Musicians’ group for N.Z.

Press, 23 September 1987, Page 22

Musicians’ group for N.Z.

An international organisation of young musicians now has a New Zealand branch.

The New Zealand arm of the Federation Internationale Des Jeunesses Musicales was formed by the principal timpanist of the New Zealand Symphony Orchesta, Gary Brain, with Government assistance. Mr Brain was asked to

form the new branch by people he met on a three months study tour of Europe and the United States on a Churchill Memorial Trust fellowship.

The federation is a worldwide organisation, which is a branch of U.N.E.S.C.O. It has branches in most countries including Australia. Its aim is training and

touring of young musicians in schools to present live performances. Mr Brain, who regularly performs to school audiences himself, says the Minister of Education has agreed to meet the fee for New Zealand to join the organisation. In line with what the federation’s head office in Brussels requires, Mr Brain has formed an ad-

visory board, which includes such people as Sir Michael Fowler, Miss Beverley Wakem of Radio New Zealand, Mr Chris Bourne of Television New Zealand, Mr Jeremy Coney and Mr Bill Renwick of the Department of Education. Mr Brain says he will be working closely with the Department of Educatin and Dr Guy Jansen, its head of music.

Regular live performances in schools can steer students in new directions, Mr Brain says. “We are decades behind the world in this specialist area.” There is a need to provide a quality and understanding of music and the performing arts not really available in New Zealand schools, he says.