MUSIC CERTIFICATES

Evening Star, Issue 12167, 11 April 1904, Page 3

MUSIC CERTIFICATES

The annual distribution of certificates and nedals to the successful candidates at the last local examinations conducted under the auspices of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music took place at the Victoria Hall, Crawford street, on Saturday afternoon, when there was a very large gather, ing of pupils, with their friends and relatives. Successful candidates, wearing white dresses with red sashes, occupied the front seat.

Dr F. Ogston, hon. local representative, presided. Canon Mayne, in the course of has remarks, observed that he would like to see a law enforced in this country that every child from north to south should be taught either vocal or instrumental music, and the result, he believed, would be that people would be not only more cultured, but there would be more friendliness and more love in the world, and there would be more love for Nature and for Nature’s God. What was the most musical sound in tho world? Ho believed he was correct in saying that those who taught singing would' say the nrost beautiful sound was that of the human voice, while instrumental teachers would say the most beautiful sound could be got from the violin or some other instrument. Music, at any rate, was the giving forth of a beautiful sound, and in order that there might he beautiful sound it was essential that there should be the necessary quality of timbre, tunefulness, and proper time. A certain charm or gracefulness was also very desirable, and something else that was wanted was soul, which many musicians lacked. If they were singers lus advice to them was to be audible. Let each won! hive its clear and distinct enunciation. If not they might be speaking to the hearts of an audience, but not to the heads. True singing would appeal to the listeners he;id and heart. He congratulated those- who had taken certificates and medals upon their success, and to tlie others he said rf they could only be a joy to their parents and friends, and gave pleasure to them with IL-eir marie, the time they gave to the subject would he well spent.—(Applause). An enjoyable musical programme was then gone through, the following items being contributed:—Pianoforte duet, ‘Rondo’ (Chopin), Miss Audrey Stock and Miss M. Milne ; songs. ‘The star’ (M. Birkett Foster) and ‘Valentine’s Day’ (Madame Lehmann), Miss G. Helen Gard’ner (accompanist. Mbs Ira Gow, A.T.C.L.); pianoforte solo, ‘Polonaise in A’ (Chopin), Miss Catherine Clapperton ; pianoforte solo, ‘Scherzo in B liat minor’ (Chopin), Miss Brenda Stock ; pianoforte solo, ‘ Pastorale and Cappricio’ (Scarlatti-Tausig), Miss A. K. Shand ; song. ‘ Prince Ivan’s song ’ (Allitsen), Mr H. K. W. Black (accompanist, Mr Buckley); and pianoforte solo, ‘ L’Automne’ (Chaminade). Miss Mabel C. Wright. Mr Maitland Gard’ner acted* as musical director.

Dr Ogrton. in distributing the certificates, asked the young ladies to remember that the education they -were now receiving and the prizes they were about to take away were not to be the end of their music. Their parents were giving them a training, and their teachers were assisting in superintending the training, in order that they might do better in the future—in order that those of them who were capable might have something to occupy not only their leisure moments, but that they might have the opportunity of carrying a pleasure throughout their lives. He would like to see the present-day training go a little further. Societies, he thought, should take up the old practice of concerted music. In olden times it was found in every village that the horrors of drinking were modified to a great extent by the gathering together of a few people who could take a place in partsinging or in instrumental music. The practice ought to be followed by more- than it was at present, and then, instead of meeting of an evening for gossip or dance, there would be music, concerted or instrumental or solo-dinging. This would allow young people of similar tastes to form friendships, and it would be a more profitable way of passing time—more in accordance with* the habits of our ancestors—than in mere talk or cards. It would be more agreeable, also, to the young men, who really had nothing to do but devote themselves to athletics’ which bulked too largely in this country, while the habits of gambling, which were much too prominent, would take a rear place. Bad humor and depression were often banished by music—simple music that any one of those before him was well able to play ; therefore they should not be discouraged if they did not take first place—they should take what they could get and make the best of it. The list of successful candidates has already been published. Votes of thanks to the performers and ;he Rev. Canon Mayne and Dr Ogston terminated the proceedings.