N.Z.'s First Radio Choir

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 6, 18 August 1933, Page 13

N.Z.'s First Radio Choir

Station’s Venture Wellington NEW ZEALAND’S first radio choir, assembled in connection with the Wellington B station, 2ZW, is now well and truly formed, and practices are going forward with a will.

In the course of his inaugural speech, Mr. R. H. Nimmo, managing director of 2ZW, said: "In welcoming you here to-night, I want to extend to you ali our very best wishes for the success of the choir, of which you are the chosen few. As you can imagine, your choirmaster, Mr. Thomas Wood, has had a difficult and unenviable task in making the selection. To choose a choir from over four hundred applicants, all of whom I am told have great possibilities, is no mean feat, and with such good material at his disposal, you-the cream-can feel justly proud of your inclusion. Incidentally, I am confident that many musical treats are in store for the public, as a result of Mr. Wood’s wise and careful selection. "Apart from following the excellent example of the B.B.C., which has donated to 2ZW the Challen grand, which

is to be used solely for choral broadcast purposes, the object in forming the choir is to satisfy and grant the public a long-felt desire. "The station has come to know from its listeners that the radio world is wearying a little of mechanism in music, and there is a widespread demand for good local talent, which adds that all-desirable personal touch to broadcast concerts. It is with this view paramount in our minds that we hope to uphold the name of 2ZW. "May I congratulate you on your very good fortune, in being under the baton of Mr. Thomas Wood-a man of wide musical experience, high. qualifications, and remarkable ability. Under his leadership I entertain no qualm for the success of the choir, which will be the first: broadcasting choir of the Dominion. So you can rightly regard yourselves as pioneers in this venture."