EXAMINATIONS IN MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 6 January 1930, Page 4

EXAMINATIONS IN MUSIC

DOMINION SYSTEM URGED. MR. ALFRED HILL’S PROPOSAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. Mr- Alfred Hill, the well-known musician, strongly urges that the system of having musical examinations conducted by English commercial institutions should be stopped. He points out that this drains some thousands of pounds every year from New Zealand which could better be retained here. Australia conducts its own examinations under an organisation backed by the universities and conservatoriums, and though some English examiners still visit the Commonwealth they admit it would not be worth while* without New Zealand visits also.

Mr. Hill considers that New Zealand has plenty of able musicians well 'dtted to conduct the examinations, but ne says that on being put to the New Zealand University the proposal was turned down without any deep consideration. He has a scheme by which money now paid to English examiners would cover all expense and leave something to establish a symphony orcli'Cstrsi. Sydney people are keen to help and would send two good men to put the ischeme on its legs. Last year 8000 were examined in Australia.