The Press THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975. A new constitution for the orchestra

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33779, 27 February 1975, Page 16

The Press THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1975. A new constitution for the orchestra

Christchurch concertgoers will have been relieved to learn that enough musicians have remained in Christchurch and are willing to work under the new musical director to ensure the survival of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. At the height of the acrimonious disputes of last year, the orchestra’s survival was by no means certain. The interim management committee of the Christchurch Civic Orchestra Foundation, having allowed a reasonable time for tempers to cool, is now proceeding to draw up a new constitution for the orchestra. The anxiety of people connected with the orchestra to avoid a repetition of last year’s disputes should help guarantee peace for the orchestra for some time. The drafting of a constitution which is acceptable to all concerned is now necessary: adherence to the constitution in future will be necessary to the success of the orchestra.

The members of the interim committee of management are the heads of the three local bodies which contribute a significant proportion of the orchestra’s funds. These local bodies have a right to require that the new constitution allows them to ensure that the money they contribute to the orchestra is spent wisely. But their power to direct the orchestra’s affairs should be narrowly and strictly defined. Local bodies dispense funds to a large number of cultural and sporting organisations without demanding direct participation in running the affairs of those organisations. The orchestra should not be an exception. To allow local body representatives to have control over strictly musical matters would only lay the way open to further confusion of responsibilities of the sort which led to last year’s disputes. But the local bodies should be able to give the orchestra considerable help in managing its finances and making its business arrangements.

Representatives of the local bodies should sit on a board with representatives elected by the subscribers and the players, and with others appointed by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and by one or more of the new broadcasting corporation. In addition to this board a smaller committee should be empowered to make all artistic decisions and to supervise the day-to-day running of the orchestra. The board should have one or two representatives on this committee, but it should be chaired by the musical director and a majority of its members should be elected by the players in the orchestra. Specific responsibilities of each of the two bodies should be spelled out —notably the appointment of new players and of a new musical director when that is necessary. New players might be appointed by the board on the recommendation of the committee, and a new musical director by the board after seeking the advice of the committee. Even when the responsibilities of each body are clearly defined disagreements between them are bound to arise. If proper procedures are laid down and followed, there is no reason to suppose that disagreements could not be resolved amicably. If all members of the board are genuinely interested in and well informed on orchestral music, the likelihood of ruptures as serious as last year’s should be greatly diminished.

Some may feel that the appointment of a full-time professional manager for the orchestra will be unnecessary if the new constitution is clear and acceptable to all. But to have one person to make the day-to-day administrative decisions will both ensure the orderly administration of the orchestra and prevent bitter partisan bickering in favour of or against particular decisions in the committee or on the board, none of whose members will feel any need to defend particular decisions. The manager will have to sit on, and work in close co-operation with, the smaller committee, but be finally responsible to the board. If a suitable person can be found, the appointment of a manager would help to conserve the orchestra’s modest funds.