PEOPLE IN THE PROGRAMMES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 41, 5 April 1940, Page 20

PEOPLE IN THE PROGRAMMES

Tibbett Picked Him ] VAN W. HANNA, one of Dunedin's most promising young singers, will be heard in a recital from 4YA on Saturday, April 13. His rise to the forefront of young New Zealand singers has been rapid. His training began some two years ago, and his repertoire now covers a wide range of song. A successful career was predicted for him by Lawrence Tibbett, and by the equally famous soprano, Gladys Moncrieff. — * Eg * Prefers the Studio RNEST ROGERS, tenor, is a native of Blaenovon, Monmouthshire, cn borders of South Wales, the Land of Choirs and Singers. He received his early training from the late Evan Williams, a well-known

soloist and conductor in South Wales. In 1918 he served in Ireland and France with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and had useful experience in concert parties while in the army. He came to New Zealand in 1926 and has since taken an active interest in the musical life of the city. both as

@ soloist and as a member of the Male Voice Choir (under Dr. J. C. Bradshaw), the Orpheus Choir, and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Choir. Mr. Rogers has sung for many musical societies in Canterbury, and had the honour of *being the tenor soloist in Wellington during the performance of "Elijah" under the baton of Dr. Malcolm Sargent. He has broadcast from 3YA periodically since the opening of the studio. He ‘prefers singing in the studio to appearing in -public. %* % * Children’s Choir EORGE M. MARTIN, Mus.Bac., "F.T.C.L., L.R.S.M., Musical Director of the Primary Schools’ Music Festival Association, has been visiting forty-six. Christchurch Public and

Primary Schools in preparation for the Centennial Schools’ Choral display, which will be broadcast by 3YA. Up to 2,000 children will take part. He has chosen an attractive programme of eleven songs — classical, traditional, or modern-and is supervising the teaching of these’ in the individual schools. Each school is contributing 30 to 60 girls and boys to the massed choir. Under Mr. Martin’s system the children are learning these songs from the actual musical notation, thereby laying foundations for further musical training. Attention is also being given to choral technique. Appreciation of visits by one in authority have been expressed by headmasters and teachers. The movement has stimulated the teaching of singing and music in the schools generally. Mr. Martin is also interested in commencing and furthering instrumental study in the primary. schools and has over 100 children at present engaged in learning the flageolet as a preparatory stage to the studying of the flute, clarinet or oboe. At the forthcoming display on April 10, a small group will demonstrate the possibility of these sweet-toned instruments. As a result of this preparatory work in one school in Christchurch six children have started the study of the flute, a hopeful sign for the wood-wind sections of local orchestras in years to come. Mr. Martin is the organist at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Christchurch; honorary pianist to the Christchurch Liedertafel; and honorary deputy conductor to the Christchurch Harmonic Society. * * * Pair for Patter HITE AND RENO have been "pattering" for 4YA for three years. Both are New Zealanders. Their work for radio is something that has not often been developed successfully by "home-grown" artists. White started his stage career with the Christchurch Operatic Society, as a vocalist, in 1912. He continued until 1915, when he enlisted in the N.Z.M.R. and went to Egypt. Early in 1918 he joined the Palestine Kiwis. The producer was Padre Duffy. They toured the hospitals in Palestine and Egypt, and gave their last two performances in the Y.M.C.A.’s huge openair theatre in Cairo. When he returned to Christchurch in November, 1919, White = to his career on the stage and eventually started as a "super" with J. C. Williamson’s in such shows as." Chu Chin Chow," " Cairo," " Sally," " Cabaret Girl," " Wildflower," " Maid of the Mountains," "Rose Marie," "Peep Show" and numerous other musical comedies. From. Christchurch he was transferred to Dunedin and decided to drop vocal work and adopt character singing for the concert platform. He met Reno and they decided to amalgamate. They eventually found their way, nearly © three years ago, to the studios of 4YA. Reno started stage work as a juggler, some 25 years ago, and has since worked

in several revue companies under the Fuller and J. C. Williamson banners and with other visiting companies. He just started patter work about 10 years ago, and was among the first local performers for the old 4YA station in

Moray Place. He has worked with his present partner for more than five years. They make up their own work. and try to avoid any gags they hear on records. Reno served with the N.Z.E.F. during the last war and gave several concerts in the Camps in New Zealand. * * = Lyric Soprano [DOROTHY BARRON, Dunedin lyric soprano, is the daughter of a fine tenor singer, and has inherited all the qualities that make a fine vocalist. She began her musical education in Auckland and continued when she

settied ine Wunedin, with the late Effie Yorston. She won her L.R.S.M. and L.T.C.L. for pianoforte. She is also an accomplished organist and holds an appointment at the Caversham Presbyterian Church. Following her pianoforte successes she turned her attention to singing. Her voice is a true

lyric of extensive range. She is able to turn her musicianship and artistry to effective account and is equal to the demands of the most exacting music. She is frequently heard with the Lyric Choir and from 4YA. Her hobbies are motoring and swimming: she is a keen motorist. * bal * Piano to Voice MEDA PAINE, 4YA sstudio artist, first studied the piano, but later won a open scholarship for singing, offered by Harold Browning, from whom she received all her training in Dunedin. After she had won her L.R.S.M. degree, Miss Paine went to Melbourne, where she was, for some time, a student

at the Melba Conservatorium, at the time when Dame Nellie Melba was appearing in Grand Opera. She remembers, with pleasure, Melba’s visits, and

Fritz Hart’s interpretation classes held at the Conservatorium. She taught for several yeats in Dunedin and then went to London and the Centinent. In London, she studied voice production with the late Frank Broadbent, and while on the Continent, went to Lausanne as

New Zealand Delegate to the Anglo-American Music Conference, Miss Paine is one of the foundation members of the Otago Society of Women Musicians. She has been conductor of the Cecilia Choir of Ladies since its beginning 14 years ago, %* * * Varied Career f boosh REV. LAWRENCE M. ROGERS has had a varied career, Fiera in Southland, he was a civil servant for several years before he >

entered Otago University and the Presbyterian Theological Hall. While in Dunedin he was assistant minister to the Rey. Tulloch Yuille, at Knox Church, and was afterwards minister of churches in Hamilton and Christchurch. He is now editor of the "Outlook," the

official magazine of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. Mr. Rogers is often heard in the talk sessions from 3YA and conducting relayed church services. * * * Started Young LLEN WELLBROCKX is a well-known pianist in Christchurch. He came from a musical family and he started

on the piano about the time he began to walk. In his year, he obtained highest marks in the Associated Board examination in New Zealand and _ was awarded an Exhibition at the Royal College of Music, London. He spent three years in London and obtained the A.R.C.M. He

now practises in Christchurch, and is often heard from Station 3YA. His hobbies: walking and surf-bathing,