BANNED FROM 4YA.

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 4

BANNED FROM 4YA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Letters have appeared in your paper under the nonis do plume of “Listener,” “Solo Oboe,” etc., condemning the Otago Regimental Band’s performances. In the first filace it will bo observed that those who have written in support of the band have said nothing detrimental with regard to the work of other musical organisations in the city. There is room for us all, and all should be encouraged. Your article ‘ Banned From 4YA,’ was simply asking for justice. No competent musician would write as ‘ Solo Oboe ’ and his confederates have written, and their letters will be judged accordingly. The majority of people will agree that if those wdio have written, condemning the band’s work, have not the common decency to state their qualifications and sign their names, they should refrain from writing.—l am, etc., L. 0. Astex. June 29. TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —Much ink has been spilt lately over the fact that the Broadcasting Service has, in its wisdom, decided that one of our local bands has not yet reached a sufficiently high standard to satisfy listeners-in, the vast majority of whom applaud the decision. Some of the supporters of the band blame the station technicians for the poor broadcast by the band, and here is one point that I wish to stress. Some time ago an expert in placing a band to the best advantage round a microphone proffered some valuable advice in this respect to the conductor of the band concerned, but such advice was not acted upon. I was given this piece of information by a member of the band. I have no doubt that the band will improve to the extent of justifying appearances before the microphone, but at present the vast majority of listeners-in will say, Not Yet. June 29.

[Lieutenant Asten states that the advice given on the occasion referred to was followed, but on two other occasions there was nobody to advise.— Ed. E.S.],