LIFE OIF MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 127, 2 June 1927, Page 6

LIFE OIF MUSIC

DR. BRADSHAW HONOURED (By Telegraph.) (Special to "Thai Evening Post.") CHRISTCHiURCH, Ist June. Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, who has completed twenty-five years of service as organist and choirmaster at tho Christchureh Cathedral,--was entertained by members of the' Cathedral Chapter, at a complimentary dinner last evening. Tho Bishop (Dr. West-Watson) presided over an attendance of over a hundred, which included many former choir boys. Dr. Bridshaw's jubilee coincided with the copipletion of the new organ, said the Biishop. This work had been carried thiiough mainly by the vigour of Dr. Bradsh,aw and Archbishop Julius. On behalf; of the chapter the president asked their guest to accept a cheque, to be.' spent in providing two comfortable armchairs. In proposing the, health of their guest, Archbishop Jjilius said that the choir boys had always loved their master, who had absorbed the very soul of music and had carried tho Cathdral service on to an ever higher Spiritual plane. It was a fajir wind which had brought the guest and his family to these shores twenty-five years ago. Since that time he had teen, an invaluable asset to the diocese. He was thorough in all his \rays. "The most bewitching thing about Dr. Bradshaw's conducting is the motion of his hands,'" said the Dean. "They aro wonderful hands, which express the whole soul '.of the man. He lives in his music, ami has no thought for_ those little showy characteristics' which denote conceit in a musician. As a genius taking infinite • pains, he has done great service ft.r music in NewZealand." : • | A lay member of the chapter, Dr \V Irving, spoke in a li^ht strain of the experience of choir boys. One position which Dr. Bradsliaw did not hold in the city, he said, wsis that of Professor of Music of Canterbury College. The speaker believed' that the college authorities would like to see a Chair of Music instituted, butj there was mo money with which to eindow it. Dr. Chilton said thaft Canterbury College was to some extent responsible, for Dr. Bradshaw's comimg to New Sealand, for thero beetn an arraragement between the college and the Cathedral for offering an inducement suihciont to ensure hfa coming. On behalf of the students of the college 'the speaker congratulated him' upon his jubileo. Efforts had tcei. made several timos to establish a Chyjr of Music at the college, «ud it wjmained only for some generoua donor to provide the wherewithal, i In reply Dr. Bradshaw thanked all for their kindnoas. He had begun his career as an organist and choirmaster when fifteen years of age, and when he and his wife had con»o to New Zealand they had no thoughts of making their permanent hon»e. Circumstances had changed theiy view. Much of the speaker's success had been due to his wife, and both ware deeply apprcciativo of the honour conferred upon them on their anniversary.