Music trust for Chch

Press, 24 December 1986, Page 18

Music trust for Chch

High level music tuition is the aim of the Canterbury Music Trust, which will be set up early next year.

The trust will be established by the University of Canterbury, to fund tuition for tertiary music students that would not otherwise be available in the city.

The head of the university’s School of Music, Mr David Sell, said the trust was being formed to meet a gap in music tuition.

The trust would establish a capital fund, the interest from which would be used to either bring music teachers to Christchurch or to send students overseas for tuition.

Early in 1987 businesses, individuals and institutions would be asked to contribute to the trust fund, Mr Sell said.

For some instruments there was a dearth of “high level” music teachers, Mr Sell said.

The aim of the trust was broader than just

helping a student or students each year. It was to foster music teaching at a high level and music in the community. He said a teacher brought to Christchurch would be brought on a “long-term” basis for at least a year, preferably longer. “We want an on-going resource for students. The aim is to assist as many students as possible. The teachers would also be working in the music community with organisations such as the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.” When the first teacher would be brought to Christchurch depended on the response when the trust was launched next year, Mr Sell said. “We are looking at about $30,000 minimum to bring someone so that’s a lot of capital. I think perhaps the first teacher might be here in 1988.” Final details of the trust had still to be determined, Mr Sell said.