SINGING IN AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 38, 14 February 1931, Page 8

SINGING IN AUCKLAND.

AN OVER-SEVERE CRITICISM.

(To the Editor.)

Recently Dr. Phillips dealt a very. sever 9 blow to the budding vocalists of Auckland Many of them were of the opinion thlt the' : had even proceeded from the budding 6ta* e to the fruiting stage. But now the blight of the doctor's dictum Las caused dismay in the vocal orchard. Only six healthy specimens have come to fruition! The doctor is reported to have said that Auckland possessed only s ; s singers capable of giving correct examples of the vocal art, viz., one soprano, one tenor' tw contraltos and two baritones. It reads lit* a recipe for a vocal salad. Beat them well 110° add 0110 egg, etc. If the doctor had mentioned their names, then those who are inter-" cstcd in the matter could have taken the means to protect and nurture them, for it i 5 a deplorable thing that a city of the size of Auckland should be 50 restricted. A <Teat number of students have been spending °tim c •and money on the elusive art of "voiec production," "voice culture," "voice placing" ami other voice things for quite a time. Ar° thev all poor, deluded mortals? And are all the > teachers incompetent? Just at this time it would have been quite nice to have had '&• : little encouragement. It might have helped to arrest the progress of "tinned" music, jazz saxophone and all musical unrighteousneffi' No doubt the doctor dropped the bomb somewhat thoughtlessly. Fanned by the' wind of musical jealousy, etc., the flames are spreading. It is now up to the bomb dropper t 0 supply suggestions, bandages, and, where necessary, funeral cards. BRUISED.-S!