A MUSICIAN ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 99, 21 January 1936, Page 10

A MUSICIAN ABROAD

Return of Mr. Stanley Oliver

Mr. Stanley Oliver, conductor of the Royal Wellington Choral Union, and Wellington Male Voice Choir, with 'Mrs. Oliver, returned from their first visit to Australia during the weekend. Mr. Oliver has relatives in Melbourne whom he has not seen since his boyhood and his chief objective was to see them. They only stayed a day in Sydney, and while in Melbourne for 10 days stayed at Malvern.

While in Melbourne Mr. Oliver was interviewed by the “Argus” on music in Canada and New Zealand, with particular reference to music in the church, on which Mr. Oliver is an authority. Music in Victoria was dominated by. Professor Bernard Heinze (wfio judged the New Zealand-composed songs at the last Wellington competitions), said Mr. Oliver. Professor Heinze is the principal of the University Conservatorium in Melbourne, and Mr. Oliver had a very interesting morning with him discussing new choral works by modem English composers, and ten tative plans were discussed in regard to the possibility of Mr. Oliver paying a visit to Melbourne as guest conductor.

Mr. Oliver also met Mr. John Bishop (formerly of Wellington), who seemed to be getting well established in Melbourne.

On the return trip by the Marama a visit was paid to Milford Sound, the grandeur of which gave all the passengers a real thrill.

Mr. Oliver commented upon the splendid town hall at Dunedin, and Its modern appointments, which included grand pianofortes in both large and small halls. The seating was modern and comfortable, and both halls had a heating system that worked. The comfort provided at Dunedin must be a distinct encouragement to musical appreciation there.