MUSIC IN WELLINGTON. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 116, 13 November 1900, Page 2

MUSIC IN WELLINGTON. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir — An observer is impressed, after a year's sojourn in Wellington with the very great apathy evinced by the public generally and those in, authority (to whom primarily- is due the former's characteristic) in the propagation of theSmusical art in our midst. That Wellington is wofully deficient in choral societies and kindred Institutions for the education of both masses and participants may be judged when comparison, is made with other cities in thfe colony and 'Australia. It is true 'we are in possession of as compact and efiiciemt a musical- body in the Wellington Orchestral Society as could be found anywhere; that a new Liedertafel has come into existence giving promise of good work, and that several other institutions glimmer at long intervals'; but let us bear in mind that the members of such societies represent a very low percentage of those who have the latent ability but lack the inclination to swell the ' respective rolls. We must consequently ask ourselves the reason of this, and without s-eekhig afar we may safely conclude that the onus of deficiency rests upon the individuals who are ceded, by virtue J of , place-, the responsibility of creating good material out of crude, and of instilling, by their personality and preceptorship, a keen desire for a higher musical culture among the masses. The question naturally arises, how are we to establish choral bodies proportionate to 1 a- musical! population and efficient to a degree when ihe great latent of our young people-, thf> very core of future possibilities, is allowed to pursue its own aimless way? We have only to attend a church service in Wellington whore a surpliced choir is engaged to notice fin imposing aa-ray of boys, ostensibly soprano choristers, but who really do little else than look pious— and very often not that — or help to complete the spectacle. What training do they receive? or, rather, have they ever been instructed in the very rudiments of singing or induced to take the required interest in the work? The assumption, of course, is that being theije they do sing, but the actuality is the reverse. It is quite patent' that the prestige of

our choirs, which lay the foundation for singers of all diejg>ees, is dependent on the subdued efforts of the boys and the unswerving work of two or three ladies. Under these conditions, how are we to draw on basses and tenors — not to mention male altos — for future requirements who will be sight readers and capable of producting tone? There should be relays coming on incessantly, as it is useless to rely on voices long past prime if the quality of the performance is to be at all considered. Another matter affecting our .musical progress is the> entire absence of competitions on the lines of the jeisteddfod. It is beyond all question that they engender a healthy rivalry junpngst aniateurs, and thus promote iau enthusiasm upon which the existence of the cause is based, a desideratum in fact we should all strive for with example from the proper source' for its consummation. Let our young people be afforded every opportunity in choir, class, or home to follow up any one of the numerous branches of music they Are most partial to, not merely as porb of the curriculum of the school, and as si];ch to be thought lightly of when vacation or final suspension of studies are at Jiand, but to the end that they must eventutidlly find it a never-failing medium of pleasure and profit. I .trust, Mr. Editor, these scanty remarks on a subject which, requires an abler pen than mine to enlo<rge upon will be given publicity in your influential columns, and that the gist thereof will be granted due consideration, — I am, etc, P.J.G.P. Wellington, 12th November, 1900.