ANOTHER HAWERA PIANIST

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1924, Page 8

ANOTHER HAWERA PIANIST

MISS MAIDA HOOKER.

The township of Hawera has earned distinction, for some very fine musicians it has produced: ,';This' \Veek"it will welcome back another young lady who lias achieved success in London—Miss Maida Hooker, w.ho has been, studying the pianoforte for the past three years under Mr., Arthur Alexander at the Royal College of Music. At the end of her first year she gained an Associateship o[ the college, and a month before; her departure by the Athenic to return to the .Dominion she gave a successful reld.al at Leighton House, at which Sir James Allen and other prominent people were present. On another occasion she acquitted herself' with distinction in a performance of Saint-Saens's G Minor Concerto with the College Orchestra, under Doctor Adrian Boult. While in London she had several lessons under Tobias Matthay. Miss Hooker made her earlier studies at the pianoforte under. Miss Riley, of Hawera. Mrs. Mangos, of Timaru, and Mr. Frank Hutchings, late of Hawera, at the N.S.W. Conserva'torium.

Miss Hooker remarked this morning, on her arrival by the Athenic, upon the success of colonials who are studying in England. There was no doubt, she said, that New Zealand was sendinoHome some very promising talent, which compared more than favourably with thai which was coming to light in England. The chief characteristic of colonial students was their freshness and vitality. Among the New Zealanders who were doing well in England were JMiss.Stella Murray, the contralto, who was doing excellently at her recitals; Mr.. Walter Fennell, baritone, of Hawera, who had won distinction in examinations; and Miss Esther Fisher, of Wellington, who had been studying under William Murdoch, and gave a successful recital last year.

Miss Hooker will give a recital in Hawera shortly.