CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 163, 3 April 1908, Page 9

CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

A CHRIBTCHURCH PROTECT. I , ■■• (lIV MLIiGU'ADU— FUESS ASSOCIATION.') -■■ ■ ■ - • ■ Chrisichuroh, April 2. A deputation representing; the different' Societies pf 1 professional musicians in Now 'lea-. land and members of tho "music-teaching profession generally waited upon tho Hon. Geo. Fowkls'. to protest against the proposal, to establish a'-<fonseh ; atorhim of, 'music -in the Dominion as suggested; by the .University of New Zealand, and of subsidising in any way such an institute. Thedeputatioii was introduced/by the Hon. Charles liouisson. Mr. Max Herchburg, who headed tho desaid that the promoters.of the coiiservatbrium scheino. had'approached the Government with a view to receive State'assist-' ancej ; and had lhado public their-views on the matter,; and tho members.of tbo'teaching .profession'throughout -New: Zealand- consequently thought that'it would be as Well for the'Government,to becomo > acquainted with both

sides of the question beloro a decision was' arrived at. A petition; against the proposal had be'en prepared,- and, had been largely signed,;by.-,tho members-.of the profession" 'throughout New-. Zealand. .. , J ' .- .The petition was then read by Mr. H'irsohburgi- It stated that - tho advocates for tiio 'conservatorium claimed ■ , (1) That 'a conservatorium would bo a training ground for music, teachers/ ; '(2) That it 1 would have a radiating , and illuminating influence in tho country. ' (3) That it would produce 'a musical ' " atmosphere. ' ; :" \ ; ' '(4)' That if would'stimulate the desire' for tho. cultivation of music, that tliero would be more work for private music teachers than there had been beforo, and thht it would not interfero with -tho private teachers iii the slightest. ■ •' In-opposing tho scheme,''in: toto,-attention was .drawn to (the following points:— (1), The'establishment of a conserra-. torium liy.' tlio University of New Zea-;' land was premature. . ' ;'. 1 (2) Such a conservatorium would not exercise any radiating and illuminating" influence throughout tho Dominion. - 1 - ' ' (3) The plea that a conservatorium' [ would' produco a " musical atmosphere " was not only wrong but misleading. (4) Tho conservatorium would not ' benefit .private teachers.'. . (5) Objection was takoh to State'aid being granted. (6) The conservatorium examinations would not be largely supported. Tho' Minister replied that tpo representations of tho deputation would receive careful consideration by tho Government.