AFTERNOON PARTY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 68, 13 December 1932, Page 4

AFTERNOON PARTY

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Jenner Farewelled ; t; MUSICAL GATHERING Yesterday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Jenner were the guests of the councils of the Music Teachers’ Association (Wellington branch) and the British Music Society (N.Z. section), at a farewell party in the Jacobean tea-room of Kirkcaldie and Stains. The party was a delightfully informal one. Mr and Mrs. Jenner, who are about to leave for Christchurch, where Mr. Jenner has accepted a position similar to the one he had in Wellington, received the good wishes of their many friends. . , , .... The guests were received by Mr. Temple White, Miss May Putnam, Miss Valerie Corliss, and Mr. W. M. Page. Miss Putnam was wearing a smart frock of navy blue floral mariette with large blue straw hat, and blue and beige fur-trimmed coat Miss Corliss was in a patterned crepe-de-chine frock in soft blue, pink and biscuit colour with shiny , brown straw hat and beige fur-trimmed coat.. Mrs. Jenner wore a navy blue rnarpcain frock with dark red straw hat. : Mrs. Temple White had on a navy blue ensemble with large picture hat. The room was gay with shaded sweet peas and a delicious tea was served on individual tables. Miss. Ava Symons (violin), Mr. Jenner (piano) and Mr. George Ellwood (’cello) played brilliantly the magnificent Brahms Trio In E Major. Miss Hilda Chudley delighted everyone with her singing of “All Night Under the Moon” (Edgar Bainton) and “Wind of the Western Sea” (Graham Peel). Miss Ormi Reid accompanied Miss Chudley. Mr. Temple White expressed great regret at Mr. Jenner’s departure. Wellington would lose very heavily, he said, but Christchurch would be the gainer.” He spoke of Mr. Jenner’s gifts as an artist, of his great readiness at all times to lend a friendly hand to fellow artists, and of his willingness always to assist ally worthy cause. His unassuming manner and modest demeanour, in addition to his gifts, had made him very many sincere friends iu Wellington who would greatly miss him. ' The number of representatives of the various musical societies present was indicative of the high esteem in which the musical section of the people held him. Miss Corliss, vice-president of the Music Teachers’ Association and honorary organiser of the British Music Society, said she found it difficult to speak with proper restraint of the loss music in Wellington would sustain by Mr. Jenner’s departure. All knew the quality of his work, Its manifold beauty, and spiritual emotion, which gave to his listeners something for the intellect and the heart. Referring to a speech of Mr. .Hugh Walpole’s recently delivered in England,' who spoke of the essentials necessary to succeed, Miss Corliss quoted “equipment, zest, taste, and personality;”. She felt their guest combined all of these. Mr. White apologised for the absence of Mr. Robert Parker, and called on Mr. Jenner to speak. Work Among Students. ‘7 hardly know how. to express my appreciation of your kindness in meeting me In this way on the eve of my departure for Christchurch," Mr. Jenner said. “I feel I have only done what a performing musician should do for the community among whom ho Ilves, and that is to do my share when requested, with any and all of my fellbwuTuslcians who desire to spread knowledge of this beautiful art of music. They do the same whenever I have asked them. “My work among the Wellington musicians has been' most pleasurable, and it has been the means of making for me many intimate friendships which I value very highly, and which, though I go to Christchurch, I know will not be broken. “Though my pianoforte playing has brought me before the musicians and general public of Wellington, this is by no means the most important part of my work. It is my work among the students at . the Training . College that comes first in importance, aiid It is to that same work that I go on to Christchurch. The students are the. future teachers of this country, and though they are not music specialists it is their work in the schools which will Jay a foundation of knowledge, love, and appreciation of music in the rising generations. Hence it is of the greatest importance that they do this work well. My aim at the Training College has been not only to teach the students music, but to supply them with a method by which even the least musical can. be trusted to do useful work in the schools where they gel; placed. “Referring once more to musical performance in public, I would like,” Mr. Jenner said, “to express what I consider the ideal attitude to this work. I feel that the art of the performer Is a responsible one. Among, musicians It is undoubtedly the creative mind of the great composer which ranks highest. But between this creative work and the listener is needed a translator, an interpreter, a performer. The performer’s art is to express, not his own technical dexterity, but the meaning of the composer’s music, as honestly as .he cap, through his own mind and feelings. And in this endeavour lies the formula for friendships among performing musicians, to feel it Is the composer that matters most, not they themselves. This thought, that it is the music that matters, will allow no time for jealousies, and will bind performing musicians into a fellowship of interpreters'of that great music which they all love.” Practically every musical society in Wellington was represented, and among those present were: Mrs. George Ellwood, Mr. Cacbemaillc, Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.. Lady Buckleton, Mrs. T. B. Strong, Mrs. Gordon Short, Miss Protise. Mrs. D. Peacock, Mrs. 81. Coleridge. Miss Nicholls, Miss Kennedy, Mrs. C. Earle, Mrs. Longmore. Madame de Mauny, Mr. John Bishop, Mrs, Bath, Mrs. Plimmer, Miss Pllmmer, Mrs, Wallis, Mr. Trevethick, Miss Gertrude Johnson, Mrs. Maslin, Miss Joan Maunder, Miss Therle Oswln, Mrs. .Collins, Miss Helen Inglis, Sir. Brady, Mr. L. Erwin, Mr. O. Tanner. Solve your Xmas Gift problems st Lauchjan’s, Ltd., 07 Courtenay Place, aud 7 Woodward Street.—Advt. "Output” ten million tins “CO” Waxshine .Lino Polish.—-Adri-