The Dominion FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1908. MUSICIANS IN COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 97, 17 January 1908, Page 6

The Dominion FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1908. MUSICIANS IN COUNCIL.

Long before Jonathan Swift's caustic but now somewhat trite apothegm, Strange there should such a difference be twixt tweedledum and tweedledee, was penned, there was an idoa afloat; which something, at least, may be said in justification that, in common with that of the actor s, and, one or two other professions, which it ■ would be superfluous, if not invidious, to name, the musician's temperament is liable to lead him into situations suggestive of Kilkenny cats, The absurd wrangle which arose between the respective partisans _ of Handel and Buoponcini, and which gave occasion for Swift's lines, goes to support the idea, but many other incidents, equally authentic, will occur to those who liaifQ somo slight knowledge of musical history, which point to the conclusion that- the general proposition is not sound. , That it has some slight foundation in fact it would be idle to denyj and until we can elevate human afiairs to a state of perfection as yet only vaguely hinted at, private piques and petty jealousies must of necessity occur. But the trend of modem culture and education within the last decade, or perhaps a little longer, has been distinctly and emphatically towards the amelioration of the musician's condition and general status, as an individual._ He is no longer' regarded by the thinking community as a charlatan, or a slightly superior sort of mountebank. He holds a position today as an artist with a purpose to fulfil, and is recognised accordingly, in most cases, on his merits. Instances may happen, and have unfortunately done so only too often in the past, where, as was said of the author of Hudibras, he has asked for bread and received only a stone, and that his epitaph! We jueed to seek 110 further than the cases of Mozart and Schubert in verification of this. Bflauded to; the skies in their day by those who had sufficient discernment to appreciate their genius, their brief careers ended in penury and misery. But passing from_ such painful examples, we are certainly justified in stating that musicians as a body, notwithstanding their vastly increased numbers, are considerably better off nowadays than they formerly were. By formerly, we mean within comparatively recent years. They are far better educated, generally, than of yore, and it is quite the exception to find one worthy of the name who does not possess a fair share of general information, and, possibly, attainments outside the pale of his art. If he aspire to obtain a university degree in music, either at home or in a reputable foreign university, he must first pass a more qr less stiff examination " in Arts." The policy of this system has, we are aware, been questioned in certain admittedly authoritative quarters, but, in the main, we believe that it has worked for good. Some few cases of- hardship to deserving aspirants may have occurred, but they are exceptional. On January 22 and 23 a conference will be held in Wellington of musicians from all parts of iS T ew Zealand. This is the first time such an event has happened within the Dominion, and it should be a happy augury for the future of local music. It follows the policy, adopted in Great Britain, witli most gratifying results for several years past. There are in the United Kingdom several bodies or associations doing yeomen service in the cause of the musical art. Amongst them may be mentioned the Incorporated Society of Musicians, the Musical Association, and half a score of kindred institutions, all doing good work, and all tending, by their promotion of good fellowship and friendly interchange of ideas amongst their members, to encourage an esprit. de corps and unanimity of purpose which were before unattainable. These remarks apply to the larger assemblages which meet in London or other large-

centres. But the same tiling is being uone, m smaller arears, and, assimilating the idea, a good beginning lias oeen made in ■ Wellington, since the foundation of the Wellington Professional Musicians' Association, of which Mr. Mauglian Barnett is the first president, and which has already done not a little to foster\good feeling and understanding amongst its members, lhere are numerous questions likely to be _ broached at the forthcoming gathering, upon which it is not our purpose, at the present moment, to' animadvert, as we feel it would be preferable to await their inevitable ventilation before attempting to offer any opinions. On one point only shall we have anything to say, and that is as to the suggested- registration of music teachers, such registration, of course, implying' some sort of guarantee as to their capacity for the'"work they assume to carry on. A Bill purporting to deal with this question was brought forward some while ago, • but ■ was shelved, after occasioning some agitation. Legislation of this kind cannot, for obvious reasons, be made retrospective. When, at 1 Home, the Dentists' Act of 1878 was passed, it contained a saving clause under the protecting, segis of which all sorts of persons, including _ chemists, apprentices and others, if possible, less competent, hastened to register themselves as dentists who had been in practice before a certain date named in the Statute. In other words, it is a fact sufficiently selfevident that before the full benefit of an Act of" Parliament of the nature here indicated can be realised, one or two generations, at least, ' must elapse. This' matter; no doubt, will receive attention, and it will be interesting to observe whether or not a practical proposal is forthcoming. In any, case, the Conference should be productive of much good.