FEES FOR CONCERTS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21760, 17 April 1936, Page 9

FEES FOR CONCERTS

REVERSION TO FORMER LEVEt ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY’S DECISION The committee of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society decided at its meeting to revert to something approaching the level at which the annual subscriptions stood a few years ago. The subscription rate for the society’s concerts was left very low last year on the occasion of the society’s seventyfifth anniversary. The new subscription rates, which give admission to all three concerts of the season, are as follow: One ticket (three concerts), 7s (average 2s 4d); double ticket, 14s (2s 3d); three tickets, 20s (2s 2|d): four tickets. 26s (2s 2d). The cost of admission to any one concert by a non-subscriber will be 2s 6d. The entertainment tax is included in each case. The printed pro-,

grammes, which, it was stated, woult be made much more interesting that in the past, will le reduced from 6c to 3d each. Subscribers will have th< advantage of free preferential bookin? for seats at the Radiant Hall, the bo) plans being available to them one daj earlier than will be the case for the general public. A brisk discussion followed the tabling of a motion that the subscrip : tion rates for the new season be fixed as given above. It was declared or more than one occasion that the society had this year definitely taker on a new vitality, and that with, il had come a determination to exce the past by producing the best and brightest works in the most interesting manner possible. Society’s New Vitality The society’s concerts in the last rear or two had not been presented as interestingly as they might have been, declared the chairman of the committee (Mr R. C. Stone), The choice ol rocal works had also been cramped (or financial reasons; and the lack oi my real .vitality in the society as a vhole had resulted in matters going from bad to worse. This year, how>ver, the outlook was entirely changed, jwing to a variety of reasons. One )f these reasons was the society’s

opera, “Mervie England,” for its first concert on April 30, and another cause was the very fortunate choice of outstanding soloists, . The provision of new and brighter works would be more costly, continued Mr Stone, but the cause of music must continue to be served by the society, as it had been for more than three-quarters of a century. In reply to a member of the committee who expressed doubts as to the wisdom of reverting to the higher subscription rate, the conductor (Mr A. G. Thompson) declared that the choir was in great singing form this season, and “Merrie England” was even now almost ready for the stage. The society should not ask for public support; rather should it first merit the fullest support, and then leave the result to all lovers of good music. The motion uxing the subscription rates, for the new season was carried imanitnniielv