DUNEDIN'S JUNIOR ORCHESTRA

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 4, 4 August 1933, Page 46

DUNEDIN'S JUNIOR ORCHESTRA

A Most Important Musical Development At the beginning of this year a movement was started to form a junior orchestra in Dunedin, and the support received has exceeded the most sanguine hopes of the conductor and prime mover, Mr. ©. Roy Spackman, Mr. Spackman has been, since his arrival in Dunedin some five years ago to take up the post of organist and choirmaster of Knox Church, music master at the Otago Girls’ High School, where he conducts a large string orchestra. In addition to this he has a string orchestra at St. Hilda’s Collegiate School for girls, where he is also singing master. Realising that many girls.were leaving school and wished to continue their orchestral work under his baton, Mr. Spackman conceived the idea of a junior orchestra to include ex-pupils of secondary schools, and also boys and girls who were still at school. After a preliminary meeting of 1 committee of business men who are interested in the cause of music, and armed with a promise of a practice room free of charge. Mr. Spackman went ahead with the idea. A meeting of those interested was called, and over eighty people attended. including nearly seventy young people who were desirous of joining the orchestra. These were all put through a test. and it was amazing. to find the talent available. At first the brass section was inadequate, but since practices started in March, this has been built up until it has become a very vital: part of the orchestra. The wood wind section is particularly strong, while the violin section is a pleasure to listen to. It is generally ‘recognised that Mr. Spackman is doing a most valuable work in training these young instrumentalists to become experienced orchestral. players. He has unlimited patience and an experience with junior orchestras that is perhaps unique, and his work will tell on. the orehestral playing of Dunedin for many years to come. The first part of the first concert of the orchestra was broadeast from 4YA on July 18. when the vocalist was Miss Jean McLay (mezzo-soprano) and Mr. I). Ottrey (bass).