MUSIC WEEK

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 159, 2 April 1937, Page 8

MUSIC WEEK

Adoption in New Zealand Advocated AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE An enthusiast for music-making by the people themselves, as opposed to mere listening to the performances ot others, Mr. It. Harold Court, of Sydney, who arrived in Wellington from the south yesterday, believes that much more can be done to inculcate a love of music, especially in the younger generation, than is being done at present. x , "What I would like to see you take up in New Zealand is a music week, such as we have had in New South Wales for the past eight years.” he said. "This week-is held at the same time in every town and city, and the result has been most satisfactory. We have had the hearty co-operation of the leading people everywhere. The church choirs have come into line, and as the result many barriers as between religions have been broken down through the influence of music. Not only that, but latent talent has been discovered and encouraged, and many have been given a new angle on life through its beneficent appeal. As I said, we have had our State-wide musical week for the past eight years. Our honorary organiser last year was Signora Ferrari Pasmore, a musician herself and an enthusiast.

“I am sure that something of the kind could be done here, and am seeing some Wellington people to persuade them to set up some kind of organisation. I have spoken in Auckland, Hastings, Wanganui, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill on this subject, and have been encouraged everywhere. “Music week does not stop at the end of the week. Its lesson goes on. For example, the teaching of music in Ihe primary schools of Victoria and •Tasmania is now compulsory, and it is on the way in the other States of the Commonwealth. It is taught in the high schools of New South Wales —not mere tunes, but the fundamental principles of music and harmony.” While radio made people music conscious and did open minds to an appreciation of finished artistry, he added, no one wanted the future generation to become merely an army of idle listeners to someone else’s music. The idea was to make the young people participants and encourage them to perfect themselves either as singers or performers on musical instruments. Music week provided a medium for such self-expression, which otherwise might never get a chance.