CITY ORCHESTRA FOUNDATION

Press, Volume C, Issue 29540, 15 June 1961, Page 9

CITY ORCHESTRA FOUNDATION

F ees To Be Paid For Services Societies requiring the services of the Christchurch Civic Orchestra Foundation’s orchestra will have to pay the usual fees for performances and necessary rehearsals. This was decided by the committee of the foundation this week. Grants of £2l each were made to the Christchurch Orchestral Society and the Christchurch Youth Orchestra to help them to purchase' suitable music and equipment. The names were received of the two appointees from the five local bodies, apart from the Christchurch City Council, contributing to the foundation’s funds, and the officers of the foundation are: Patron, Sir James Hay; president. Mr G. A. G. Connal; honorary vice-president, Dr. Vernon Griffiths; secretary. Mr A. W. Mann; treasurer. Mr W. Goode; committee. Messrs J. F. Collins, F. R. Cullen, H. Chaplin. L. F. de Berry, C. Foster Browne. J. I. Colligan (Waimairi County Council), W. Stevenson (Riccarton Borough Council), E. R. Field-Dodgson. W. R. Hawkey and J. A. Ritchie. The board of management comprises the president, secretary. treasurer and Messrs Foster Browne and Collins. It was decided that all applications for the orchestra’s services should be made in writing to the secretary as early as possible. It was said that the orchestra was already heavily engaged during September, except for the first few days. It was reported that the foundation had completed a contract with the John Ritchie Orchestra for its services. Under the direction of the foundation, this orchestra had contracted to give four public performances and 35 three-hour rehearsals during the year'. It was expected that the substantial number of rehearsals, the accompanying work for various societies. the broadcasting contracts. and university and school concerts would raise the standard to a high level. The foundation has decided to open a membership list for subscribers ana this will be based on a rate of £1 a year for four concerts and with preferential bookings.