N.Z. League of Penwomen

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 10, 18 September 1931, Page 9

N.Z. League of Penwomen

Concert from |1YA

HE New Zealand League of Penwomen, which is: scheduled to provide a programme for 1YA on Wednesday, September 23, was

established seven year's ago with the object of promoting and = encouraging original creative work among

its members. The membership includes writers, artists, musicians and women engaged in intellectual professions.

Mrs. Victor Macky (Edna Graham Macky) president and founder of the League, is a wellknown writer, contributing to many publications, both in New Zealand and abroad. Mrs, Macky is the authoress of a de-

lightful book of poems entitled "Adventure." Readings from her works have been given in many of the literary circles of London, America and Australia. Mrs. Macky has also been actively engaged in organising and publicity work for various societies and. movements in Auckland. The membership of the League includes the novelist, Mrs. Mary Stuart Boyd, first president of the League; Mrs. Carr Rollett (Hilda Keane), writer and journalist; Miss Jean Boswell, short story writer; Mrs. Gordon Robertson, writer, musician and lecturer; Mrs. Carr Tibbitts, writer and journalist; Miss Hutton Whitelaw, and many_,others of marked literary ability. The various activities include the literature study section, convened by Mrs. John Barr (wife of the city librarian), a book reviewer and lecturer on literary topics, and the dramatic section, convened by Mrs. Culford Beli, elocutionist and teacher of dramatic art, who is much in request as judge of elocution at competitions. The journalist section is convened by Mrs. Victor Macky, assisted by a board of editors of some of the leading publications of the city. The art section is under the convenorship of Miss Edith Melville, who is well known for her beautifully executed metal craft work. There are two divisions in this section, viz.: artists and the exponents of various crafts. The music section, convened by Miss Gertrude Bertram, Mus.Bac. (the

League’s representative on the 1YA Musical and Dramatic Advisory Committee) includes in its membership many brilliant professional musicians, some of whom will broadcast on this programme, Mrs.

Robt. Neil (Mary Brett) is a composer whose music may be described as a lyric gift, a genuine spontaneous outcome of delicacy of feeling

and personal vitality. Her songs have been included in the Suffolk (England) competitions and many of her compositions are already familiar over the air. Mrs. Herbert Bloy, a pianist of outstanding ability, is well known throughout New Zealand as a solo pianist and teacher. Mrs. Greenfield

(tsobel Langlands) the brilliant Melbourne violinist, is noted for her definite individuality and interpretation, characterised by a wonderful technique and tone. Isobel Langlands has toured with Stella Power, Althouse, Middleton, Sverjensky and other celebrated artists, and has reached the pinnacle of fame in the musical world of Australia and New Zealand. Miss Amy Hansard, L.R.A.M., vocalist, has attained a definite position in music. Her singing is most artistic and she is the composer of some delightful songs. Miss Renee Satchwell, L.R.A.M., is well known as a teacher, lecturer, pianist and composer of songs and pianoforte music. Miss Amy Stevenson is too well known to need an introduction to musiclovers, being a prominent member of two orchestral and chamber music societies in Auckland, and a_ skilled performer on the piano, violin and viola. Miss Ida Walker, the possessor of a rich contralto voice, studied under her relative, the late Dame Nellie Melba, and is deservedly popular with both Australian and New Zealand audiences. Miss Molly Atkinson is already well known to 1YA and Auckland audiences. Her singing is distinguished for its thoughtful expression and gifted artistry. The programme to be presented contains a large percentage of original compositions, and presented by such gifted performers as the League contains, a very enjoyable evening should be spent.