QUALITY AND VARIETY IN PROGRAMMES.

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 41, 27 April 1928, Page 4

QUALITY AND VARIETY IN PROGRAMMES.

We would particularly draw the attention of readers to a pronouncement on the vexed question of quality versus variety in programmes, which has been made by an experienced programme organiser in the United States, Mr. Robert Hurd, of KFI. This is reproduced in toto on page 5, and contains points which are particularly applicable to the Dominion. From this statement it is plain that the United States in spite of its greater resources in talent and population, has experienced the same complaint from listeners as regards lack of variety in programmes as have been experienced in this country. The broadcasting stations have been faced with the problem of giving variety in the personnel of performers, and thus necessarily sacrificing quality, or maintaining quality of performance at the risk of incurring charges of monotony and lack of variety. The observations of Mr. Hurd are so applicable to our circumstances that we need do little more than direct attention to them. As a musical director his definite choice falls in favour of maintaining quality in performer. A comparison that he makes with the daily newspaper and the moving picture is quite pertinent and interesting. One daily paper, he points out, is much the same as another, and the vast percentage of its news to-day is written by the same pets that supplied it yesterday. In the moving picture halls the same stars are featured to-day as dominated the scene recently. Quality in personnel is maintained, and variety secured by a widened appeal. The lesson to our mind is wholly in favour of the finished performer being encouraged to widen his or her repertoire to the fullest possible extent. This is not to be taken as withholding opportunity from aspiring performers-but these aspirants must, in our opinion, in justice to the listener, be required to measure up to the standard desired before being broadcast. Variety of performer in itself has no virtue. The measures being taken to secure variety in regard to the new professional orchestra for 2Y.A seem likely to give practical satisfaction. It is hoped they will do so. As to the quality of this orchestra there can be no question. It is in essence an all-star cast, and takes rank as the premier combination in the Dominion. Small in numbers-ten per-formers-it is, however, fully capable of rendering finished interpretations, and with the scope being given for public selection of items, it would seem that a considerable degree of satisfaction should result. In essence the public is to be given the task of pleasing itself.