MUSIC IN N.Z. LIFE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 9

MUSIC IN N.Z. LIFE

Examiner’s Comments Judging by the increasing number of children entering for music examinations each year, music would appear to be playing a more prominent • part in New Zealand life, said Mr Ronald Biggs, who ar-' rived in Christchurch this week to conduct examinations and scholarship audi-' tions on behalf of the Associa- ; ted Board of the Royal Schools of Music. This is the first time since he started examining for the board 15 years ago that Mr Biggs has visited New Zealand. During the six months he has spent in the country he has examined more than 2000 children.

Mr Biggs finds there is little difference in the musical standards between British and New Zealand children. “The most common fault is a poor sense of rhythm,” he said. “Rhythm is the absolute life of music. Why some races should be known for their sense of rhythm while others do not have it to the same extent is something I have never been able to solve,” Mr Biggs said. While children should be taught an appreciation of classical music, Mr Biggs said that contemporary music should be introduced to give balance just as practical must be combined with theory if a child was to have a proper understanding of music.

During the war, Mr Biggs was music programme supervisor for the 8.8. C. He has also been the director of the Rural Music Schools Council and the director of music of the arts department of the Dartington Hall Community in Devon.