PERMANENT ORCHESTRA FOR TASMANIA

New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 458, 2 April 1948, Page 24

PERMANENT ORCHESTRA FOR TASMANIA

RRANGEMENTS have been made for the establishment of a permanent Tasmanian Orchestra, according to a statement made the other day by R. J. F. Boyer, Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. A Bill is being presented to the Tasmanian Parliament to authorise financial assistance by the State Government for the orchestra’s establishment, and the City Councils of Hobart and Launceston *have agreed to co-operate in the project. "When this matter is finalised,’ Mr. Boyer said, "Tasmania will become the third State to recognise governmental and municipal responsibility to assist the Commission’s work in maintaining an orchestra of adequate proportions. New South Wales led the way, followed by Queensland. In New South Wales the Commission contributes £36,000 per annum, the State Government £20,000, and the Sydney City Council £10,000. In Queensland the Commission contributes £21,000, the State Government £10,000, and the Brisbane City Council

£5,000. We are hopeful that similar arrangements will ultimately be made in all States of the Commonwealth. In previous years the Australian Broadcasting Commission has maintained

a small permanent orchestra in Hobart. It was used both for broadcasting and public performances, but the high cost of concerts in Tasmania had made it likely that it would have to be disbanded. Under the arrangements now contemplated, however, the Commission’s orchestra in Hobart would be increased from 17 to 24 players, six of the additional, members being engaged locally, and one from the mainland. The orchestra would also be augmented from time to time by seven additional players, making 31 in all, for a series of orchestral concerts at popular prices. A minimum of 13 of these concerts each year would be given in the main centres, while at least tw6 free concerts a year would be given to school-children. In addition, the studio orchestra of 24 players would probably pay occasional visits to the schgols. State Subsidy The total cost of the augmented orchestra is expected to be approximately £19,000 a year, of which the Commission will provide about £13,250. The Tasmanian State Government’s Bill proposes to make available a subsidy of £5,000 per annum, and the Hobart and Launceston City Councils £500 and £250 respectively.

The result of this collaboration, if finalised, will mean that the orchestral provision for Tasmania will be assured on a basis not only within the Commission’s financial resources, but more worthy of the State and much nearer to its musical requirements. It will ensure more.employment for local orchestral players, and a general. improvement in orchestral standards. In fact, it has always been the policy of the Commission to make possible in all States facilities for the development of an orchestra of adequate quality many years ahead of the time when this would normally have been possible. With six State orchestras to finance, however, it had become increasingly clear that the Commission’s work required financial support from State funds, and this had been especially true in Tasmania. The Commission now hopes that statutory approval will be given to the Tas--manian proposals, so that the Tasmanian Orchestra can become a_ co-operative enterprise between the Commission, the Government, and the Municipal authorities, so establishing itself as a much more significant factor in the State’s cultural life. s