Music contest doubt

Press, 25 November 1982, Page 6

Music contest doubt

The future of the Christchurch Civic Music Council's national concerto competition is in: doubt with the withdrawal ’of ■ its '•.Queen' . Elizabeth ? IF; Arts Council grant.?: '■■•.v-:: The Arts Council, has- increased its grant for this : year’s & competition from . $2OOO to $2500, but has said that no further grants will be. given. - “We ' felt that the Arts Council was giving us a little., extra cream, with the cake, and then taking the cake away”, said'the Civic Music Council’s chairman, Mr.W.E. Woodley? , • “We felt we should speak out about: it. This' is hot 'the ■ thing that should happen to : young musicians in tms coun- . try,” he said. The’Competition Has been, run by?the Music.;Council for . young: • musicians? ' from throughout New, Zealand, under 25 years of age, for the. last 15 years. ' The pianist) Michael Hous-. toun, is a . past/winner, and. the . clarinettist, Mark Walton, reached?the final-three inthetcontest. Thee Arts Council blamed: tbe : economic situation for: the cut,- and: said it? lias had;

to look carefully at every application. 7 It also told the Music Council that it had supported : the competition because it : was considered unique. With the new Television New Zea-land-New Zealand Symphony Orchestra competition, it . was no longer unique in the ■ Arts Council’s eyes. But Mr Woodley said there were no indications that the new contest would be an annual, one. Many'Competitors in the new contest had to give private auditions, while the Music Council’s competition always had pub>s lie recitals. The Arts. Council has -7 offered to help the Music Council find .. commercial sponsorship for its. contest. But Mr Woodley said they : had; Already 1 done this and got no positive answers. ;. As well as the Arts Council . grant; the concerto compete- ? tion is supported by councils, 7 bequests, and; private dona- . tions. Prizes are gifted. :• 'Mr Woodley said \the .‘Christchurch- Symphony .< Orchestra, which ? accoih)7 panied ■' the three. finalists; ? cost $7700, and this could gb. lip/'c ’ ‘

The matter will be discussed by the Civic Music Council at its annual meeting tomorrow. It will also ask the Arts Council to change its mind about the grant.' The preliminary section of this year’s competition will begin in about two weeks.- -. ■_