WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 October 1930, Page 15

WORLD OF MUSIC

CHORAL FESTIV AL. The idea of bringing together all the church choirs of the province and, if possible, further afield, for at least one united effort was discussed some years ago and warmly approved by all interested as a means of creating a common spirit of appreciation of the good work done voluntarily by thousands of men and women in the interest of the churches and also of the various communities in which these enthusiastic choristers live. Although the scheme was considered good, nothing much was done until on this coast Mr. Herbert Webb took up the work and two years ago brought it to a successful consummation in the firstchoral festival at St. Mary’s, Hawera. Other choirs joined whole-heartedly and last year a. distinct forward move was made, choirs coming from the various ■ districts from Palmerston North to New Plymouth. The invitation was then given hv the vicar of New Plymouth to assemble at his centre in 1930. Preparations for this have been duly carried into effect and on Monday evening there will be a grand gathering of the choirs on the coast at the old historic church, St. Mary’s, in New Plymouth. It promises to be a most successful choral festival and will hate a setting in one of the oldest churches in the diocese.

MUSIC IN SCHOOLS. Concrete evidence of the growth of a new musical movement amongst the children of the schools was given by tne performance on Tuesday evening oy the Hawera High School orchestra and recently formed military band, .doth did remarkably well and showed in their concert numbers the efficiency of their tutor, Mr. Fox. They played with a line precision and verve and with much expression, and some of the movements, by the crisp attack and release, would have done credit to any adult body of performers. The large gathering of parents and friends were delighted with the work done by their boys and girls.

When it is realised that at the main school there is also a very efficient military band and orchestra, and that they too are at work enthusiastically in t-lie cause of music in schools, it will be realised in some degree that Hawera is maintaining its place in a great movement in which this town may justly claim to have been one of the pioneers. There is a spreading of the work all over the Empire, but the southern hemisphere maintains a leading place. An Australian paper records that one of the most interesting features of the schools’ concert at the Sydney Town Hall during Music Week recently was the playing of the young violinists. These- children, who came from a number of the metropolitan schools, are pupils under the Music Advancement Guild scheme, whereby the children are taught the violin free of all cost so far as the instruction is concerned. The guild provides the teachers and arranges easy terms on which the children can purchase their violins at cost price. The scheme was established a few months ago, and at present two teachers are kept busy. Indeed, so prompt was the success of the scheme that in six weeks. 800 children were enrolled from various schools, and no more could be taken, since the funds of the guild would not permit the employment of any more teachers. It is hoped by the promoters that ultimately the Government will finance the project.

The subject of the attendance of school children of Auckland at organ recitals arranged specially for their benefit was discussed at a meeting of the Education Board some days ago. Alter several members had spoken it was decided -to inform the Head masters's Association that the hoard desired that the children should continue to attend the recitals.

TRINITY COLLEGE EXAMINEE. Dr. Borland, examiner of Trinity College, was most enthusiastic in his appreciation of the good work being done in Hawera and said the standard was steadily -being (raised. In tlie course of a talk to students and teachers he said that ear training could and should be developed in children right from their early years. It had always been, he said, supposed that pitch was a gift given only to a few, but he was convinced that with early training it could be strongly developed and he gave remarkable instances of the effect of training, where ih schools at- Home a very large majority oi the children were made proficient in sense of pitch in music, “Get them young,’’ lie said “and you can do a great deal with them, a revolution in of this aspect music has been made and it is training children also to concentrate oil their work.”

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. The work of the Hawera Orchestral Society has gone steadily along during the year. The members have given cordial help to the Methodist Choir in their performances of the “Creation” and for some time have been assisting the band revue party. They are still working with them and' the committee has decided, in view of that, fact and that the summer is just coming in with its distractions to suspend practices for the time being. They hope that nil members will endeavour to do some private practice so that, when the work is restimed, they will he able to take it- up without, the hindrance that would be caused by a complete suspension of the work of the institution.

NOTES AND NEWS. One of the oldest musical societies in New Zealand, the Nelson Harmonic Society, held its 70th annual meeting last week, when the position of the society was stated to be very satisfactory. Archdeacon Kempthorne was elected president for the ensiii.ug year. At 'its perfoiymance on Thursday evening, the society successfully presented Gade’s bright and tuneful work, “Psyche.”

RECORDED MUSIC. Bacli Organ Prelude. Dr. Albert Schweitzer, in the Bach choral preludes, “My Heart is Longing” and “When in Deepest Need.” Dr. Albert Schweitzer is one of the liicst interesting personalities in the world of contemporary music. He is one of the greatest living authorities on Bach, although he has devoted his life to missionary work among the natives of the remotest African districts. He has few corn-peers as a Bach player. H.M.Y. C 1543.

Military Band Mu sic. The Band of H.M. Coldstream Guards, in “Tannhauiser” march (Wagner), and “Marche atix Flambeaux” (Mjpyerbeer). H.M.Y. C 1743. This fine band has made a vigourous and full-toned record of two great marches. The tremendous richness of their brass tone quality has been recorded with a fidelity that is both amazing and satisfying.