NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 64, 13 September 1940, Page 39

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

OVERS of the classics frequently bemoan the " appalling popularity " of dance music. No amount of lamentation, however, can alter the position, as shown in the catalogues of recording companies, who, after all, are not in business for fun. If any type of music is not sufficiently well received to make it a paying proposition it soon ceases to be recorded-a fact which leads straight to the conclusion that, although " jazz" has been regularly pronounced to be dying ever since it made its appearance, it is more than holding its position as the type of music most heavily dealt in by record manufacturers. Researches have shown clearly, though, that only an infinitesimal percentage of radio listeners use programmes of dance music for the purpose of dancing. They listen to it for its entertainment value and prefer it "diluted." The fundamental and insistent four-beats toa bar of foxtrot rhythm becomes at first vaguely, and later strongly, irritating if kept up too long without relief; except, of course, to the most ardent rhythmfans, whose numerical smallness demands that their desires take second place to the wishes of the great majority. These facts caused 4ZB, some time ago, to abandon late evening dance sessions on week nights, and the new policy has met with the unqualified approval of listeners. Bright, popular dance records are still heard from 4ZB after 10 p.m., but they are intermingled with a spice of humour and music other than the dancing kind; the whole effect is vastly more pleasing and varied. The programme staff of 4ZB has ies from experience that contrast, and plenty of it, is the keynote in the building of a programme to please that elusive * middlebrow ""-the average listener. "At the Console" Listeners who enjoy Findlay Robb’s 2ZB session "At the Console" every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon at 3.30 p.m., will be interested to learn his programmes for sessions next week, On Monday, September 16, G. T. Pattman will entertain from the Astoria Theatre, London, his numbers being "Indian Love Lyrics" and "In a Monastery Garden." On Wednesday, September 18, Quentin McLean will present a selection entitled "Everybody’s Opera," and Gershwin’s famous "Rhapsody in Blue." On Friday, September 20, Henry Croudson, playing at the Paramount Theatre, Manchester, will present a descriptive piece, "A Motor Ride," and Sydney Gustard on the organ of the Gaumont Palace Cinema, Chester,

will be heard playing a medley of compositions by Eric Coates, and a selection of "Drury Lane Memories." That's Service! At 12.15 p.m. every Friday, 1ZB presents a last minute shopping reminder service, which is proving of great value to housewives. This last minute news of shopping bargains and values is extremely helpful to Friday shoppers. " Little Theatre of the Air " Great excitement is in the air among the girls and boys who attend the 4ZB Children’s Hour-by ‘"‘Peter’s" announcement that he is to search for the cream of the talent to perform in the "Little Theatre of the Air," The young people will handle the entire production. This session has been sponsored by

a leading merchant and the boys and girls will also read the "commercials." This should be a golden opportunity for young aspirants to radio fame. In England Now In England, commercial broadcasting is banned, and the English people are expected to rely on their entertainment entirely on the British Broadcasting Corporation, with its regional stations. But prior to the war, many people used to turn to Radio Luxembourg and Radio Normandie for light and breezy entertainment. These were commercial stations operating from the Continent, but containing matter of interest to. British people, and, of course, conducted in English. What happened was that commercial programmes were recorded in London at private studios, and the records shipped to the Continent, and

broadcast from there. Then, of course, those who wanted that kind of entertainment would tune in to Luxembourg or Normandie. With things as they are to-day, it is no longer possible for the British people to obtain @ commercial broadcasting service from the Continent, and they are completely dependent on the BBC. Realising the situation, however, the. BBC has taken steps to brighten its programmes. An interesting recent innovation has been the engagement of Sir Seymour Hicks, who has been placed in charge of all entertainment for the troops. More Young Stars Station 2ZB’s next’ presentation of the "Stars of. To-morrow" vwill take place on Sunday, October 6, at 6.30 p.m. Every Saturday morning 2ZB’s Lounge presents a busy scene. It is full of eager young artists clutching music and instrument cases, waiting their turn to be auditioned and hear the judge’s verdict. Many boy and girl singers are forth coming, but instrumentalists are rare. Among the "stars" already chosen for the next show is Ray Harris, who, though only 11 years old, is an excellent pianist. Fifteen and Untrained When the finals of the competition to find the Christchurch Linda Ware were recently judged before a crowded theatre, the audience enthusiastically confirmed the judges’ decision in announcing fifteen-year-old Daphne Judson the winner, Although the theatre audience -and listeners who had followed the competition with interest through the preliminary stages broadcast each night for a week from 3ZB were not in the least surprised at the final result, the element of surprise was reserved for the judges, who learned after their decision had been announced that the winning voice was untrained. Displaying natural talent to a rare degree, Daphne Judson thrilled her audience with the flexibility and clarity of her voice in an almost faultless performance of Benedict’s "La Capinera." Recognising her daughter’s talents and fully alive to her duty in carefully planning for Daphne’s future ‘development, Mrs. Judson will permit only rare public performances until such time as her daughter’s training begins and she is better able to stand the strain of regular appearances without risk of injury to her voice, On Sunday, September 22, at 7.15 p.m, 3ZB listeners will hear a ballad recital by this talented young artist. She will be accompanied by the 3ZB Instrumental Trio.