New Octet from 3YA

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 5, 14 August 1931, Page 5

New Octet from 3YA

Brilliant Combination of Artists

A NEW orchestral octet, to be known as the Salon Orchestra, will make its first radio appearance at 3YA on Saturday, August 8 The octet, an excellent combination which listeners will appreciate, has been formed by Francis Bate, a well-known Christehureh musician. The octet, in addition to playing selections, will accompany the vocalists. Francis Bate has the distinction of being a pupil of Johan Hock and a

member of the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He was solo ‘cellist of the Lozell’s Hall Full Orchestra at the age of fourteen. After a short tour of Canada he came to New Zealand in 1920 and settled in Christchurch, where he occupied a leading position both as a teacher and as a performer. In 1927 he left for Auckland, but stayed there only fifteen months, when he returned to England to gain knowledge of the latest methods. : While at Home he toured with the Paul Belinfante Quintet and played the summer season at the Theatre Royal, Ryde. He returned to Christchurch early in 1930 and is now busily engaged teaching. He is also musical director for Messrs. J. Ballantyne and Company, Limited. GUADYS VINCENT (Mrs. Francis Bate) is well known throughout New Zealand. With her violin she toured as a prodigy with the Cesaroni

Company some years ago. Until she went to Wngland with her husband in 1927 she was leader of the Crystal Palace Symphony Orchestra, under the conductorship of Alfred Bunz. In England she furthered her studies and played at the Theatre Royal, Ryde, with him. She is now violiniste for Ballantyne’s popular trio. Norma Middleton is well known in Christchurch as an excellent violiniste. By coincidence she was in Wngland to further her studies at the same time as

Mr. and Mrs. Bate. She returned to New Zealand in 1929 and was leader of Hverybody’s Select Orchestra until the advent of the "talkies." A. H. Hutton, recognised as one of the leading flautists in New Zealand, has had years of experience in professiona: circles. F. Woledge is a clarionetist of high standing. He was a member of the Crystal Palace Orchestra for several years and latterly at Hverybody’s Theatre. Jas. Alston, the bass player, is also an artist of the first class. He was 2 valued member of Hverybody’s Select Orchestra from its inception till it disbanded. Rena Algie, ’celliste of the octet, is a gifted pupil of Mr. Bate and had much experience with various Christchurch orchestras. The pianiste of the octet will be Aileen Warren, whose reputation as an accompaniste extends far beyond Christchurch. She is one of the finest pianistes in New Zealand.

A Humorous Mozartian Concert presented by Signor Lucien Cesaroni and his Operatic Company will be broadcast from 2YA on Monday, August 17