MECHANISED MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 130, 4 June 1935, Page 9

MECHANISED MUSIC.

EFFECT ON YOUNG STUDENTS. TECHNIQUE A BAD MASTER. The fear that the mechanisation of music which glorifies technical dexterity was having an adverse influence on '•oung students was expressed yesterday ky Mr. Will Hutchens, Mus. Bac, Wanganui, who ia judge at the Christchurch competitions (states the "Star"). Jdr. Hutchens said that the embryonic pupil was likely to overlook the emotional and intellectual aspects of the art. "Technique is a good servant, but a bad master," the speaker continued. "I noticed that in some of the vocai classes &t the competitions them was a considerable tendency towards a sharpening of the pitch. This could not be ascribed entirely to nervousness-, but to faulty breathing. Breatb must be regarded as the motive of ihe voice and as the essential to mrtbct production and control. A singer is possessed of a particular range of voice, and must reci gn'fe that r-jnge. In that connection I was gratified at the correct classification of the voices. There were no mezzos in the soprano fection, and the men, too, sang in their allotted chases." Mr. Hutohens added that the choice of selections in the vocal and instrumental sections was excellent. Good artistic songs and worthy pianoforte solos were a feature of nearly every class. "After listening to over 1000 competitors, I am satisfied" that Chriat-'hurch is liberally endowed with musical talent," said Mr. Hutchens.