A DISTINGUISHED MUSICIAN.

Evening Star, Issue 9832, 22 October 1895, Page 2

A DISTINGUISHED MUSICIAN.

> MB M. B> FOSTER Iff DtfflHDlN* Mr Mylos Birfcet Foster, the eldest son,of tile, celeorfttw painter} lias come'to thesesWhlektti', hold elementary practiftal examinations Up. musio on behalf of Trinity College), Londop, the first institution to hold local examinations in that art in the United Kingdom. The College originated the idea. Commencing in 1872,' without any Government' or other assistance, the College has steadily advanced until.it has. during the last ytfcr, examined in the Ola Country as many as 14,000 candidates. Other bodies, such as the Boyal Academy Of Music, j London, followed suit, and now the gre»t in-, ie'rest created in England has reached the colonies, and a large number of candidates have already entered for the excellent muueal tests. Tho objects of the examinations are twofold —to call the attention of children to the best class of musio, and, by starting even with the school children, to nip bad teaohing in the bud. Mr Fo ter finds there is a spirit of righteous indignation abroad against inefficient teaohing, and the College therefore findß its aims upheld very strpngly everywhere. k , Mr Fester is the fiwt English examiner it, mußio to visit New Zealand, and he ako goes to Tasmania and Australia. His eiparience in this work extends over a period of twenty years, and his qualifications are many. He received his education at the Royal Academy of Musio under such well-known masters as Sir Arthur Sullivan, Dr Frout, and many others, and is a licentiate of his College, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. In his prominent position as an English musician he is connected with all the learned societies attached to music, and as a composer is known all over the world for his Bacred writings and his works for young people. Mr Foster will be engaged for three days in Dunedin in conducting examinations. He commenced his task this morning at ten o'clock in tho Town Hall. There are forty-four pupils entered for the examination, and before leaving town ho will also examine seventeen pupils in the Dominican Convent. The examiner wishes to let people know that the certificates given in these elementary examinations are pupils' l certificates, and in no way certify the power to teach. It has come to his knowledge that sctme certificates have been improperly so used, and: therefore he desires to correct the wrong idea that has gone out. The Dunedin Liedertafel have sent to Mr Foster a hearty wolcome to these shores.