Young Persons To Train In National Orchestra

Press, Volume C, Issue 29436, 11 February 1961, Page 2

Young Persons To Train In National Orchestra

Two Christchurch girls began rehearsals with the National Orchestra in Wellington this week. They are Angela Connal and Sheila Riches, both violinists. This is believed to be the first time in the world that trainees have been accepted into a symphony orchestra. Angela, who is aged 19, was educated at the Christchurch Girls’ High School. Formerly a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Sheila came to Christchurch from Grimsby, England, a year ago Nine trainees have been selected The others are Helen Edwards and Wendy Pitt, of Auckland, Jane Freed, of Wellington. Gloria Findley and Sonia Smyth, of Dunedin, and Lars Johansen, of Whangarei The first three play the violin, Gloria the clarinet, Sonia the double bass and Lars the cello. A Dunedin girl, Noeline Kloogh, who plays the bassoon, is in Australia for three months. Largely self-taught in her instrument, Noeline is taking lessons with Thomas Wightman, the principal bassoon of the Victorian Symphony Orchestra. On a year’s engagement, the trainees will rehearse with the National Orchestra when it is in Wellington and will play in concerts there. The aim of the scheme is to give young

persons experience in orchestral playing to ensure that there will be skilled players available to fill vacancies in the orchestra. In Wellington the trainees are in the charge of the music organiser of the National Orchestra, Ashley Heenan. “The trainee scheme is a big step forward for the National Orchestra,” said the conductor (John Hopkins). “It is essential in a country like New Zealand which has no academy or college of music and is so isolated. It will give these young people 25 hours a week orchestral playing which they would get in few, if any, overseas academies

“So far as I know, it is the first time that trainees have been accepted into a symphony orchestra anywhere in the world,” said Mr Hopkins “I am most grateful for the cooperation we have received from the Musicians’ Union and for the enthusiasm of members of the orchestra for the scheme.” The trainees were selected by a committee comprising Mr M. A. Richard, head of music (chairman); Mr Hopkins, Mr M. J. Glubb, concert manager; Mr Heenan, and Vincent Aspey, leader of the National Orchestra.