THE MUSIC CONSERVATORIUM.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13094, 20 April 1908, Page 8

THE MUSIC CONSERVATORIUM.

TO THE EDITOR OF ''THE PRESS."

Sir, —In answer to "A Conservatoiium Student," the professionals who did not sign the petition against a coi sorvatoriuni are, I think, likely to agree with this correspondent that thero are certain advantages in privuto lessons. This being conceded, why need the well-qualified in the profession he so afraid of tho scheme? If wisely established, -will it not, within a reasonable lime, be the best thing possible for the better-class teachers, by creating a more intelligent interest in sound musical education? And, if this be tho view of some of them, why should this minority bo accused of '•abusing' the majority, merely because it holds this view? I may say in this connection that tho president of the "Musicians' Society's" -rather unpleasant insinuation, that they cannot be actuated by disinterested motives is both right and wrong; wrong in his sense, right in theirs. "A Conservatoriuui Student" does not think that there aro niore than a dozen students in the Dominion likely to be found able and willing to givo their wliolo time to a three years' professional course. This shows up the whole soro. It is a sad admission. Ir the founding in New' Zealand of a, music-training college— a throe years' professional course, as in institutions elsewhere being required —leads to tlie weeding out from the teaching ranKs of those who cram up for a certificate (piano only, generally) and then start to teach, at shockingly low fees, it is reasonable to suppose that the welleducated teachers are likely to be much benefited, as well as the general public. The teaching minority in favour of the scheme is quite aware thot the advantage of German conservatorium training lies greatly in the possibility of profitable orchestral study and practice, but "Rome was not built in a day." I for one have faith that young New Zealand would respond just as well to musical as to other educational advantages that have been granted it. In any case, a music-training college established here could in no way proven, students visiting the old centres, for the great advantage of hearing fine music, if they were able to do so. Tho financial objections of "A Conservatorium Student" I am not competent to deal with, .but I should imagine that people financially much wiser than musicians usually are would consider all that, without our worrying them or ourselves about it. —Yours, etc.,

KATHERINE J- FOSTER.

TO THE EDITOR OF ' ( THK *PRESS."

Sir, —May I put before the public a few figures in connection with the proposed Conservatorium of Music. Suppose 200 students were to -enter, that being a very large proportion of our population, they would require at the very least sixteen teachers; say three for piano, two singing, one organ, three strings, two wind instruments, three for theory, harmony, counterpoint, one conductor of tho orchestra and choral class, one lecturer in History of Music, etc., this being a very low estimate of the number of teachers required. Th© fees in the leading London Schools of Music aro from —30 to £40 a year, and they include tuition in all branches of theory, harmony, etc. In the Dominion they would probably be about twelvo guineas a year, to include everything. Tho fees from 200 students at that rate would amount to £2520; divide that between . sixteen professors, and you will find that each will earn the lordly inponie of £158, roughly speaking. On© can magino Rubenstein and Joachim, were they still alive, hastening to secure tho positions. In addition to the salaries there would be th© iritial expenses of pianos, an organ, 'etc., and the salary of a director nnd 6taff, not to mention the incidental expenses of lighting, heating and furnishing.—Yours, etc., n, MARY SMART.

April llth, 1908

TO THK EDITOR OF "THE FRES.* "

Sir, —It is futile for mo to further discuss the matter in your eclmnns, as no doubt this quibbling about un--jm-portont details cannot be cf the interest- to the public. Our main argument all -along has been that the expenditure connected with the Lectureship in "Music at Canterbury College is not justified, in faco of the fact (adiniitted Bjadsbaw, and amply borne out by his own figures as supplied in Wednesday's "Press") that the' receipts fall far short.of the saim spent on this Lectureship. Whether the attendance h-:s been steadily declining- or only fluctuat-ing-with a decided downward tendency, the fact remains that it has never since reached- by a long way the number with which these lectures smarted. The first year they were attended by 71 students, and Dr. Bradii*aw is proud of the fact that this year the number,has risen to 47! The paragraph in the petition has been altered according to these figures, but will not be withdrawn by the Canterbury Society of Professional Musicians. *

ln> thanking you for your indulgence, I may say that I shall not trouble you again on this subject, as I have neither the intention nor the desire to waste any more time on it.—Yours, etc., MAX HIRSCHBURG. Christchurch, April 18th, IDOB.