A.B.C. MUSIC DIRECTOR

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 8

A.B.C. MUSIC DIRECTOR

John Hopkins Seeks Post , fN.Z. Press AnoHetton) MELBOURNE, January 27. The conductor of the New Zealand National Orchestra, Mr John Hopkins, said today he had applied for the position of Federal music director of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. He declined comment on a report that he had been appointed to the position. Mr Hopkins was speaking to reporters on his arrival in Melbourne from Geelong, Victoria, where he has been guest conductor at a national music camp. He did not elaborate on his remarks about the A.B.C. position. Unofficial reports in Wellington on Friday said Mr Hopkins had been appointed by the A.B.C. Mr Herbert Cannon resigned recently as A.B.C. musical director and the announcement of a successor is expected soon. Mr Hopkins’ contract with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation expires at the end of this year. A spokesman for the A.B.C. in Sydney told the New Zealand Press Association tonight that it was expected the name of Mr Cannon’s successor would be announced "within two weeks.” On other matters, Mr Hopkins said the drain of Australian and New Zealand talent to Europe and America was “terrifying.” “It is a regrettable fact that many of Australia’s talented musicians and singers go overseas for experience and then remain abroad where there are more opportunities and artistic prestige. "This in turn leads to a lack of musicians with sufficient experience and ability to tutor the coming musicians who, in their turn must seek tuition overseas and the vicious -circle continues,” he said.

America had reversed this procedure by giving incentives to European music masters to teach in America with the result that after several generations, that country now had its own world-famous teachers.