EXAMINATIONS IN MUSIC

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23129, 19 September 1940, Page 8

EXAMINATIONS IN MUSIC

■ * COMMENT BY MR ANDERSEN TYRER MEDALS PRESENTED AT JELLICOE HALL “Only by examinations can students be kept on the straight path,” said Mr Andersen Tyrer, examiner for the Trinity College of Music, London, in an address at the Jellicoe Hall last evening, when he presented medals won in the recent examinations. Dr. J. Hight, rector of Canterbury University College, and chairman of the local committee, presided. Mr Tyrer, referring to the examinations, said that no student 'came into the examination room absolutely normal. There was a great deal of nervousness, and this was more noticeable in the higher grades. “Nervousness is a very good thing,” he said. “I would not give a farthing for any artist who does not feel a certain amount of tension. But 95 per cent, of the nervousness is caused by the candidates being unprepared. ’ Mr Tyrer .went on to say that certain technical difficulties which the student kept in mind were the main cause of nervousness. If these were mastered, nervousness would be decreased. A high standard of musicianship was needed. He said that music should take a much more important place in the schools. Although there were many difficulties, it could be insisted that music should have its place, as was done in the United States. He did not believe in spending the whole year preparing for examinations. A period of three months was sufficient to prepare for examinations; the rest of the year should be spent in increasing the pupil’s repertoire, which would give a better knowledge of music, and mean that he was better qualified for the examinations. Dr. Hight, in his introductory remarks, expressed the view that music was particularly important at the present time, and that it afforded a strengthening of the spirit. Musicians should seek perfection in their art. Referring later to - Mr Tyrer's comments on the need for music in schools he said that much work was already being done in this direction. The medallists were:— Gold medallist: Advanced senior honours, Miss Joyce Barrell (pupa of Miss G. E. Benton). Silver medallist: Intermediate honours, Miss Elizabeth Hooper (pupil of Miss’ I. Lassen). „ . Bronze medallist: Junior honours, Miss Corrie Bergh (pupil of the Barfield Convent). The following programme was given. Piano solos, Miss Come Bergh Miss Elizabeth H. Hooper, Miss Joan Thompson Miss Joyce Barrell, Miss Betty Dennis, Miss Litster M. Burneth Mr Rex A. Barrell: piano duet, Misses Bertille Lenihan and Yvonne Lyon, violin solo, Mr J. Horan. OBITUARY —♦ — MR FRANK MCILRAITH Advice has been received by relatives in New Zealand of the death in London of Mr Frank L. Mcllraith, a journalist, who began his career in Christchurch. Mr Mcllraith was born, at Springfield, Canterbury, and attended the Springfield School. After working for several New Zealand publications, Mir Mcllraith went to Australia, and in 1925 to England. For a time he was on, the staff of the "Daily' Mail," London, but later he became an independent contributor to a number, of American and Australian newspapers. Most of his w° r if a® London correspondent of Smiths Weekly.” In 1934 he published, in collaboration with Mr Roy Connolly, a novel with the title, Invasion from th On Al Mr Mcllraith’s death messages of sympathy were sent by Mr H. G. Wells, Mr Sean O’Casey, and many Government officials and trades union leaders. A representative of the United States press said that Mr Mcllraith’s work was a credit to his country, his countrymen, his pi ofession. His funeral was attended by the agents-general of Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. Wreaths were sent by the Hum Com missioner for New Zealand iMr W. J. Jordan), and the High Commissioner for Australia (Mr S. M- Bruce). T ri butos were also paid by offl S ia rai,iP the Ministry of Information and Cable an Mr^Mc!lraith L is d survived by his wife and two sons. MR JOHN MATHEWS The death of Mr Johrr Mathews, a well-known citizen of Gore, occurred recently. Mr Mathews was widely known in business circles throughout Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. H, was a son of Mr and Mrs Samu Mathews, of Timaru. and was born m that town in 1879. He took up an appointment with, the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Ltd., but relinquished this to join the firm of Reid and Gray, Ltd., which he served for 25 years,.being stationed at Timaru, Gore, and Dunedin. While at Dunedin he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. During the last two years Mr Mathews' did not have very good health and during that period he lived at Gore. One of his chief interests wherever he was stationed was the Presbyterian Church, or which he was a deacon and later an elder. In sporting circles Mr Mathews was well known, more particularly through his interest in rifle shooting. He was responsible for the reviving of the Gore Defence Rifle Club, the establishment of the organisation on a sound financial basis, and the erection of a fine range at McNab. He was president of the club for s period and was a particularly good shot. In 1908 he married Miss Olive May Wall, a daughter 'of the late Mr and Mrs W. H. Wall, of Timaru, and he is surviyed by his widow and two sons, Mr Arthur Mathews (Invercargill), and the Rev, John Mathews (Riversdale).