Christchurch Singer To Go To Australia

Radio Record, 8 April 1938, Page 52

Christchurch Singer To Go To Australia

T is the ambition of every New Zealand singer worth his or her salt to go overseas. Mr. Thomas E. West, of Christchurch, very frequently heard over 3YA, has decided to go to Australia in Apri} Mr. West has engagements with the] ABC and will sing in various centres, particularly Sydney and Melbourne, Moreover, he has been asked to help in the formation of a chorus for the Sydney commercial station, 25M. Opera, light classical numbers, ballads and popular songs have beén in his YA programmes since 1933, and about two years ago he formed the "Mayfair Ensemble," which presented musical comedy works from 38YA. Concert platform work has claimed him quite a lot, for he has been connected with numerous musical societies. Recently he sang with the Connors and Paul Company in Christchurch. Although he has lived in Christchurch all his life he received his first training from Mr. Alfred Walmsley, of Dunedin, and later took a vocal look at opera under Miss Lilian McDonald, of Timaru, For oratorio work he took a schooling from Mr. Victor C.. Peters, well-known Christchurch musician. There’s everything in favour of Mr. West "making the musical distance," for in 1985 he won the Wellington Competitions Society’s vocal s¢éholarship and the 2YA radio contest held together with the competitions.