The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1924. MUSIC AND THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 August 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1924. MUSIC AND THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE.

i(vr-r«a ef*«r? oj a o'clock m Hawem Mauaia Okaiawa, El than), t'awi-.t Waverley, Slokoia. Wtakamara, Ouanga., Merernere. Fraser Road. and Otakeue Manutahi, Alton, Burleyville, Mangatoki, Kaponga. Awatuna, Opunake,

An old proverb says that music will not cure toothache. Though it is no charm working magic upon bodily ills, it can be isaid with truth that music has remarkable powers upon many who hear it. One has heard soldiers say that long route marches are made comparatively easy if they are accompanied by bright music, and everyone knows that people who are laid aside by sickness, as a rule, appreciate very greatly the soothing effects of music. Beethoven’s statement that “music is tire mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life” is echoed in Bulwer Lytton’s “music, once admitted into the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies,’’ and again in Carlyle’s “music ig a kind of inarticulate unfathomable speech, which leads us to the edge of the infinite, and lets us for moments gaze into that.” One could quote the statements of many great writers and thinkers of the value of mueic to human beings, and one would like to see a greater number of people take up the study of this fascinating but difficult art, for to the humblest student who approaches music in the right spirit are awaiting gifts more precious than gold and jewels. One cannot study music without noticing that in its construction very important rules have to be observed, that a strict sense of order and rhythm is present ; further, that music is uplifting and has an ennobling influence. Music raises one to a higher level and takes one from the commonplace things of life to another atmosphere in which deeper and purer thought is possible. Unfortunately many people give a great portion of their lives almost exclusively to materialism, and far too little to those things which should be regarded as most important in human progress. In the United States during recent years great efforts have been made to encourage the children to take an interest in music, and reports indicate that the campaign is proving very successful. Many of the world’ B greatest artists have, made their homes in the United States, and there is no doubt that the Tt&public is making great progress in cultivating the artistic sense of the nation, and the old jibe that the United States is the land of the “almighty dollar,” which may have been true once, is not correct nowadays. A splendid example is being set by the United States, and it is to be hoped that it will be followed in other countries. Tn New Zealand musical societies are doing their part well, and by the efforts neonle are being encouraged to take a keen interest in the art. Competitions rwe held in a number of places; annually, and through them we be-! lie ve n higher standard is being reached. Next week the PI aver a Male Choir will conduct its eompeti-t>'-nis and an excellent number of entries have been received, a total of about 150 competitors signifying their

intention to be present. The competitions are for students of music, and elocution, and should prove very interesting to those who compete and to the audiences. The Male Choir instituted the competitions in order to foster among the young especially a keen interest in the fine arts, and the society deserves generous support in its endeavour. The prize list ha« been well supported by Hawera people, and we hope that the audiences will be large and will appreciate the efforts of the competitors. If the competitions prove successful the Male Choir will be enabled to go on with them, and so do valuable work in encouraging the people of this district to take a greater interest in the beautiful art.