N.B.S. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24867, 6 May 1946, Page 4

N.B.S. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

APPOINTMENT OF CONDUCTOR

MUSICIANS EXPRESS CONCERN The proposal of the National Broadeasting Service to form a permanent symphony orchestra and the method of appointing its conductor are discussed in a statement, signed by professional and amateur musicians ana friends of music, to be sent to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), the Minister of Broadcasting (the Hon. F. Jones), and the Director of Broadcasting (Professor J.-Shelley). Since Saturday 58 signatures to the statement have been obtained, and more will be added to-day. The signatures include:—lrene Ballantyne, L. F. de Berry, chairman, Royal Musical Society, C. Foster Browne, Christchurch Cathedral organist, Ernest Empson, president, Registered Society of Music Teachers, Vernon Griffiths, Professor of Music, Canterbury University College, J. L. Hay, chairman, Canterbury Musical Festival Committee, Heathcote G. Helmore, Douglas G. Lilburn, Ngaio Marsh, E. Douglas Pullon, J. H. E. Schroder, F. Sinclaire, Professor of English, Canterbury University College, Sydney L. Thompson, G. T. Weston. The statement follows:“The N.B.S. recently announced Its intention to proceed with plans for the forthation of a permanent symphony orchestra, and Mr Andersen Tyrer was appointed to hold auditions in New Zealand to ehoose players CN.Z. Listener,' Jan. 25, 1846). , "No announcement was made about the conductorship of the orchestra, or about the procedure to be followed in appointing a conductor. The Minister of Broadcasting, the Hon. F. Jones, has refused to make any statement on this matter though questioned repeatedly. “Professional and amateur musicians throughout the country are disturbed by the situation, the more so because rumour is persistent that the Government has made or intends to make an appointment without advertising the position. The Dominion Conference of the Music Teachers' Registration Board of N.Z. unanimously endorsed a resolution protesting at such a procedure, and the same matter was made the occasion of a public meeting in Wellington recently, and of deputations to the Prime Minister both there and in Christchurch. Although the Prime Minister received these deputations sympathetically, it was unfortunately impossible for him to give ah assurance satisfactory to all concerned. “In view of the effect such an appointment will have on the future musical development of this country, and concerned at the possibility of the matter being so summarily disposed of, the undersigned think it essential to set out before the Government and before thepubllc their opinion: "(1) That before any key appointment is made the position should be widely advertised, at least throughout the Empire, to secure the most suitable applicant. “(2) That an advisory committee of representative musicians should be coopted to assist the Government in making the appointment, to ensure that the appointee shall have the confidence and co-operation of musicians in this country, and to ensure that regional musical interests shall not be made to suffer unduly through a centralisation of available talent.”