Standards high for holiday orchestra

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32604, 12 May 1971, Page 21

Standards high for holiday orchestra

Young musicians who wished to be selected for the Secondary-Schools’ Holiday Orchestra had to meet an exceptionally high standard this year.

Many applicants for the course were rejected—not because they lacked musical ability, but because the school simply could not accommodate in one orchestra the 150 or so pupils who applied. As a result, the organisers were able to pick and choose the members of the holiday course and the standard is therefore very high, with a pass in Grade Six musical examinations being the mini mum requirement for the violin section. Grade Seven for the cello section and Grade Eight passed with distinction. or letters in music, being the qualifying entry into the flute and clarinet parts of the woodwind section.

Mr W. H. Walden-Mills, conductor of the orchestra, said that it was hoped that sometime a second orchestra would be started to encourage those players who were not yet good enough for the present orchestra. In some cases, however, if a child showed talent, he was allowed into the orchestra, even if he did not have the necessary qualifications. Mr I Walden-Mills said. "When I was auditioning] applicants for the National Youth Orchestra, I noticed two lads, both aged 13. who showed considerable promise, and they are at present attending the holiday course." he said. Pupils who did not sit the standard musical examinations are judged on the comments of their teachers, whose integrity the course organisers have to rely on. In all the main centres of

Middle Etut toll

Israeli military forces have killed nearly 2000 Arab guerrillas and imprisoned 3000 other since the six-day war of June, 1967, official sources in Te Aviv reported today, adding that the guerrilla leaders had never been able to muster more than between 10,000 and 15,000 fighting men. The officials gave the Israeli casualties as 183 soldiers and 12 civilians killed, and 870 military men and 725 civilians wounded. About 150 Arabs, including 21 children, were killed in the same period by terrorist acts.

New Zealand except Christchurch orchestral holiday courses are held for primary and intermediate school musicians. These pupils progress into the secondaryschool orchestra, which, since its inception hat been regarded as a stepping-stone for the National Youth Orchestra. Mr Walden-Mills said that the purposes of the holiday courses was to encourage.

and to give experience to, those children who wished to become professional musicians.

“But although the holiday orchestral courses emphasise the discipline and team spirit of working in an orchestra, the courses also stimulate the potential solo musician.” he said. “Not only is he taught by the best musicians available in New Zealand, but he is also subjected to the strict discipline of the orchestra, which is invaluable training for solo work.”

The secondary schools instrumental course is held twice a year; in Auckland at Christmas and in Christ-

church in the May holidays. Last May. however, for the first time, the school was held in Hamilton to encourage young musicians there. This year, the course is being held at St Andrew's College, and will continue in daily sessions until Friday, when a final demonstration concert will be held. Each day the course bejgins at 9.15 a.m. with a refnearsal of the full orchestra, at which the works to be played at the concert are played. Such works are “The Clockwork Symphony,” by Haydn; “Fingal's Cave,” by Mendelssohn; “Ballet Parisi-

enne,” by Offenbach; and a “Concerto Grosso in G minor.” by Geminiani. After this, the orchestra is split up into tutorial groups. These are small groups of pupils who are given individual instruction in the pieces to be played at the concert, and also in the other ensemble pieces.

In the afternoon there are further tutorial sessions, followed by a group rehearsal in which the various sections of the orchestra—such as strings, brass, and woodwind —play together. The course is attended by secondary school pupils from all parts of New Zealand. 43

coming from Christchurch. Tutors of the various sections of the orchestra are drawn mainly from secondary - school instrumental teachers in Christchurch.

They are Mr Louis Yffer and Mrs Lois McDonald (violin), Mr Bernard Slade (viola). Miss Ellen Doyle (cello). Miss Melvina McBride (string bass), Mr Douglas Kelly (brass), Messrs Anton Radaich, Stuart Buchanan, and Tom Brown (woodwind). Mr Walden-Mills taking a string ensemble during the afternoon tutorial session at St Andrew’s Col-