N.Z. Standard Of Music Praised By Examiners

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29932, 20 September 1962, Page 15

N.Z. Standard Of Music Praised By Examiners

The standard of music in New Zealand is equal to that in England, according to two English examiners of the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, who are touring New Zealand conducting grade and diploma examinations. The examiners. Mr C. Fisher, professor of pianoforte at the Royal College of Music, London, and Mr M. C. Boyle, tutor in the extra-mural department of Manchester University, arrived in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Fisher has been an examiner for the board since 1956 and Mr Boyle since 1953. They have been examining in the North Island since the end of May and will conclude their work in December. Examinations for diplomas will be conducted in Christchurch

until next Wednesday and in Dunedin for the next week. After that the examiners will separate and do grade examinations in the smaller centres. A third examiner. Dr. S. Nothcote, of London, will arrive in Auckland on September 22 to assist in the final three months' work. In an interview last evening Mr Fisher and Mr Boyle said they considered the playing standard in New Zealand very high. They considered the one annual examination in New Zealand was better than the three examinations held in England each year. “The entrants gear themselves up and make sure of the examination,” said Mr Boyle. "Mort teachers are very alert to the standard required and they are fairly sure a student has a good chance before he enters," said Mr Fisher. He said that 85 per cent, of the students were pianns'.s but there was a larger entry this year in non-piano subjects. Some excellent piano, violin, string and woodwind playing had been heard. School music wars beginning to attract candidates, and two very good students had entered in this searching examination said Mr Boyle. Theory examinations. Mr Fisher said, had been characterised by the rarity of failures, and the very high marks awarded testified to the careful preparation done by teachers. Mr Boye said that it bad become "quite monotonous” marking papers m the nineties. Mr Fisher said that while in Auckland he heard more music than he heard when in London. He attributed this to the fact that choirs were in walking distance. He said he had been favourably impressed by the National Orchestra and its conductor. Mr John Hopkins. "Absolutely marvellous" was Mr Boyle's description of the choir of St. Mary of the Angels Roman Catholic Church in Wellington. He made special mention of the polyphony and chant of the choir, and added that its standard was higher than that of church choirs in England.