IN LOW WATER

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 83, 7 April 1936, Page 9

IN LOW WATER

OECHESTKA'S FUNDS;

MORE SUPPORT, NEEDED

A determined effort is to be mads by the incoming executive of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra Society to place the funds of that body in such a position that the future of the orchestra is assured. That the alternative to the success of the campaign for funds is oblivion for the orchestra, and an unthinkable loss to the musical life of the city, was made clear at last evening's annual general meeting of the society over which Mr. D. A. Ewen presided. There was an attendance of about twenty members. "The membership of the orchestra (performers and subscribers) has remained practically stationary during the season, and now stands at 226," said the annual report. "There is still urgent need for consolidation of the orchestra, which would be attained by' the enrolment of at least another 200 subscribers. The council has given. consideration to this matter during, the season, and an effort will be made during the coming season to materially; augment the membership. It is pro-; posed to employ an enrolment officer., with a view to bringing the membership up to a point where the finances of the orchestra will be assured." Dealing with finance, the report remarked that the statement,of receipts and payments (which showed a loss of over £119 on the year's worKing) would bring home to members the necessity for using every effort to place the financial affairs of the orchestra in a more satisfactory condition. "It should be borne in mind that the orchestra is admitted to be one of the finest south of the Line, and it would be a tragic loss to the cause of music^ in New Zealand if the orchestra were forced out of existence owing to lack of public support. Proposals for augmenting the finances of the orchestra will be placed before members at an. early date." OPINIONS OF VISITORS. In moving the adoption ot-the report, Mr. Ewen paid tribute to the work of the executive in the face of adverse odds. There had been mucn, to discourage them, for the orchestra had not commanded the crowded houses that its, merits deserved. Tha£ was his opinion, and also that of visitors from overseas. "We have, I am convinced, as large a body of music lovers in Wellington as in any other city of its size and yet the enthusiasm of the conductor and the members of the orchestra has not met with the response they have a right to hope for," Mr. Ewen went on to say. "The causes for this must ba sought for: perhaps the publicity given to our concerts and our programmes has not been sufficient: this is an omission that must, and I know will, «c given careful consideration by the incoming executive council; but publicity costs money and there is a limit to what can be accomplished in this direction. One of our very pressing needs, of course, has always been, and is, more members. May I appeal to all here to assist us in this directionIf only we could obtain 200 more members our income should be sufficient to enable the orchestra to carry on suo cessfully, and, shall I say, with.a,certain amount of confidence. ■"Our centenary is due in 1940. Wellington must have an orchestra, or import one, for the celebrations that will then take place. Here we have an orchestra ready and willing, one that is improving year by year, to serve the city. This orchestra must not be allowed to languish and I appeal to you all to assist us by obtaining new members and by giving th« orchestra all the advertisement you are able to. We are hoping shortly to embark upon a campaign for members and for funds. We hope by this means to place the Wellington Symphony Orchestra upon a firm, foundation such as will enable us to extend and improve the scope and standard of our performances." SUPREME EFFORT URGED. Mrs. Knox Gilmer remarked that she could not understand why the public of Wellington did not respond. It was unthinkable that the orchestra should disband. A supreme effort would have to be made to get more subscribers* and it ought to be possible, she said, to get 500 more. After the report had been adopted, Dr. A. F. Hickey analysed for the benefit of members the balance-sheet which, he remarked, "told its own morbid story." It was the most disastrous year in the society's history, and an unpleasing feature was the fact that only about half the members had paid their subscriptions. It was decided that the incoming executive should be instructed to go carefully into the matter of unflnancial members receiving tickets for concerts. Tribute was paid to the work of Mr. Leon de Mauny, as conductor, to Madame de Mauny, and to Mr. E. Dawson, who hadiworked for the orchestra for so long prior to his departure for Auckland. Tribute was also paid to the ladies' auxiliary and to th£ Press. Officers for the 1936 season- were elected as follows: —Patron, his Excellency the Governor-General, Visct/in^ Galway; vice-patron, Mr. Epberf Parker, C.M.G.; president, Mr. D. At Ewen, M.8.E.; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. M. Page and G. A. Bucklfii; conductor, Mr. Leon de Mauny; hon. secretary, Mr. L. E. Strachan; assistant hon. secretary, Miss Ann Rendle; hon. treasurer, Dr. A. F. Hickey; hon. auditor, Mr. G. J. Stevenson; hon. solicitor, Mr. W. P. Pringle; executive council, Madame Evelyn de Mauny, Mrs. Knox Gilmer, Miss Hilda Miles, Dr. A. C. Keys, Messrs. C. A. Eendle, Stark, T. ■Magill, and Victor Lloyd.