NEW MUSIC FOR CHOIRS

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27734, 11 August 1955, Page 16

NEW MUSIC FOR CHOIRS

BURNHAM FESTIVAL TODAY COMBINED CONCERT BY SEVEN GROUPS Most of the programme to be presented in the seven choirs’ festival at Burnham Military Camp this evening will be new music and new arrangements sung for the first time in New Zealand. It was collected in England last year by Mr Lloyd G. Beach, music tutor in the adult educational department of Canterbury University College, which is sponsoring this festival. In his early work with .amateur singers,- Mr Peach was concerned about the dearth of fresh material for untrained voices, and during his refresher leave he visited all the leading publishing houses to get new works. He has found what he considers “recreational, tuneful, educational” music and the new interest of performers suggests that they, too, are pleased. Some of the works are ambitious, one of the massed choir items being unaccompanied, although in six parts with a baritone solo. In two festivals this month, more than 60 recent productions will be heard. Abdut 150 persons will take part at Burnham, with district choirs from Dunsandel, Burnham, Templeton, Bryndwr, Rakaia, Lincoln, and 34 young men who have formed a choir among the 18-year-old trainees at Burnham Camp. But enthusiasm is so great that singers from as far away as Lowcliffe, Hinds, and Lauriston went to Burnham last Sunday to join these singers in a full rehearsal. Another festival with other choirs will be held next week at Ashburton. The experiment of working two areas simultaneously was achieved by fortnightly visits to each district over a period of 12 weeks. In between the members, often inexperienced, have carried on their own training. Mr Peach believes that support is so well assured that the choirs will eventually be able to. work with their own conductors.