COUNTRY DANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1937, Page 12

COUNTRY DANCES.

As a musician of some years' experience in dance band playing in country districts, I take this "opportunity to refute some of the statements contained in "Knock Knock's" letter re musicians' fees. The dance band to which I belon" has played at over 60 dances since the new prices were introduced on September 1, and in not one case has the dance shown a loss; on the contrary, the majority show a substantial profit. There are as a rule four players in our combination, and in very few instances have we been asked to provide three, and in the majority of those cases we have been booked for four instruments for future engagements. Taking "Knock Knock's" own figures, it is apparent that he is allowing payment for all those officials connected with the dance, thereby eliminating a free list, so that 200 of an attendance would produce at 2/ and 1/6 a total of £17 10/, and not £15, as stated, so that his figures should show a profit of 2/ instead of a loss of £2 8/ Furthermore, "Knock Knock" cannot have had much experience in country dance work, or he would know that in practically every case the offices of doorkeeper, ticket seller, master of ceremonies ,supper room assistants, etc., are entirely voluntary. Then, again, the cost of running a. dance is much below the figures set out in "Knock letter. For a Saturday evening, which is by far the most popular for country dances, the musicians' fee ~for four players is £4 7/6, with no travelling expenses in their own district, supper £2 10/, hall rent £1 2/6, .advertising 10/ —a total of £8 10/—which is half of what "Knock Knock" estimates, and I have been liberal, as, from actual knowledge of several particular cases, the costs have not exceeded £7 10/. The only extra to be added to the above, to make it a long night, that is, to 1 a.m., is 30/ for the musicians and 2/6 for hall rent. With regard to voluntary workers, it must be understood that nearly all country, danc?s are run by some sporting body or social institution of one kind or another, and that everyone connected with the organising body is as a rule only too pleased to lend whatever assistance possible to make the evening the success it usually is. The main essential for the success of any dance.is good music, and cheap music is usually poor music KNOCK AGAIN.