SUCCESSFUL VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 25634, 7 November 1945, Page 4

SUCCESSFUL VISIT

COLLEGE ORCHESTRA IN CHRISTCHURCH The visit to Christchurch last weekend of the King Edward Technical College Symphony ■ Orchestra was extremely successful, and the new combination was highly praised in the Cathedral City. The visit was arranged by the Christchurch Music Festival Committee, which is a most live organisation, doiqg a great deal of valuable work ia the interests of music. The orchestra gave two concerts to large audiences and its performances evoked considerable enthusiasm. • , "* v

I Mr Ernest Empson, the noted English musician, who recently acted as instrumental judge at the Dunedin Competitions, ; writing in. the ' Christchurch Star-Sun.' stated!: —" On hearing this orchestra, under the stimulating beat of Mr Frank Callaway, - break into Elgar's ' Pomp and. Circumstance,' No. 4, with such precision and vigour, and with such appreciation of its fine singing second theme, it was difficult to realise that it had emanated from a technical school, and was performing as part of the school's curriculum. When one hears that this orchestra is but a section of the school scheme embracing 400 players, one feels a stirring of envy that this evidence of a vigorously active music growth should be denied this city. The scheme owes its success to its founder, Dr "Vernon Griffths, who has shown himself to be a man of vision, with a marvellous power of realising his dreams." The concert was as inspiring as the storv of the growth of this movement in the school," stated the 'Press.' " Christchurch was given proof that young musicians, adequately trained and fired with -enthusiasm for their music-making, can be welded into an orchestral team that will stand comparison with the most experienced combinations—for the playing, at least, of a large part of the orchestral repertoire. It . would be unreasonable, obviously, to expect youngsters to meet i the physical demands and technical virtuosity required in the playing of major orchestral works, yet the orchestra played through a programme that ranged from a symphony of J. C. Bach and Sibelius's ' Finlandia ' to j the lighter, but no Jess exacting music; of n Vaughan Williams suite with sureness, confidence, and precision. Under their conductor, Mr Frank Callaway, a dynamic leader, the youngsters have obviously developed a real feeling for the music they play." I