MUSICIANS OF TO-MORROW

Radio Record, 29 July 1938, Page 9

MUSICIANS OF TO-MORROW

How -England And Ametica Secure the Musical Future Yet An interview by the "Record’s" Christchurch Correspondent

ally school music-is rapidly coming to the fore, leading eventually to the formation of very fine adult choirs and orchestras. Any country, any nation, in fact, to be. musically great, must start with its children. Let them play any old instrument, sing any simple song-let them express themselves through music-and ‘thus they will find a tremendously greater joy in living. _ It has been proved scientificially that children who are taught yousie in the schools or the home are more efficient, generally, than those. who lack musical instruction. . These are. in brief. views of Great Britain, music-especi-

Mr. Victor C. ' Peters, well-known Ghristchurch musician, recently returned from a tour of England and the United States. He visited England in 1931 and has noted the rapid strides made in the intervening vears in orchestral and

choral work. His researches lead him to think that New Zealand is lagging behind. There are several fine musical instructors in the schools and colleges, but their efforts are restricted. He makes a strong plea: for greater interest in orchestral work-by pupils, teachers and, above all, the Government. Once that interest is aroused-and the . instructors are given greater scope- there is no reason why New Zealand’ should not take its place asa country of musical prominence, , ; INCH his return to the Dominion, Mr. Peters had "had hardly a spare moment to himself. He has been. busy taking up the musical threads where "he left off many months ago, and complying with requests to address this social gathering and ‘that. But he regards .these duties not as an arduous task, but as a means of spreading a musical gospel. i . "THE main trouble with New Zealanders, as Mr. Peters sees it, is that they are content to do the listening while other people do the performing. "I fully appreciate the fine work being done in the schools, but it is: limited," he says. "In Dngland every, town, of decent size has its

director of music for school purposes, while somé schools have even as many as three and four’ fulltime music masters." New Zealand. might well copy this pattern. . Members of big choirs in England are remarkable sight-readers. They have to be, or their conductors would be more than displeased. It is an undoubted fact that their proficiency comes from their training as school children. A rehearsal by.a big choir was a revelation to: Mr. Peters. One hour’s try-out of an eight-part work, entirely new, found the singers perfectly capable of performing the work unaccompanied! This is due, he claims, to a sound schoo}

foundation in musicianship. MERICA, too, is forging abead rapidly. ‘Working one’s way through college has always challenged the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the American. student.

Playing poker with invalids,, giving one’s blood for transfusion, and trick flying are a few of the novel methods that have been used. There are other meang far less spectacular and diverting, but "cashing in" on musical talent and ability to play an instrument is another path that is attracting more and more students, That it is pleasant, profitable, dignified, and leads to. worthwhile personal contacts are some of the reasons for this. . 4 THILE singing in w church choir, br playing the piane ‘ina gymnasium and dancing classes provides a2 considerable number with extra dollars, by far the most of .such students are found in the college bands and. orchestras. It is a striking fact that there are almost three times as‘many people in America earning a living through music ag there are in dentistry, playing behind the footlights, _or engaged in the ministry, law or architecture.. And this does not include the tens of thousands doing ‘part-time work, teaching, singing in choirs, or earning extra cash with violin or saxophone. There are also five times as many musicians as there ure journalists, although journalism has for some’ years been. a,-recognised vocational (Continued. on: page.51.)

N.Z. Behind the World

Music in Schools — ASSURING CULTURAL FUTURE

(Continued from Page 9.) subject.in the public schools. Music in the schools, up till very recently, has been largely confined to assembly singing. and regarded as a.cultural rather than a vocational part of the curriculum. Of iate years, however, school bands and orchestras have been greatly on the increase, and the economic yalue of giving an apt pupil the foundation of a musical education is being more clearly recognised each year. [Ts Wngland the school children are almost equally well catered for. They have every opportunity for developing their talents, "If someone in New Zealand want» to do something great for his country, Jet him assist orchestral work. which is musie in its highest* form," says Mr.- Peters. "Our salvation lies in the development of orchestral work umong the young people. It inculeates the. team spirit, and builds character. lurther, it places performers in direel coutact with the greatest music, for the best musie was written for the orchestra." HE National Broadcasting. Corporation of America supplies copies of music to thousands of homes. Big symphony orchestras broadcast the pieces. Father struggles with the double bass, while young hopeful does his best with the cornet or violin, The other members of the family join in with whatever instrument they fancy. Thus, they actually play with the fines: instrumentalists in the land. It might quite well be possible for the National Broadcasting Service of New Zealanc to institute something on the samy lines, Mr. Peters says. The idea is ¢xcellent, ° HE Christchureh man met many musical celebrities, and was invited to rehearsals and concerts by famous performers and combinations. He learned much from their methods, and proposes to give Christchurch the benefit of his: increased experience. On the lighter side of entertainment life, by the way, he had a cup to tea and a biscuit with Gracie Fields, and found her a truly charming’ woman. iIsie and Doris Waters he met too, and he also had a long chat with those brilliant comedians, the Western brothers. All musicians and other’ entertainers, both in England and Americé, were delighted to meet a man from far-away New Zealand, and to exchange views on the art of giving pleasure to others,