MUSIC & DRAMA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1939, Page 2

MUSIC & DRAMA

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS WELL-KNOWN SINGERS ENGAGED. VARIOUS COMPETITIONS. “Whatever attitude the people in some localities may have about modifying their programmes of Centennial celebrations, I believe firmly that the whole public of New Zealand will be unanimous in a wish for a complete performance of the Centennial Music and Drama festivals which are being planned by the National Centennial Music Committee with the assistance of Provincial Music Committees,” states the Hon. W. E. Parry. Minister of Internal Affairs, in a review of the arrangements. The Minister mentions that the Centennial Music Committees in the four main centres are co-operating enthusiastically with the National Committee and each has planned a tentative programme which is expected to be outstanding in interest and cultural value. VISITING ARTISTS.

As adjudicator, conductor, and musical adviser, the National Centennial Music Committee, in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Service, has engaged Mr Andersen Tyrer, a musician and composer of high standing in British musical circles. Arrangements have also been made for the engagement of the following well-known singers who will take a prominent part in the festivals of the main centres: —Soprano, Miss Isobel Baillie, London; tenor, Mr Heddle Nash, London; contralto, Miss Gladys Ripley, London; bass, Mr Oscar Natschcke, New Zealand and London.

In the programmes of the provincial committees it is proposed to include the production of the opera “Faust.” If this proves to be practicable the National Committee will assist by making available the four principal singers, as well as the costumes for a chorus of forty. CHOIR COMPETITIONS. It is also intended to conduct in each of the four main centres, prior to the main festivals, a choir competition, the test pieces for which are: —"Music When Soft Voices Die," by Andersen Tyrer, and “Diaphenia,” by C. V. Stanford.

The competitions will be open to mixed choirs of not more than forty voices. It is hoped that, as these contests will provide an opportunity for a large number of singers to take a direct part in the Centennial Music festivals, entries will be received from all parts of New Zealand. If the response is satisfactory the National Centennial Committee will provide return transport expenses to enable the winning choirs in the Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch centres to compete at Wellington in the final competition in April, 1940. The first prize in the final contest will be £125, the second £5O, and the third £25. The conditions of the competition will be advertised soon by the Provincial Music Committees. Arrangements are being made to ensure an adequate supply of the test pieces.

STRING QUARTETTE. It is intended also to conduct a competition for string quartettes, the test pieces for which are: —First movement quartette in D major "The Lark” by Haydn, and first movement quartette in A minor Op. 51 by Brahms. Here again it was hoped there would I be a response from all parts of the Dominion, Conditions of the competition will be advertised by’ the Provincial Music Committees. Facilities will be granted to enable the winning quartettes in Auckland. Dunedin, and Christchurch to compete at Wellington in the final competition for the first and second prizes, £5O and £25. ONE ACT PLAY. With a view to stimulating intent in drama, the National Centeaftial Music Committee proposes to arrange to conduct through the provincial committees and with the assistance of the British Drama League a competition for a one-act play. Here again the winning teams in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin respectively will be granted return transport expenses to enable them to compete at Wellington in the finals for prizes of £5O and £25. CENTENNIAL CHOIR. The National Centennial Council is willing to arrange for the assembling of forty-five selected voices, which in association with the four principal singers will form a Centennial Choir to be made available for the Music Festivals in the main centres. The National Committee will pay the transport expenses of the choristers, but other expenses will be the concern of the provincial committees. CENTENNIAL ORCHESTRA. It is expected that as one continuing result of the Centennial Music festivals. New Zealand will have an established National Orchestra. This should follow the decision of the National Centennial Music Committee to assemble a Centennial Orchestra which will be a feature of the music festivals. The assembling of the players will be under the- direct control of Professor Shelley. Director of the National Broadcasting Service, assisted by Mr Maurice Clare. ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS. Entries for a competition for original compositions have already been invited by the National Centennial Music Committee; these comprise a choral composition, orchestral composition, a one-act radio play, and a one-act stage play. A first prize of £7O and a second prize of £3O will be awarded in each section. The final date of entry is November 30.

The following periods in 1940 will be observed in presenting the Centennial Music and Drama festivals in the four main centres, dates inclusive:—Auckland, May 13 to 19: Christchurch, May 25 to June 1; Dunedin, June 8 to 15; Wellington. June 22 to 29.