ADVICE TO PARENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1939, Page 14

ADVICE TO PARENTS

EXAMINER'S ADDRESS \

MUSIC TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION

At the Pioneer Club on Saturday night, Dr. J. F. Staten, who is at present conducting examinations in New Zealand on behalf of the associated board, addressed a large number of members of the Music Teachers' Association, parents, and candidates, saying that the primary objects of his remarks was to give them the benefit of his experience as an examiner and adjudicator. Addressing himself more particularly to the parents, Dr. Staten begged them to encourage their children to play slow pieces rather than fast ones. "Today children are remarkably clever with their fingers," he said. "In that respect Canadian children are perhaps cleverer than any others, but facility in the employment of the fingers *■ is very often obtained at the expense of musical feeling. ) Parents like their children to play a fast piece to visitors, but often overlook the fact that a slow piece is '. harder to play .than .a quick one." , , . . .

Speaking of jazz, Dr. Statensaid that he had no objection to it —in fact, he often wished that some of the can-

didates for diplomas had some of the intensity of the jazz rhythm. He then proceeded to give his audience an insight into the work of an examiner and causqd much merriment by his vivid demonstration of some of the faults committed by the average candidate.

The president, Mr. Stanley Oliver, thanked Dr. Staten very warmly for his very instructive and entertaining address. He pointed out that in addition to being conductor of the Sheffield Choir, Dr. Staten was "auditioner*' (if there was such a word) of choirs for the British Broadcasting Corporation and New Zealand w,is; very fortunate to have a visit from a musician of his calibre.

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