HIGH HOPES FOR FUTURE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 44, 15 November 1929, Page 12

HIGH HOPES FOR FUTURE

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SEND-OFF TO CONDUCTOR Much enthusiasm prevailed at the send-off accorded to Mr. Leon de Mauny yesterday by the executive of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra prior to his departure to-day on a brief holiday visit to England. The president (Mr. E. Palliser) presided, and, in • addition to the guest of honour, there were also present: Aladame Evelyn de Mauny, and Messrs. Walter Fuller, H. C. W. Blick, E. Dawson, W. P. Pringle, and S. Webster. Mr. Palliser mentioned that they had assembled to bid bon voyage ro their capable and popular conductor prior to his departure for England on a well-earned holiday. The executive all felt very grateful to Mr. de Mauny, l as it had been almost entirely due to his ability as a conductor and the zeal he put into his work that at last they had y ‘i symphony orchestra in Wellington. “When he and I first discussed the possibility of forming such an orchestra some years ago,” said Mr. Palliser, “Mr. de Mauny put his back to the wall, and entered into the undertaking with such zest that he never looked back. It is with the greatest satisfaction that we find that we will be able to come out this season with a small credit balance. Our October concert was a pronounced success, and the credit of bringing the Symphony Orchestra to such a pitch of excellence has been almost entirely due to Mr. de Mauny, as he has had to? train many of the players himself. We could not allow him to leave on his visit to England without imparting to. him a little of,the warmth we all feel towards him.” Mr. Palliser then asked Mr. de Mauny to accept a Petone travelling rug from ' the executive, with their best wishes for a pleasant holiday, and a safe return to again take up his baton.

.What Is Wanted. Mr. de Mauny, in returning thanks, said that the Symphony Orchestra would not have attained such success had jt not been for the enthusiasm of the executive. What was wanted in this country to complete a symphony orchestra were bassoon, oboe, horn, and harp players, who would be able to teach these instruments, and thus ensure a supply of instrumentalists. It would be his purpose, while in England, to endeavour to induge oboe, bassoon, and harp players, preferably members of army bands, to agree to come out to Wellington and become teachers. Of course, permanent employment would have to be found for such men. He had in mind for the first concert of the orchestra next year a Mendelssohn first half, with a miscellaneous second half of the programme. While in England he would endeavour to obtain works new to the Dominion, such as the Fifth Symphony of Tschaikowsky and the D- Minor Symphony ,of Cesar Franck. Mr. Palliser said that there was a bright future before orchestral music in this country. Mr. Douglas Taylor was doing invaluable work in encouraging the formation of orchestras in the schools. The Napier High School during Mr. Armour’s time had had a very fine orchestra, and Mr. Armour was very anxious to create an orchestra at Wellington College. Not Paid Enough.. Mr. de Mauny said that the biggest drawback in this country was that professional players were not paid enough to ensure their attendance at rehearsals. A show could not be put on with one rehearsal. However, this was now being rectified. The Wellington Symphony Orchestra this year had paid out 180 guineas to professional players, very nearly as much as would be paid by the London Symphony Orchestra. The smallest number who had attended a rehearsal for the last concert was 55. Mr. de Mauny will leave for England by the Ulimaroa to-day, and hopes to be back in Wellington by the middle of March next.