A Musical Movement

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 189, 8 May 1931, Page 11

A Musical Movement

gj r —There are numbers of young people who have left school and are now engaged in business who with proper training would become useful members of choral societies, church choirs, etc. Many of these young people are unable to arrange for private lessons in singing, but having an “ear for music,” and a natural inclination to sing, and perhaps, a slight knowledge of music, join up with a choir or choral society. For obvious reasons it is impossible for the conductors of these associations in many cases to give individual attention to these, recruits, and frequently they develop habits which will prevent them from ever becoming good singers, and in some cases do actual iniurv to their voices and general health. On the other hand if they have learnt to control their voices and to read simple music at sight, they will not only become useful members of such orgamsafcons. but derive much good and pleasure from the pastime. One has only to glance at the members of the existing choirs to realise that young people are not Joining up in large numbers, and one shudders to think what would happen if all the grey-heads and bald-heads dropped out. I am endeavouring to form a society which will enable these young people to receive training in voice-production, sightsinging, etc., in classes at an almost nominal fee. I am willing to give my services and my experience—which is considerable—both as a teacher of singing and also choir training, to such a cause for a definite period, which I think would show good results. I have spoken to several gentlemen interested in the matter. and they are agreed that such a “school” would do good. Messrs. H. Nimmo and Company, always ready to help the cause of music, have offered the use of their concert hall free of cllaree ’ in which to hold a meeting to discuss the project, and appoint officers, etc., as .of. course I cannot do the work singlehanded. If you would let this be known through the pages of your valuable paper you would be helping considerably. The date, an early one, of the meeting, willbe shortly announced, and any ladies and gentlemen interested in the matter will be ■«>«"’ “'aMS-VTUBNfe. Wellington. April 30.