N.Z. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27072, 22 June 1953, Page 2

N.Z. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

CONDUCTOR’S TERM EXTENDED

CONCERTS DURING ROYAL TOUR

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 20.

Mr Warwick Braithwaite, who has been guest conductor of the National Orchestra since March this year, has accepted an extension of his engagement, said the Minister in charge of Broadcasting (Mr R. M. Algie) today. Mr Braithwaite’s present engagement terminates on October 31. He will then fulfil engagements he has already undertaken in the United States, but he will return to New Zealand about the middle of December and conduct the orchestra in concerts during the Royal tour and for some months of the 1954 concert season. One of the Royal tour engagements was a command performance in Dunedin, details of which would be announced later, said Mr Algie. ‘‘l am sure it will be widely regarded as a most fortunate arrangement that wall enable the National Orchestra to appear under the baton of New Zealand’s distinguished conductor before Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and their party. “Mr Braithwaite will conduct the orchestra through some part of the 1954 season,” said Mr Algie. ‘‘lt is expected that a new appointment will be effective by August 31, when Mr Braithwaite’s extended engagement will end. One of the advantages of its extension is that it affords sufficient time to pursue and complete an appointment to the position vacated last March by Mr Michael Bowles. Steps to that end will be announced shortly.**