N.Z. PVT ON THE MAP

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30366, 15 February 1964, Page 20

N.Z. PVT ON THE MAP

Interest After Band’s Visit Two years ago New Zealand was no more than a name to Mr P. J. Molenaar, a Dutch music publisher who is interested in brass bands and who is at present on a short tour of this country. Mr Molenaar, and thousands of other Dutch people, began to learn about New Zealand when the New Zealand National Band competed at file 1962 World Music Festival at Kerkrade, Holland, in 1962, said Mr Molenaar. Thirty-thousand spectators saw the New Zealanders give a haka—'the first seen in Kerkrade. Mr Molenaar then entertained the band for a fortnight. After their return to New Zealand, the band members sent Mr Molenaar two books of coloured illustrations of New Zealand. So impressed was he by the people he had met and the scenes in the book, he resolved to visit New Zealand. Mr Molenaar’s visit has business reasons, ton, In his library of publications he has a number of solo scores for brass instruments which are popular in New Zealand, one of the only countries in the world which has solo contests. Mr Molenaar hopes to get a representative to make the music readily available in New Zealand. Mr Molenaar’s impression of New Zealand so far is of an “open tree country full of sunshine.” He is especially pleased with the gardens of Christchurch. “You have more .flowers here than in Holland,” he said.