ORCHESTRAL CLOSE-UP—5
ROBERT GIRVAN’S musical career began when his brother bought him a soprano saxophone for his 21st birthday. Realising that he would not be able to play it at dances, he decided to buy himself an alto. The long association with music that started then was eventually to lead him to the National Orchestra, where he is now first. bassoon. It was not long before he learnt to find his way around the alto saxophone and was playing at dances, and after two years at Napier
he crossed over to Sydney. There, in two years, he gained much experience in cance bands and playing for shows, and when he came back to New Zealand he played in the Majestic Peter Pan circuit. Then came the war, and in 1942 Robert Girvan joined the R.N.Z.A.F, Band. "I had the idea of taking on the bassoon because at that time there were practically no _ bassoon players in the country," he says. "Besides being no players there were no teachers, so I had to teach myself. I had a French system _ instrument at the time, Then the National Orchestra was formed. They were still short of bassoons, and it happened that I was able to buy a bassoon from someone who'd been a prisoner of war. That was the start of it." Since then he has been continuously with the Orchestra and has never missed a concert.
Still at home with clarinet, saxophone and trumpet, Bob Girvan is well known in various dance bands in Wellington. The musical tradition continues in the family, for his daughter plays the piano and his son the clarinet. Music occupies most of Mr Girvan’s life, He is a member of the New Zealand Wind Ensemble and does a great deal of arranging of music for various combinations. These activities don’t leave him much time for hobbies, and in the little that is left over he is well occupied with his car, which seems to be a trial as well as a convenience.
"JUNIOR OPINION," in which children comment spontaneously on topics raised by an interviewer, has been a popular feature of the Friday, morning "Women’s Session" from 3YZ. The interviewer, David Ford, seen here with a panel of children, visits primary schools to record the programmes.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19570726.2.40
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 937, 26 July 1957, Page 21
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380ORCHESTRAL CLOSE-UP—5 New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 937, 26 July 1957, Page 21
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