BANNED FROM 4YA.

Evening Star, Issue 22686, 28 June 1937, Page 11

BANNED FROM 4YA.

TO THE EDITOE. Slf/—“"No Bias'” says that" he lias travelled the world over and is of the opinion that the performances of the Otago Regimental Band compare favourably with, military bands _in other countries. He does not mention, however,. the countries in which he heard or saw military bands, and 1 wonder does he know what instruments are . required to make up or complete a first-class military band. The band in question is not a military one, but just an ordinary brass band with the addition of a saxophone and a few clarinets. Also Inm fairly sure that there are not more than one or two qualified musicians in the band, so I am of opinion that that is the reason the band is not required at 4YA. It is very evident that Professor Shelley knows what he is doing and is determined to cast out all the second-hand stuff, and quite right, too. By all means. let us have the best, for we are compelled to pay 25s a year license, whereas in England the amount is only 10s. I have often wondered why this is. However, I hope that those who are at the head of the Broadcasting Service will also ban a lot more nonsense, such as the birthday business, and all the spiders, grubs, and beetles. It must be understood, in respect of band performances, that others will listen in as well as the people of Dunedin.—l am, etc., ,' Twenty-five Bob. June 28.

TO TEE EDITOE. . Sir, —I am afraid that “ Scherzo,” in his desire to be bright and breezy, has, like “ Listener,” somewhat clouded tbo issue. It matters not one whit where the performance of the band concerning which our city musicians express an opinion took place. The point at issue is the “ ipse dixit ” of these so-called “ observers ” that “ the band is _ below standard.” The weight of evidence from responsible local musical observers is that the band has reached a high standard, perhaps more aptly expressed by Dr T. Vernon Griffiths, who states that the standard of the band is ecpial to that of the majority of the military bands in England. 1 do hot set myself up as an authority on matters musical, but a standard “ equal to the majority of the military bands in England ” will do me. Moreover, I base all my contentions on the expressed opinion of men of this city whoso identity is known, as also the value, of their opinions on matters musical. The last opportunity 1 had of listening-in to a performance of the Regimental Band was at a place 150 miles from Dunedin, where the reception of 4YA is decidedly poor, and on that occasion I remember thinking that the time was ripe for the broadcasting service to overhaul its microphone Since then, however, I have learnt that much depends on the technicians in the studio, and with “ Digger No. 2 ” I think the identity of Professor Shelley’s should be divulged, else we shall be in assuming they are merely a lot of nincompoops. Quite possibly “ Old Bandsman ” may be near the mark, or “ Play the Game ” may have hit the nail on the head when he says, “ Perhaps, however, all this is part of Professor Shelley’s great idea of giving the people ‘ what is good for them.’ ” If this should be the case, it is high time that Professor Shelley was advised we have grown a little tired of “ Bb and Zeb,” that one can get enough Yankeeisms from the average picture- show without having this neverending Japanese houseboy spilling them over the air, and that the average listener does not appreciate what “ Digger No. 2 ” refers to as performances of “ broken-down vaudeville artists from abroad and cheap American re-

cords.” Time we had a change, time we had an improvement in the standard of the programmes, and if Professor Shelley cannot effect this then perhaps the Government might give Mr Scrimgeour a chance to take the reins, and the country . would get something for the £1,500 a year.—l am, etc., Digger. June 26. ,

TO THE EDITOE. Sir,-—I have read with some amusement the letters on the above. It must bo heartening to Lieutenant Asten to know he nas such musical friends as Dr Galway, Mr Walmsley, and Mir Vernon Griffiths. As for the background of Lieutenant Asten, it is hot the Royal Marines or the Hussars that are playing over the air; it is the men (or boys might be nearer) that have to play the programme. The personnel of the band Is a young one, and if it played a programme suitable it would get a far tetter hearing instead of trying to scramble through some high-class and also difficult rhapsody or ‘lßl2 ’ with about four clarinets capable. As nobody with a taste for good music listens to 4YA, why not play the Otago Military Band over a B station and let everyone judge for himself, and if the band is, not in tune blame the studio?—l am, etc., June 28. Solo Oboe.