CONCERT VENUE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 12

CONCERT VENUE

Barracks Or Court? Whether the King Edward Barracks or Canterbury Court will be used for the Royal concert in Christchurch on February 1? will be decided at an executive meeting of the Christchurch Civic Music Council tomorrow afternoon. An inspection of Canterbury Court, and its acoustics, was made yesterday by a sub-committee of the Music Council, including Sir James Hay and Mr C. Foster Browne, together with Mr R. T. Alston, the joint secretary of Canterbury Court. The possibility of using Canterbury Court was considered after it was made known that the roof of the King Edward Barracks leaks badly during rain. Beyond confirming that the inspection had' been made. Sir James Hay, who is president of the Music Council, would make no further statement when questioned last evening. “We made a full investigation of the whole situation, and will make a decision at our executive committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon.” he said. The acoustic tests carried out yesterday afternoon were reasonably satisfactory, said Mr Alston last evening. Provided that the accommodation for the choir and orchestra, and the seating, could be worked out. it was felt that “something could be done” with Canterbury Court, he said. The King Edward Barracks was a third larger than Canterbury Court, and the seating arrangements devised would consequently have to be readjusted, especially since the choir and orchestra required a big area of space. Mr Alston said.

“It was agreed that Canterbury Court had some advantages—it has facilities which would be useful for the arrangements. while the acoustics were reasonably satisfactory under the circumstances, but it will have to be examined closely as regards the seating accommodation,” he said.