SCHOLA CANTORUM

New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 387, 22 November 1946, Page 7

SCHOLA CANTORUM

Sir,-Recently, while on a visit to Wellington, I had for the first time the privilege of hearing the Schola Cantorum in. a programme of choral music. In 1938 and 1939, while in England and the United States, I heard the Huddersfield Choral Union, the London Philharmonic Choir, and some of the finest choirs in the United States. With these standards still fresh in my mind I would unhesitatingly place the Schola Cantorum amongst the great choirs of the world. Under the inspired guidance of Stanley Oliver they have attained to a

standard of such technical efficiency, of such beautiful and varied tone colour, of such vital interpretation, that they would speedily become famous in any of the world’s great cities. Music lovers throughout New Zealand have very much appreciated the opportunity of hearing some of the world’s greatest artists through tours sponsored by the Broadcasting Service. 1 would suggest that a tour of New Zealand under the auspices of the NZBS by this really outstanding choir would be most keenly appreciated by music lovers throughout the Dominion and would prove a tremendous stimulus to the development of choral music in New Zealand. I sincerely hope that such a tour can and will be arranged in the near future, and I feel confident that the NZBS will have the co-operation of all music organisations in making the necessary arrange-

ments.

V. E.

GALWAY

(Blair Professor of Music in the

University of Otago),