MUSIC IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19332, 9 June 1928, Page 20

MUSIC IN CHRISTCHURCH.

MR VERNON GRIFFITHS' SURVEY i (HIOIC OUB OWN COBaXSPOHDMIT.) LONDON,' May 5. In a Colony such as New Zealand, situated so many miles from Home (writes Mr T. Vernon Griffiths in the "Musical Standard"), it is perhaps not surprising that the efforts of the renaissance in British music should hardly yet have beeri felt. With a population of under two millions, and of that num.ber a large majority scattered in the farming districts, it is perhaps inevitable that corporate musical activities are carried on under difficulties.

There are, however, a surprising number of musical organisations in the Colony; in Christchurch alone there are at least six. It is open to discussion whether all these subdivisions are really in the interests of the musical life of the community.

The chief musical fare .provided is oratorio and concert performances of certain well-known operas. An effort has been made to vary this with the introduction of works of a different type- but the time is not yet ripe for !, ei \ a ?? reciation - Tho Eov al Christchurch Musical Society, under the conductorship of Mr T. Vernon Griffiths, M.A., Mus. 8., Cantab., essayed a change of policy for their last two concerts in 1927., The programmes included Jacobson's "Choral Fantasia on Airs from 'The Beggar's Opera,' " Balfour Gardiner's "News from Whydah " Stanford's "Revenge," Hoist's "King istmere," some madrigals, and various vocal and instrumental music by Charles Wood, Percy Grainger, Vaughan Williams, Moszkowski, Saint-Saens, Armstrong. Gibbs, Gerrard Williams Whittaker, C. 8.. Rootham, and others, it is understood that these concerts were not, however, so much appreciated as the Society's former concerts, at which works such as Handel's "Messiah}" Mendelssohn's "Elijah," and Gounod's "Fanst" were frequently produced. The i Society's conductor for l 9 ! 8 " Mr ' W - H. Dixon, L.R.A.M., A.JK.C.M. The. committee have chosen for the first concert in

The Christehureh Orchestral Society, under Mr Angus Gunther, is doing excellent work. Dr. Bradshaw at the Cathedral has a very fine choir.' Boys' choirs are the exception rather than the rule in the Colony. At the various University Colleges lectures in music are given by Dr. Bradshaw (Christehureh), Dr. Thomas (Auckland), and Dr. Galway (Otago). The Education Department has recently initiated a scheme for the teaching of music in schools. In this connexion, Mr Douglas Tayler has been a'ppmted Adviser to the Government, and twp lecturers from Home have been appointed: at Auckland and Christehureh respectively. There is a large number of teachers of music in the Colony. For the guidance of those who are disposed to consider the question of emigration from Home it may be said definitely that they would be well advised to make careful enquiry as to their ultimate prospects out here before accepting any appointment.

In conclusion, it may be said that there is a real love for music in the Colony. Much more could be done by united effort. It is hoped that the work now being done amongst the training college students and in the schools will ultimately have far-reach-ing results in influencing the trend of musical taste all over the Dominion.