The Aeolian Orchestra

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 5, 14 August 1931, Page 2

The Aeolian Orchestra

Popular Auckland Amateurs

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"THE origin of the Aeolian Orchestra, now so popular with Auckland music-lovers, dates back to 1922 when Mr, W. Webb, an enthusiastic amateur musician with considerable English experience in vocal, piano, ’cello and organ work, formed in Auckland a small body of musicians who called themselves the "Auckland Amateur Musical.Club." The club was divided into two parts-a vocal and an instrumental section, the latter really a small orchestra of less than a dozen instruments. The club rehearsed in Mrs. Webb’s studio in Symonds Street. and for a time gave concerts in a small hall, the audiences comprising for the main part friends of the performers; then, as the membership inGreased, concerts were given in the Grafton Hall. By 1924 the vocal section had practically disappeared, and ‘the instrumentalists had increased to nearly thirty under the enthusiastic conductorship of Mr. Webb. The membership continued to grow,

and in 1925 various changes were made in the organisation of the club. The hame was changed to the Aeolian Or-: chestra ; a subscribers’ list was opened; and the practice of giving four concerts a year in the Town Hall Concert Chamber was inaugurated. At the beginning of 1928 it was decided to give the concerts in the Lewis HRady Hall, this being most suitable for various reasons. At the end of that year the orchestra lost the valuable services of Mr. Webb, who. left New Zealand to reside in Vancouver. The year 1929 saw more changes. The orchestra was fortunate in securing as conductor Mr, H. Hollingrake, the well-known Auckland musician. After a year with the orchestra Mr. Hollingrake was compelled to resign -his. position owing to. pressure of other musical engagements in connection with his position as musical lecturer to the Training College, W.H.A., and other bodies. Mr. G. T. Lee, who had formerly been deputy-conductor, was unani-

"‘mously elected in his stead. At the present time the other office-holders’ are Mr. F. M, Price, president, deputy’ conductor and leader; Miss F. Lee, secretary; and Mr. J. McGregor, librarian. , The orchestra has some forty-five instrumentalists, all departments being represented, and a quite extensive library of music has been acquired. The players, including the conductor, are, without exception, amateurs, No one receives payment for his services, and remarkable enthusiasm and good-fel-lowship are displayed by the players. ° Only three members of the original club are still in the orchestra, these — being Mr. M, Aldis, for many years president; Mr. J. McGregor, and Miss McGregor. rn The orchestra recently agreed to have its concerts broadcast on August 6, the orchestra’s second concert for the 1931 season. ‘Their attitude toward broadcasting is favourable\ and it has not in any way affected af ances at their concerts. The -committee. endeavours to arrange varied and popular programmes of a light classical type. Its policy is to aim as high as the musical ability ot the orchestra as an.orchestra will permit, and not to gd beyond this. — No "rubbish" is played, but, on the other hand, the more difficult classical humbers are not attempted. A typical programme would consist of'a march, @ grand march, a ‘standard overture,’ a selection, a suife, a concert waltz, and quite often a-symphony or classical number. Various vocalists assist at the concerts. The Aeolian Orchestra :is becoming increasingly popular with the public, as the growing audiences testify. In encouraging amateur talent in a city proverbially indifferent to good mus¥jm it deserves every help and encouragdment. At present, due to absence 6f salary payments and the cutting of ‘expenditure to a minimum, the orchestra is financially sound. . nd-