Paid String Orchestra Advocated For City

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29240, 25 June 1960, Page 15

Paid String Orchestra Advocated For City

“A small full professional string orchestra of about 14 players is the only really practicable form of orchestra for Christchurch,” said Professor Vernon Griffiths, dean of the faculty of music at the University of Canterbury, in an address to the Christchurch Civic Music Council last evening. Professor Griffiths was not in favour of a larger semi-profes-sional symphony orchestra for the city, saying that “it condemned every musical activity to mediocrity for years to> come.”

“Musical development in Christchurch is at a critical stage. The 3YA studio orchestra has disbanded and the need for another orchestra in the city has become urgent. The John Ritchie String Orchestra is a welcome exception,” said Professor Griffiths. “The time has come for Christchurch to have a truly professional orchestra, not a part-pro-fessional. part-amateur one as suggested. The day for such orchestras has completely passed,” he said. “Impeccable Standards"

“I am not opposed to amateurs but they can never achieve the standard that is desirable in a city orchestra. They do not live with their music. They cannot practice all day. or strive for impeccable standards. “I think that Christchurch owes it to its citizens, and to its own cause of musical development to have a professional orchestra. I*, is absolutely imperative to act now.” he said.

“Christchurch cannot expect the Government to establish another symphony orchestra in the South Island with its base in Christchurch. That is quite beyond the realms of possibility. “We must also realise that a symphony orchestra is not the only type of orchestra. s

“If the time has come to set up an orchestra in Christchurch and we know we cannot have a full symphony orchestra, then is it not possible to have something less—a string orchestra? “The string orchestra’s repertoire is large. It is capable of being accommodated on small stages, and it is easy to take on tour round the country. It can accompany all sorts of musical groups, perhaps with the addition of a harpsichord, piano or woodwind instrument,” said Professor Griffiths. “Of course, the first necessity is for more string players. There are hundreds of cases of young people who study music overseas and who are eager for the chance to play professionally in New Zealand when their studies are finished. The string orchestra would fill this need." he said. Liberal Retainers

“These young people who return from overseas want sufficient payment for their services if they are to play professionally. They must be paid a liberal retainer— I suggest £3OO a year, although I would like to see it at £4OO. For this sum they would be expected to give a certain number of civic concerts and accompany a certain number of choral society performances.

“They must have time to rehearse and the freedom to tour as individuals, or as small chamber music groups or ensembles

“For concert performances they would receive additions’ payment. When their standard became such that they could play for the New Zealand Broadcasting Service they would receive more money." he said. “These professionals must be allowed to teach. In this way young players can be prepared as reserves for the National Orchestra. “Such a scheme is much better than a mixed orchestra or 35 or 40 players. You cannot play symphonic music with an orchestra this size. It is unmusical and inartistic. It condemns every musical activity to mediocrity for years ta come,” said Professor Griffiths. “A string orchestra could be the germ from which would ultimately grow a full symphony orchestra for Christchurch.”

Repertoire Queried Some doubt over the wisdom of establishing a string orchestra was expressed by Mr C. Cook. He said that the obviously limited repertoire of the orchestra would restrict the choirs which it accompanied to only those numbers arranged specifically for string orchestra and choir. This would have the effect of lowering enthusiasm, and thus the standard of choral music. Professor Griffiths assured Mr Cook that the repertoire of the string orchestra was not limited. He regretted that he did not have a list of the numerous numbers which the string orchestra was capable of playing with choral groups. Many required only the addition of one or two obbligatto woodwind instruments.

Mr J. A. Ritchie’s suggestion of a larger semi-professional group containing brass and woodwind, which could be contracted into a smaller professional group after two or three years, was not favoured by Professor Griffiths.

“It would merely be a picture of what has happened in the past,” he said. “There would have to be a showdown when the contraction took place.”

Mr J. F. Skedden said that the most important thing was to have an orchestra of the highest quality. _ Interest of Councils a Six local counties, including tha» Christchurch City Council interested in the proposal for establishing some form of orchestra in Christchurch, said Cr G. A. G. Connal, in a report to the music council. It was generally agreed in principle by the counties that the proposal was a worthy one and that finance should be contributed by the local bodies on a pro rata capital basis, he said. Representatives of the Paparua, Waimairi, Heathcote and Halswell county councils, possibly Lyttelton Borough Council and Christchurch City Council would attend a meeting in July 19 to discuss the proposal for an orchestra, said Cr. Connal. He said that roughly £lOOO had been promised by the two Christchurch choral societies if an orchestra was established, and at present it was foreseeable that at least £l5OO would come from interested local bodies.

He hoped ‘that commercial sources would bring the figure to about £4500, which was the annual cost of a string orchestra as suggested by Professor Griffiths.

A sub-committee of the music council was elected to formulate administrative details of the proposed orchestra. A report Will be .-prepared to provide Cr. Connal with a tentative plan to present at the meeting of the counties in July.