WITH RADIO FROM THE START

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 117, 19 September 1941, Page 43

WITH RADIO FROM THE START

Agnes Shearsby's Long Experience N_ artist whose broadcasting experience dates almost as far back as broadcasting experience could be obtained in New Zealand is Agnes Shearsby, who will be giving a piano recital from 1YA on September 27. She was one of the first pianists to broadcast in the days of headphenes and crystal sets and she has been closely associated with radio in various capacities ever since, A Wellingtonian by birth, Miss Shearsby started early on a musical career. She composed her first song at

T the age of 11 and when she grew up she won several competitions for composition, one including a movement in sonata form. Her work in this department includes pieces for violin, piano, trio, and trumpet, and she has also several songs to her credit. ; In the days of the silent films she was engaged for some years as a conductress of theatre orchestras and she has acted in the same. capacity for visiting theatrical companies. Her first broadcast was made in 1923 from the old 3AC station, in the Robert Francis building in Christchurch, and between 1932 and 1940 she was regularly on the air in jazz and novelty, as well

as in classical piano items. With the 3¥A Studio Orchestra she has presented compositions as diverse as Mendelssohn’s G Minor Concerto and Billy Mayerl’s "Four Aces Suite," and as pianist of the 3YA Chamber Music Players she has assisted in the broadcasting of many quintets and quartets by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Cesar Franck, Schubert and Fauré.

Before she went to Christchurch (in) 1932), Miss Shearsby was in Auckland and became well known to children there as " Cousin Nessie" in the LYA children’s hour. In Christchurch she continued this branch of: her activities and was at one time deputy organiser for the children’s hour. Now that she is back in Auckland she is once more giving welcome assistance to " Cinderella."