exponent and teacher of the pianoforte, who immediately discovered the late Mr Candy’s capabilities as a player, far above the ordinary of the violin, viola and clarinet. Shortly afterwards they established a dance orchestra entitled Keisenberg and Candy’s Dance Band, which existed for many years. The writer was privileged to be a member of the above band from its inception, and many times Mr Keisenberg would remark to the writer, his fears that Mr Candy would find his ambitions too cramped by staying in Masterton, and that he would eventually leave this small town for a city, where there would probably be more scope for his ability. The deciding factor, however, was his marriage to the daughter of a highly respected resident of this town. Masterton thereby gained a very valuable acquisition to its citizens. He was also a conductor of outstanding ability, having trained choirs in competitions with success, besides picture orchestras, but his whole heart was in the Orchestral Society, which he brought to a high state of perfection. His beat was easy to follow, and those of us who had the privilege of playing under his baton, could feel the influence of his masterly personality, and the inspiration which was imparted to us all throughout each phrase to the finale of each item. The society will have no easy task in finding a conductor who is prepared to devote so much time to the orchestration required in a society such as ours. It is difficult to realise, that we shall not look upon his smiling face again, nor hear his encouraging voice saying: “Let us try that movement again.” It was an incentive to us all to endeavour to atain the effect he desired.,

Many amateur conductors of various choirs, bands and small orchestras in Masterton who sought his interpretation of music they submitted to him. were given many “tips” in reference to tempo and balance, and they have remarked afterwards, that if they could please James Candy they were sure of pleasing the general public. I think every citizen of Masterton and especially the members of the society, both active and honorary, will feel glad to think they took the opportunity at the close of the 1937 season, while our beloved conductor, .James Candy, was with us here, to appoint our esteemed president (Mr A. Clemas) to present our conductor with a silver mounted baton as a small token of their esteem and appreciation for his many years of service to the society and to the town of Masterton. The "G” string has broken on our harp, like a bird with a broken wing, but hiS memory we’ll cherish within our hearts. In respectful reverence wo say. “Farewell Jim." —I am. etc.. ’ ' A.W.R. Masterton, October 20.