Arts Centre Study By Music Council

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32266, 8 April 1970, Page 16

Arts Centre Study By Music Council

The possibility of an arts centre or conservatorium, either nationally or locally, will be explored by the Christchurch Civic Music Council.

This was decided at the council’s last meeting after members heard Mr R. E. Perks, a senior lecturer at Christchurch Teachers’ College and director of the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music, speak on “Trends in Musical Education.” Mr Perks, who attended the first national conference of the Australian Society for Music Education and the U.N.E.S.C.O. seminar in music in tertiary education in Brisbane, said, he was impressed with the idea of combined arts and “total theatre” —mix-

ing movement with mime, music and story and putting them together in a total experience.

“Teachers are moving towards these ideas in Tasmania and Canberra, and we have been thinking about them for years in New Zealand,” Mr Perks said. The council also altered its constitution to allow local bodies in Canterbury to affiliate with it. The Christchurch City Council, which is already affiliated, has three representatives on the council, one of whom is a member of the executive. Other local bodies will be permitted one representative.

The council hoped that this move would increase and widen support throughout the province, the secretary (Mrs R. W. Hendry) said in a statement after the meeting. She said the council had given considerable assistance to provincial towns, promoting music festivals in Rangiora, Ashburton, Temuka and Waimate. Ashburton now had its own committee to promote an annual festival in conjunction with district musical groups.

Groups in Rangiora were also active, although further south activity had declined, Mrs Hendry said. A fresh stimulation could be given to the large potential in smaller centres, possibly with the direct association and interest of local bodies, which would be approached by the council. Mrs Hendry said that provision had been made in the constitution to include a representative of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council on the music council.