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The Leys Institute Orchestra

lraining Ground for Auckland Musicians |

HE} Leys Institute Orchestra, whovze concert will be relayed by 1YA on June 25, is one of the most interesting musical bodies in the Dominion. The orchestra was founded about four years ago as a result of a bequest left for the purpose of furthering music among young folk, and even in those few years its work has appreciably benefited the cause of music as a whole in Auckland. The fact that it gives young and inexperienced players a chance to play in an orchestra under a good conductor instead of having to confine their efforts to solo.work means that the orchestra is a valuable training ground for other Auckland orchestras. Already players have been drafted into the Bohemian, Aeolian, Orphans Club, and other local orchestras. The orchestra is conducted under the jurisdiction of the Leys Institute with a committee of musicians advising. Mr. Harold Baxter, well-known in other musical connections in Auckland, is the conductor. The young players are fortunate in having the chance of working

under such. an able and accomplished leader. A feature of this interesting combination is what might be termed its "family" atmosphere, for among its playeré are several groups of relatives. There 1% the mother of a family playing a violin, the father on the double bass, and their two sons also with violings. Another family is represented by a grandfather, aged sixty, -and his little grandson, aged six, the latter being the youngest member of a young orchestra. , The orchestra plays a light type of music in order to give the players a chance to develop light and shade, and the playing of even the youngest members attains a high standard. "These boys and girls are tremendously enthusiastic," says Mr. Baxter, the conductor. "In fact they are the keenest players I have handled." The strength of the orchestra is 80, and when a concert is given there are forty violins, giving a wealth of string tone only seldom heard among Dominion orchestras.

E recommendation of the 1YA Musical and Dramatic Advisory, Committee that the present octet should have. its personnel increased to bring it up to light orchestral standard will undoubtedly be well supported by listeners. The octet has done excellent work, and deserves the highest praise, but it is only an octet and its scope is thereby limited. By adding some brass instruments its field would be considerably widened, and the risk f£.monotony in the team’s playing done away with. a @ B NEW departure was made when "The White Owl’ was’ presented from 1YA.on June 12. The cast was announced at the conclusion of the play instead of at the beginning. If the names of the players are mentioned before the play, listeners think of the performers instead of the characters they represent, particularly if they know them. personally. They thus fail to appreciate the play as a whole or to pay sufficient attention to the other players. This has been found the case in some talking pictures where all the attention has been focused upon the star to the detriment of the apprecia‘y tion of thé picture as a whole. The \ idea of not announcing actors’ names until the end has been tried in the United States. i: * * WINTER game which has become popular with Aucklanders during the last year or two is Badminton, which, by the way, is a much more strenuous. and skilful game than is supposed by those who have never played it.: The many Auckland enthusiasts of the game are certain to appreciate the series of Badminton talks ebeing given from 1YA during the Friday evening sports sessions. » bd * "THE news that satisfactory arrangements have now been made with the Auckland Rugby Union and the New Zealand Wrestling Association to have all this season’s matches under their control broadcast, is most welcome to 1YA listeners who have been kept in some doubt as to whether this ' greatly appreciated service would be continued.

HE international programmes from LYA are being relayed by station 1ZH, Hamilton, reception reports of which are most satisfactory. This service means that Waikato listeners are fairly certain to hear the programmes which otherwise they might miss. Direct reception of 1YA in that district is not always as good as could be wished, through no fault of the station. . = bo] ON July 10, Miss Edna Thomas, a new artiste, will be heard in a whistling sketch, and also in an item entitled "Reducing," by A. P. Herbert. The same evening Phillipof, the balalaika player, will play on his uncommon instrument two of his own compositions. A series of talks on "The Instruments of the Orchestra," and another on "Radio Technique," are being arranged for presentation from 1YA.

The official opening of the Auckland Winter Exhibition will be relayed by 1YA at 2.30 p.m. on July 8. Two well-known Aucklandets, Miss Ysolinde McVeagh and Mr. "Jack" Gordon, have been engaged to tour New Zealand with the Hthel Morrison Co. as understudies for several of: the ‘principal parts. Miss MeVeagh has made several appearances at 1YA, and her last appearance there was in March as "Joan of Are." Her interpretation of "Joan" won high praise in all quarters. Miss McVeagh is the daughter of a well-known Auckland solicitor, Mr. R. MeVeagh, and has recently returned from an extended tour of Bur: ope. Mr. "Jack" Gordon has appeared with the Comedy Players frequently during the past three years or so, and has taken part in something like twen ty of their plays and sketches. He has had: considerable experience in other local productions, often taking

‘leading parts in Mrs. Zoe Bartley Baxter’s radio plays. A third artist from 1YA, Miss Nina Scott, is touring the with the "Lucky O’Flynn" Co., at present, play: ing at Dunedin. test " * * as Pat ae AX Auckland electrician fourid his wristlet watch behaving "in: 2 strange monner-one day it gained and the next it lost. He took it .to the watchmaker, who diagnosed the trouble as being caused by dust or .the need of. oil, but after three unfruitful attempts at rectifying the trouble. he became doubtful as to the cause. Hventually it was discovered that the owner was frequently engaged in setting powerful electric dynamos, and certain parts of the watch were magnetised by this means.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.I whakaputaina aunoatia ēnei kuputuhi tuhinga, e kitea ai pea ētahi hapa i roto. Tirohia te whārangi katoa kia kitea te āhuatanga taketake o te tuhinga.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/RADREC19310619.2.18.1

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 49, 19 June 1931, Page 7

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,053

The Leys Institute Orchestra Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 49, 19 June 1931, Page 7

The Leys Institute Orchestra Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 49, 19 June 1931, Page 7

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