BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 136, 6 December 1932, Page 13

BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY

COMBINED GROUPS MEET

A very happy friendly atmosphere pervaded the first meeting of the combined groups of the British Music Society hold in the Bristol Piano Company's salon last evening.

The British Music Society believes that tlif; musical life of a country cau best be sustained by tlio united "effort of all music lovers, and to this end under its auspices a number of groups havo been formed in Wellington to make music, in the homes of' the members. Although the inauguration of the group system began only four weeks ago, there are already seven groups working enthusiastically, and these groups have eighty members all told. The group family at present consists of piano, song, string, gramophone, choral, musical literature, and chamber music groups, and it was representative members of each of these groups who provided items for the delightful programme heard last night. Already the groups havo had two meetings separately, and havo planned their organisations and programmes for next year. Mr. AY. 11. Page, chairman of the Headquarters Council, welcomed those present and expressed pleasure at the large gathering at the first meeting of the combined groups. He said ho felt that Urn group meetings, single and combined, would be a revitalising force to iimatcur music

Jliss Valeric Corliss (lion, organiser) said Iliis vras a proud moment, for those responsible I'ov the liritish Musk- Society, :is it whs Hie <>rou"niiiK of ;i scries o[ "gionjiis"' effort, begun jour

weeka ago. One of the aims of the groups was to encourage original work, and it was hoped to introduce into the programmes of the groups original compositions. The groups would co-operate with each other and with other centres. It was hoped that Wellington. groups would pay a visit to country centres, at some future date. There were great possibilities from thus co-ordinating musical effort within the society. It was hoped, for instance, that tho string group -would be tho nucleus of a string orchestra for next year. In lighter vein, Miss Corliss referred to tV foundation of a reed pipe group' sucfi as had been formed in the East Grinstead Centre in England. The handicraft of pipemaking and the playing of these beautiful little instruments were new and fascinating pleasures for the amateur music lover, and well within the scope of all who eared to spend a short time daily in acquiring the simple teehuique. A group would be formed in Wellington next year, as already, a number of people had expressed their willingness to join such a group, and a supply of reed pipes had sent fot.

. An original humorous poem on "The Group Family,"- written by Miss Eleanor Pharazen,"was read.and caused much amusement. A delightful programme of music was then given by Miss Prudence Lewis, the Waiata Quartet;. Mr. L. Dukes, Miss Ella Fair, Miss Dorothy la Roche, Miss Molly Atkinson, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Tombs, Miss G. Sealey, Mrs. Sewelj," Mr... Weston,. Mr. Boy Hill, .Miss C. Monerieff, and Miss Grix.. .

- Supper concluded a very pleasant and interesting evening. ..-...•