C.B.H.S. Concert Shows Extent Of Effort

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32126, 23 October 1969, Page 16

C.B.H.S. Concert Shows Extent Of Effort

Choral and Instrumental Concert Music Master, Allan Packman. School Pianist, Philip Driver. School Assembly Hall. It is all too easy when moving into a new situation to inherit all that one’s predecessor has established—without variation, without assessment This is all too obviously the trap into which Mr Packman has fallen during his first two years as music master at the school. The multifarious and diverse musical activities that have developed at Christchurch Boys’ High School over many years are just too much for one man, new to the situation, to handle with ease.

The printed programme for last night’s public concert showed just how much is being attempted—treble choir, Intermediate choir, senior choir, brass band, school orchestra, string orchestra, combined choirs, plus chamber en. sembles and individual items. To expose these participants to public scrutiny when obviously the amount of effort required is just keeping them

in existence must affect critical standards of presentation, is a disservice to the musical tradition of the school and unfair to Mr Packman’s own talents.

The school has produced some fine musicians and there was ample evidence last evening to show that this year's school has its share of talented pupils. If Mr Packman has to carry single handed the responsibility of all the school music then some pruning of what must obviously be extracurricular musical activity is overdue. The real music of the school is that which is done in the classroom, and if something outstanding develops there, then expose that for public hearing. But let’s not perpetuate the traditional school concert pattern where standards so often are secondary to involvement. A discerning audience would applaud a concert where the items were given only by solo performers. In fact, the disappointingly small audience did show acute discernment and appreciation of the school pianist’s fine performance of a Chopin study. Philip Driver has a secure technique and, in addition to his work

as a piano soloist and accompanist, he made a significant contribution as leader of the orchestras.

The most Impressive contribution from the school was that of the senior boys, both in their own items and in those of the combined choirs. They had excellent diction, unforced but well-supported tone, particularly in the middle and lower parts of the voice, and in most songs, a sense of musical feeling. If you are an old-timer and insensitive to the niceties of musical performance this concert was for you—Negro spirituals, “Old Father Thames," “Waiata Poi,” “Bird Songs at Eventide.” Is the repertoire really so barren? —w PH