BRITISH MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 20322, 2 November 1929, Page 22

BRITISH MUSIC

MISSION OF GLEE SINGERS Mr Scotfc Colville, the well-known theatrical manager, is at present in Dunedin making arrangements for the appearance hero of the Westminster Glee Singers on Tuesday, a company which is under the management of Mr Edward Branscombe. In the course of an interview ,Mr Colville had some interesting information to give concerning the work and personnel of the company. “It is six years since Mr Branscombe brought his Westminster Glee Singers to New Zealand,” ho said, “and the present visit, 1 regret to say, will certainly bo the last. The cathedral authorities in England are very much against tho boys leaving England lor lengthy periods, as the voices are only at their best for approximately four years. A tour such as the one they are on now will extend over two and a-half years, so it is obvious that so far as the cathedrals at Home _ arc concerned tho best period of six picked voices is lost to them, L , , , i “ This tour must not be looked upon in any way as a commercial enterprise. It is really a form of propaganda, originated in England, where there is a movement afoot to replace British music on the pedestal it once occupied throughout the British Empire. I regret that, in the past, concert programmes have been almost entirely composed of the music of foreign countries. There is a feeling existing today in'England that indicates a leaning towards the songs of our forefathers. The, success of this movement can bo judged when I mention that the Westminster Glee Singers went to Canada for a four and a-half months’ tour, which ivas extended to eighteen months. Over one hundred and fifty cities wore visited, and more than four hundred concerts were given. When I tell you that these concerts were given in the largest halls, and that they were presented to capacity business, you will realise the success of British mufeic as sung by these men and boys. “ Some people may regard tho Westminster Glee Singers as merely a church organisation, but that is not correct. They certainly do include, by request, one or two saorecl numbers, in each programme, but the programmes are of a most diversified nature. For instance, we feature the old sailor sea sianties, which have never been done in this country before, and which I am very pleased to say are meeting with enormous, success. Six boys and six of the men are all representatives of English cathedrals and colleges, including .Westminster Abbey. St. Paul’s, Canterbury, Windsor, Gloucester, and the Chapel Boyal. “It will also* be of Interest to note that we have two New Zealanders, one of whom is Mr Ernest M'Kinlay. who joined the company ip Canada, Ho is a noted .New Zealand tenor, and is featuring a series of Maori songs. Mr Albert G. Greene is«also a New Zealander who has made a wonderful success both in England and America on the concert platform and in opera._ He also joined us in Canada, and it islie who specialises in sailors* sea shanties.