Civic orchestra

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33693, 16 November 1974, Page 16

Civic orchestra

Sir, —Would “The Press” please correct another serious distortion of facts by Mr N. G. Pickering in Stating that Vanco Cavdarski and members of the orchestra found no problem in abandoning paid rehearsals to attend subscribers’ meetings while still claiming their pay? The subscribers’ meeting at the Caledonian Hall purposely avoided a rehearsal night to allow players to attend —Mr Cavdarski was then absent from Christchurch—the meetings of October 5 and November 9 were arranged at the conclusion of concerts, with the same purpose in mind. By lengthy preamble, far from allowing frustrated subscribers the time and opportunity for direct questions and answers to the clouded issues of some four months standing and by not having the recent public meeting under control by an independent chairman. Messrs Pickering and Monk again ably demonstrated their skill at evasion but effectually clarified the manner in which they have misrepresented and manipulated the affairs of the board. —Yours, etc., O. B. BROSNAN. November 14, 1974.

Sir, —Your comments on the Pickering/Monks/Perks/ Orchestra Foundation colloquium last night should not be interpreted as reporting, i The many facts given were I necessary to the commentary.! lit was clear that the three I "lynched” intended to use | the time available in extended [apologies. Answers to questions from the audience were either irrelevant or avoided, 'e.g. “I took legal opinion,” “I was not approached by 'other members of the board” (disputed), “The union said I was being very generous” (sic), etc. Clearly, an ordered meeting was not planned or I permitted as Mr Pickering | declined to have an independ- ' ent chairman. Impartiality was also shunned by those expelled officers who had conscientiously negotiated in secret and still keep ail the foundation’s papers guarded from the majority of the board. Must we then sit quietly by, mum to the murder of our constitution, our rights and our orchestra? Your mocking sir, mocks i human values.—Yours etc., R. A. SMITHAM November 14, 1974. Sir, —If you founded an 'orchestra or if you founded la music school and gave all I your free time and devotion I to it, don’t expect any loyalty I from the people who benefit ! from it. This is a selfish and i unjust world, full of jealousy and cowardliness. If Christchurch reallv wants a profes-j, ‘sional orchestra, the only way; is to let the older people (involved go and start all over • again, with the very capable and loyal young ones.— I Yours, etc.. VERY MUCH CONCERNED. , 1 November 14, 197 k 4. •

Sir, —If it is true that, owing to the refusal of Messrs Pickering and Monk to appoint a chairman, last night’s meeting was alarmingly unstructured, it is also true that your reporter has grossly misrepresented the motives of those genuinely concerned to gain settlement of constitutional issues. By contrast, Saturday’s meeting, strictly and impartially chaired, allowed sober judgment; yet, because publicity of it was avoided, the impression is deliberately encouraged by this eriiotive article that those now rather desperate persons, continually referred to as “dissidents,” are incapable of acting responsibly. What did emerge last night was the impression that the whole dispute could still be resolved if Messrs Pickering and Monk could bring themselves to admit the simple fact that in appointing a new conductor so hastily they made a mistake; even their pretence of having acted within the letter of the law no longer convinces ,many subscribers that thev were within the spirit of it. —Yours, etc., P. BUCHANAN. November 14, 1974.