String Octet Arranged for 3YA

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 12, 4 October 1929, Unnumbered Page

String Octet Arranged for 3YA

To Play under the Baton of Mr. Harold Beck

s announced last week, an octet comprising some of the leading of Christchurch, has been formed by Mr. Harold Beck, and has been engaged to perform regularly at 3YA. The octet will make its first appearance next Wednesday, October 9. Personnel of Orchestra. The personnel of this new string octet will be:First violins: Miss -I. Morris and Miss F. Millar. Second violins: Mrs. Bills and Mr. H. Glaysher. Viola: Mr. J. Mercer. ’Cello: Mr. R. Bond. Bass and euphonium: Mr. W. J. Barsby. Harp: Mr. H. Glaysher. Solo ’cellist and conductor: Mr. Harold Beck.

The Conductor. Mr. Harold Beck, who formed and will conduct the octet, is an artist of whom his homeland should be proud. His reci.als and per formances as a ’cellist, whilc associated on: tours with some of the world’s best artists, have achieved for | him a distinct national fame. — He showed wonderful ability as a child. While touring with his brother 2 child prodigies they won th: most popular triumpr wherever they went, an later both proceeded to Eu . ope. He made appearance’ in England while still youth, critics predicting brilliant future for him. He he became a member of © Nicholas’s Church Choir, re ceiving choral training unde "Hayden Hare, Mus. Bac, Returning to New Zealand, he appeared for important musical societies, and proceeded on a successful tour in the North Island in 1919.

On the occasion 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 symphonic, 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, Lawrence 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 Sydney Choral Society. Besides appearing as soloist in Australia and New Zealand with the Verbrugghen Orchestra, he has toured with Harry Derth, Stella Power, William G. James, Kate Campion, and Stella Murray. Since settling in Christchurch, where he is well-known as a teacher, he has formed the Harold Beck .- String

Quartet and a chamber orchestra of his own. He has © also conducted performances at all the principal theatres, end is at present conductor of the Christchurch Savage Club Orchestra. Miss Irene Morris, First Violin. Miss Irene Morris, first violinist, is a distinguished New Zealand violinist who has won great praise from the highest musical critics. She commenced her musical studies at the early age of three, learning the pianoforte from her mother. A little later she began her violin study under the excellent. euidance of Herr Max Hoppe, 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 (Continued on page 2.)

New Octet for 3YA {Concluded .from front page.)

had a very wide orchestral experiénce, having been leader for a number of years at the Grand, Crystal Palace and Everybody’s Theatres in Christchurch, and also of the professional orchestra, besides playing with the Christchurch Orchestral Society. Miss Florence Millar, First Violin. Miss MILLAR is well known in Christchurch and Dunedin as a talented and experienced musician. She has been leading violinist in the principal theatres. She studied under the well-known tenor, Signor Squarise, of Dunedin. From that city she came to Christchurch, and was for four years im the orchestra at Hverybody’s Theatve. 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 is very. versatile, being an accomplishedi artist in solo, obbligato, and orchestral work.

Mr. Joseph A. Mercer (Viola). A SPLENDID acquisition to the octet will be Mr. Joseph .A. Mercer (viola). Mr. Mercer is the 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 a member of Everybody’s Theatre Orchestra (Christehureh), 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 oLten in public. Mr. Russell Bond, ’Cellist. AFTER a musical training as a pianist, Mr. Bond subsequently studied the violincello under Mr. Harold Beck. He has occupied positions as ’cellist at Everybody’s Theatre, Christchurch, and at the Octagon Theatre, Dunedin. Mr. J. W. Barsby, Euphonium. ME. BARSBY had an early musical training in bands under the wellknown conductors, Mr. Seddall, V.D., and the late Mr. BH. Derry. He thus

acquired a complete mastery of brass instruments, including the euphonium and trombone.. He played the string bass for nine years under Mr. A. J. Bunz at the Crystal Palace Theatre until the orchestra was disbanded: on the advent of the tallies, During the war period Mr. Barsby* was for two years in the Featherston Camp band and corcert party. He has been a member of the Christchurch Orchestral Society. Mrs. A. H. Bills, Second Vicks, © A PLAYER with much orchestral experience, Mrs. Bills studied under Mr. R, ©. Zimmerman and has played for all the leading theatres in Christchurch, having filled the position of leader at the Queen’s, Grand, Liberty and Crystal Palace. Before fulfilling professional engagements she played for the Orchestral Society and Musical Union under Mr. A. Bury and Dr. J. ©. Bradshaw respectively.

Mr. H. G. Glaysher, Harp. NIR. GLAYSHER came to New Zealand with the laurels of a sergeant of the Royal Artillery Band upon him and with a long experience as a bandsman behind him, At the age of 15 years he was appointed harpist to t R.A. Band, and during his long se vice of 27 years he has pisyed at many important functions in England. One of these was the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee service at St. Paul’s steps in the morning and at the Buckingham Palace banquet at night. Other occasions were Royal Academy banquets. He played at the Guildhall when the late Mr. Massey received the Freedom of the City of London. During the war winters Mr. Glaysher toured France and Belgium, playing for the troops, and also later for the Army of Oceupation, concluding with a State Concert at Brussels for the King and Queen of Belgium and the signing of the Peace of Versailles. Mr, Glaysher’s family has an honourable soldiering record. The total service of father and four sons amounted to about 150 years. Mr. Glaysher’s father was late bandmaster of the R.A. Band at Sheerness, Kent, and orgayjst of St. George’s Garrison Church t Woolwich (where he met the great composer Gounod), afterwards at Dock- _ yard Church, Sheerness.