DR. EDGAR BAINTON

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 95, 16 January 1936, Page 5

DR. EDGAR BAINTON

N.S.W. Conservatorium of Music Director VISITING NEW ZEALAND Dr. Edgar Baiuton, director of the N.S.W. Conservatoi'iuni of Music, who is nt present in Hie South Islam], is to deliver a series of lectures at the universities of New Zealand on musical subjects. These "ill take the form of summer classes for music teachers, and have been arranged by the New Zealand Music Teachers’ Association. Dr. Baiuton is by no means unknown in New Zealand as a distinguished musician and conductor. For many years lie was the acknowledged leader of music in Newcastle-on-Tyne in England. He had the misfortune to be in Germany when .war broke out in 1914. and was held as a civil prisoner at Ruhlebeu camp (Hie Berlin racecourse) for the term of the war. This was by no means a period of inactivity. Music in all its phases from vaudeville to opera and symphony concerts occupied the attention of the hundreds of musicians who were interned. Concerts were given every week, and even performances of some of the GilbertSullivan operas were given. Dr. Baiuton was asked to apply for the position of director of the N.S.W. C'onsel'vatorium, when it was being initiated twenty-one years ago, but decided that it was then too much of a sacrifice to tear up the roots of his work in England. Matters musical were not, economically, so good three years ago, when the position became vacant on the resignation of Mr. Arundel Orchard, and the high reputation of Dr. Bainton was remembered when the appointment of a new director was decided.

Sydney has been well satisfied with the choice made by the Government, and Dr. Bainton is happy in his work at the conservatorium.