COMPOSERS GET TOGETHER

New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 924, 26 April 1957, Page 26

COMPOSERS GET TOGETHER

"T-HE New Zealand composer is no longer on his own. If he has something of value then the channels are now open-even as far as performance and recording in other parts of the world." These words were spoken by the General Manager of the Australasian Performing Right Association, T. S. Woodbridge, after the first New Zealand convention of full writer members of APRA held in Wellington on April 4. In describing the conference, Mr Woodbridge said: "An event of tremendous importance to composers and others took place in Wellington last week. This was the inaugural Convention of New Zealand composers which, by a unanimous decision of its members, set up a New Zealand Advisory Council. The Council consists of the Conductor for the time being of the National Orchestra; A. D. Heenan, as representative of the Broadcasting Service; A. Gittings, representing music publishers; Dr Vernon Griffiths, Professor of Music at Canterbury University College; Douglas Lilburn, Lecturer in Music at Victoria University College; | Llewelyn Jones, of Auckland; and A. E. Rolfe, New Zealand Manager of APRA, as Chairman." Mr Woodbridge said this was the first time that a comprehensive body of composers had gathered together in New Zealand and discussed their own domestic problems with the primary object of advancing the possibility of performance of their works in whatever modern form was possible-broadcasting, recording and publishing in New Zealand and Australia. The plan of the Advisory Council was devised, he said, to follow the pattern set down in Australia for Australian composers under what is known as the APRA Award Foundation. This body had been established for eight to ten years now and had done valuable work for its writer members, especially those who compose in the more serious vein. The New Zealand Advisory Council will be associated with the Award Committee’s activities on behalf of New Zealand composers, as a "screening" authority with powers to recommend New Zealand compositions. These will

then be sent to Australia for a final decision. Mr Woodbridge said that the Council would also discuss ways in which the compositions selected could be placed on record or tape and so win renown through New Zealand performances before being sent to Australia. Discussing other functions of the Council, Mr Woodbridge said it. would try to co-ordinate the activities of New Zealand writers with record companies, publishers and the NZBS, it would seek conferences with the New Zealand National Film Unit, and it would try to establish a firm understanding and liaison with the Musicians’ Union to make the transition from manuscript to performance as smooth as possible. "The Board of Directors of the Australasian Performing Right Association ate indeed proud to have been responsible for the setting up of this body in New Zealand," said Mr Woodbridge, "They feel certain that with such a sound body of businessmen, plus the composers themselves, there will be a tremendous impetus given to the interest in writing music and the opportunities opening for composers should

give great heart to those who write music in New Zealand." Mr Woodbridge mentioned that Australian composers have already benefited gteatly from the establishment of the APRA Foundation. Last year they received from broadcasting alone about. £22,000 for performing rights. Ten or 12 years ago this figure ‘was less than £1000 a year. Mr Woodbridge also mentioned that the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under Nicolai Malko would soon be recording an LP of Alfred Hill's "Green Water" and Robert Hughes’s "Xanadu"-winner ,of an APRA-ABC competition held for symphonic works two years ago. "The public may not be aware of the high costs involved in producing a musical score,’ said Mr Woodbridge. "These leave a composer completely in the wilderness unless he has some organisation to help him. From the work of this Council, we may see only one good composition a year for the first few years, but that doesn’t matter. At least we've broken the stalemate and got started." One other point made by Mr Woodbridge was that the General Manager of the ABC had asked him to say. that his organisation was extremely anxious and willing to present works on the ABC network that had been recommended by this Council.