Of Value to Music

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 24, 28 December 1928, Page 31

Of Value to Music

A WELLINGTON listener, "Music- ~" us,’ writes under a recent date "The very successful relay to Wellington, and broadcast by 2YA, of a concert given in Wanganui, gives rise to a few observations. I will not comment on the quality of the musical talent; that would be an attempt to guild the lily, for the quality of the artists who broadcast, individually and collectively, was truly exceptional, and bore out to the full the advance announcements. The concert, however, leads a train of thoughts concerning broadcasting, I would not, perhaps, refer to them were it not for the admirable little speech made by Mr. Louis Cohen, president of the North Island Brass Bands’ Association. Mr. Cohen is a devotee of, the arts, and especially of music-and he thanked radio broadcasting for what it had done to bring the best of music right into the homes of the people. It was a noble sentiment, ably expressed. Mr. Cohen referred eloquently to the far-reaching radius of the broadcasting stations-to the fact that his remarks might be heard all over New Zealand, in Australia, Japan, the Pacific Islands, America, perhaps, for all he knew, in Mars-and he gloried that there was such’ a means for spreading the love of good music. The sentiments expressed by Mr. Cohen might well be taken to heart by all musical organisations whose aim is to encourage the appreciation of music. In the past, some musical societies have been very loth to permit their concerts to be broadcast. The Wanganni hand’s example. and the senti-

Dated SSE ee eEti(i‘ ments expressed by Mr. Cohen, should do much to break down the barrierthat word "barrier" would seem to be common to some musical societies, as well as to racing clubs-which makes a musical organisation very self-cen-tred, with no vision beyond the present memberhip roll, such kill the sporting. instinct which should allow less for-tunately-placed people to enjoy .at 4 distance what they cannot be present at."