Orchestra Arranged for 3YA by Mr. Harold Beck

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 4, 10 August 1928, Page 10

Orchestra Arranged for 3YA by Mr. Harold Beck

f is now nearly & year since the Christchurch . Broadcasting Trio was first heard. from 8YA. jt instantly leapt into " popular favour, and it has maintained that honoured position ever since. This is in itself a remarkable achievement. But perhaps it would be even more correct to say that as time goes on the popularity of these instrumentalists increases. Under Mr. Harold.Beck the trio seems to be able to cater to the public’s taste to a nicety. .It is a rare gift. [NX view of the popularity of the trio, much interest will be taken in the: announcement that an orchestra under the baton of Mr. Beck will appear next week at 3YA. This is further indica-

tion of the enterprise and enthusiasm which Mr, Beek throws into his work. X'r, Beek has secured the services of some of the best instrumental artists in Christchurch, and formed them into wun orchestra, which will be engaged iy SYA. Most of the artists are already" well-known performers at 3YA, but some are new to radio work. (Pur orchestra’ will appear twice a week at 8Y¥A, and is certain to be a great success, for, under the able conductorship of Mr. Beck it is likely to be as popular a combination as is the trio. It need hardly be added that the splendid trio, although in-

corporated in the orchestra, will maintain its identity at 3Y.A Personnel of Orchestra. Mr. Harold Beek, conductor. Miss Irene Morris, violinist (leader). Miss Millar, violin. ° Mr. Joseph Mercer, viola. Miss Nellie Ellwood, ’ceilo. Me, A. P. de la Cour, bass. Miss Aileen Warren, pianist. Mr, W. Hay, flute, Mr, S. E. Munday, Clarinet. Mr. W. Marquet, cornet. Mr. Frank Bishop, trombone. Mr. Harold Beck, the Conductor. ME- HAROLD BECK, who will: conduct 8YA’s studio orchestra, is an artist of whom his homeland should be

proud. His recitals and performances as a ’cellist while associated on tours with some of the world’s best artists have achieved for him a distinct national fame. IIe showed wonderful ability as a child. While touring with his brother as child prodigies, they won the most popular triumphs wherever they went, and later both proceeded to Hurope. He made appearances in England while still a youth, critics predicting a brillinant future for him. Here he became a member of’ St. Nicholas’ Church Choir, receiving choral training under Hayden Hare, Mus.Bac. Returning to New Zealand, he appeared for import-

ant musical societies,. and proceeded on a successful tour in the North Tsland in 1919. On the oecasion of the visit of the New South Wales State Orchestra, M. Henri Verbrugghen immediately offered him a permanent engagement with this organisation. He was ‘associated with the orchestra for .two years, during which time he -greatly ‘extended: ‘his knowledge of symphoni¢, operatic, and" chamber. music, and in ‘this connection played trios and quartets with artists and organisations such as .the Henri Staell String Quartet, Alfred Hill, Law- . rence Godfrey Smith, Cyril Monk, and Frank Hutchens, besides playing for regular weekly chamber music classes at the Conservatorium. In addition, he played in the orchestras of the Royal Philharmonic Society, Apollo Club, and vad = ~~ el

Sydne~ Choral Society. Besides appearing as soloist in Australia and New Zealand with the Verbrugghen Orchestra, he has toured with Harry Dearth. Stella Power, William G.. James, Kate Campion, and Stella "furray. — Since settling in Christchurch, where he is well knowh as a teacher, he has formed the Harold Beck String Quartet, the Christchurch Broadcasting Trio, and a chamber orchestra of his own. He has also conducted performances at all the principal theatres, and is at present conductor of the Christchurch Savage Club Orchestra.

Miss Irene Morris; First Violin. [SS IRENT MORRIS; the viglinist -"™ of the trio, und Who will be first violinist of the orchestra, is a distin--guished New Zealand yiolinist who has . won great praise from the highest musical eritics. She commenced her, musical studies at the early age of ‘three, learning the pianoforte from her mother. A little later she began her vio-’ ‘lin study under the excellent guidance — of Herr Max: Dioppe, with whom she studied for several years, subsequently coming to Christchurch, where she had further tuition with the late Mr. F. M. Wallace, and other leading teachers.. Miss Morris is a well-known concert artist and teacher, and has had a very . wide orchestral experience, having been leader of the most important theatres ° in Christchurch, and. also of the ee . nee eee e

Professional Orchestra, besides playing | with the Christchurch Orchestral .Society. Her ability as violinist of ‘the Christchurch Broadcasting Trio ‘is Ww ell known to all listeners. Miss Millar (Violin). EW to radio work, but a talented and experienced musician, Miss Millar is well known in Chris church and Dunedin, where~ sh has been leading violinist in the prin‘ cipal thentres. She studied under the well known tenor, Signor Squarise. of Dunedin. From that city she came to Christchurch, and ‘vas for four years in the orchestra at Everyhody’s Thea-

tre. She is well known to Mr. Beck, having been for some time: associated with him, Miss Irene. Morris, and Mr. Mercer in chamber music. Miss-Millar as, very versatile, beitig an accomplishrtist solo, obbligato, and orches- ' WOr Mr. Joseph A Mercer (Viola). AL SPLEN DID acquisition. to. the orchestra will be Mr.. Joseph: A.. Mercer (viola). He.is no stranger. to the studio of 3YA, having performed there before, the most recent occasion being in a. quintet organised by Mr. Beck. Mr. Mercer isthe proud possessor of a very fine instrument. He is a soloist’ of wide and varied experience, and has played in.numerous theatre and symphony. orchestras. He studied and played.in Germany, France and England. For some years he was 2 member .of Everybody’s Theatre Orchestra (Christchurch), and also, played in the Grand, Liberty, and Crystal Palace orchestras at times. Mr. Mercer is principal viola for the Christchurch Orchestral Society, and has made numerous appearances as a Viola soloist, but pressure of private business on his time prevents him from appearing more often in public. Miss Nellie: Eitwood (Cello). [t is not only as a sister of. Mr. George Fillwood, conductor of 2YA Orchestra, and ’eellist of the Symons-Hllwood-Short Trio, that Miss Nellie Mllwood is well known. She is a violoncellist. of much ability,-and is principal -’céllist of Mr. Harold Beck’s Chamber Orchestra. She is one of Mr. Beck’s foremost pupils, and; as a member-of the Christehurch Orchestral: Society, She is well _ known as.a soloist in the city. Mr. A. ‘P.. de la Cour (Bass). well Jsnown ‘in Christchurch is ‘ Mt. A. P. de la Cour. For-the last ten years he has been a member of the Orchestral Society, and he -has played with most musical organisations in Christechurch,. such as the Royal Musical Society, the Operatic Society, and unlimited charities. He has also played in the orchestras of all the leading theatres in Christchurch. He has also played for J. ©, Williamson, jitd., Tait’s, ete. Miss Aileen Warren, Aceoimpaniste. [NSEPARATELY associated with the names of Mr. Harold Beck and Miss Trene Morris. when the Studio Trio‘ is ; .tioned, is. Miss Aileen Warren. When first she joined the staff of 3YA as studio pianiste, listeners who did not know were advised that she was one of the best accompanists in New Yealand. It is unnecessary now to repeat the remark. Pleven months at the keys of the studio "Whrbar’ have proved .to every artist who has sung for 8YA and to every listener-in that Miss Warren is supremely gifted as a sympathetic accompanist. She loves and lives for her work. Miss Warren was five years old when she commenced her. musical education. "A particularly Apt pupil, she absorbed knowledge: so nidly that, when. 11 years of age, she ayed Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata" ‘ct’ a’ concert, and later passed every examination with honours that a student could. AS an accompaniste she has had a wide and. varied. experience. She toured with Miss Rosina Buckmann, and. accompanied’ Osipoft and other artists.

Mr. W. Hay (Flute). ALTHOUGH needing no introduction " to a SYA audience or any stage in Christchurch, Timaru, Invercargill, or Dunedin, where he has played for the various musical societies, it may be explained that Mr. W. Hay has been flautist-for.the Christchurch Orchestral Society for some years. -He has played for all the local organisations such a8 the Royal Musical Society, Operatic Society, unlimited charities, Savage Club, and in the. orchestras of all the principal theatres. ° Mr. S. E. Munday (Clarinet). EGULAR performers for 3¥A, Mr. a. f. Munday-and his clarinet are well known to’all listeners. He Was a pupil of Mr. KF. Woledge, Christchurch. Mr. Munday is a member of the Orchestral Society and Harmonic Society orchestras. He has played in various picture theatres in Christchurch. Mr. W. Marquet (Cornet) 7 A LENGTHY experience ag a solo eornet player is behind Mr. W.. Marquet, who has been chosen by Mr. Beck ‘to’ play that instrument in his orchestra. In 19138, Mr. Marquet was ga. member of the First Canterbury Regimental Band. War years followed, and'1917 found him in Wrance as a member of the Second Wellington Battalion Band. On returning to New Zealand he joined ‘the Christchurch Tramway Band, and in 1927, the Christchurch Municipal Band. .He is also at present a member of the Say- — age Club Orchestra. Mr. Frank Bishop (Trombone). SEVEN years as a member of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band, during which time he rose to be first trombone player, was Mr. Frank Bishop’s recommendation when he came to New Zealand from the Old Land and joined the Woolston Band. It may aiso be mentioned that as a. boy he sang soprano solos .for the South London Choral Union. After he left the military band, a position in the Royal Italian Opera Company was offered to him, but, having decided to settle in Seotiand, he joined one of the best. brass bands, which later became an orchestra. Since coming -to New zealand, Mr, Bishop has played for the Christchurch Orchestral Society and Savage Club, as well as for the Woolston. Band. | :