WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 January 1933, Page 13

WORLD OF MUSIC

HAWERA MUNICIPAL BAND

Tl F.HEA RSA LS FOR- CONTEST

1' R Of.'«R AA 1 MRS IN PA R K

Having resolved to enter the lists for the 1934 Dominion. Band Contest, the TTawern Municipal Band will at an early date 'begin rehearsal and a campaign of training for the great event. It is an effort well worth while and a wonderful opportunity for the young players who form, the large majority in the hand. It is certain that never before in the history of the band in Hawera- has there been such a list of young bandsmen. They are all keen to. learn and will respond heartily and conscientiously to the leading of their conductor.

The evening programmes at the Park are very much enjoyed by the people, and large numbers attend every week. These outside performances in the fine, warm evenings infuse a spirit of cheerfulness among the people and enable, them‘.to bear and to appreciate the music of the band and to learn what they have boon doing. The scheme serves to popularise a most useful community institution.

NEWS AND NOTES

Miss Maida Hooker, ojf Auckland, daughter of Air and Mrs 1.. O. Hooker, is to he married on February 2. She was in England for several years, studying music at the Royal Acadjemy, and on her return settled in Auckland, where she has been teaching and performing for several years. She secured an Associated Board scholarship while studying in Hawera, and made her mark in music. She did well in London and was held in high regard by- the professors at the Royal Academy On her return .to New Zealand she settled in Auckland, and made a name as one of the best teachers in that city. She has also taken a. keen interest in the Musical Students’ Association: and in. the movement- to foster original work by New Zealanders.

Air T. E. C'longh, postmaster at Manaia many years ago, who died recently. was greatly interested in instrumental music, and was no mean performer on the violin, even in his late years. His special hobby was ehiufh music, and at the funeral service last Sunday the Rev. Mr AYareing, vicar of St. John’s Church, Te Aw am utii. paid a fine tribute to the old parishioner and those who were associated with him for their assistance in the early days of the church in that historic district.

Recently the choirmaster ami organist of the Taranaki Street Methodist choir (Mr H. Temple White) and the members were entertained by the trustees. During the evening the senior trustee (Mr W. Bennett) referred to the fact that some of the .most beautiful hvmns hi their hymnal were rarely used and Mr White promised to note this and to endeavour to rectify it. Paul Vinogradoff, the famous Russian pianist, who gave two recitals in Ha worn last year, has since- settled in Wellington. He has taken up tuition for tin* piano and also gives recitals. Recentlv several groups of the British Music Society, an institution designed to foster a love of music by British composers and to encourage original work, were formed in the Wellington district. A reunion of the members was held last week in Wellington, when Miss V. Corliss, honorary organiser, spoke enthusiastically of the excellent work of the groups during the four weeks since their inception:. She remarked that one of the aims of the> groups is to encourage original compositions, and during the coming year an effort would be made to introduce such work into the programmes of the vancue groups. At a recent meeting o. the string group, Miss Corliss said, it was suggested that that particular group should form the nucleus of a string orchestra. . .. Miss Corliss amusingly gave details of a’proposed reed pipe group, similar to that, instituted at East Grinstead m England. “The handicraft of pipemaking and the playing of these beautiful little instruments are new and fascinating pleasures for the amateur music-lover, 7 ’ said Miss Coiliss. “The pipes are made of bamboo, painted in gay colours,' and have the advantage of costing a few pence only; they arc made in various pitches, and an accurately tuned scale in a wondcifullv mellow tone can be produced.’ She announced "that she had written for a supply of reed pipes, and that members wore already forthcoming for the new group. SUCCESSOR TO' SULLIVAN. Edward German, a British composer, whose work has become very and whose operas “Tom Jones,’ “Henry VIII.,” “Nell Gwyn,” and “Men-ic England” are held in high regard with audiences all over the Empire is considered the lineal successor of Sir Arthur Sullivan. His work has much of the charm and beauty of Sullivan's and to him was allotted the completion of a choral work, “The Emerald Isle.” left unfinished at Sullivan s death He has a personality of 'his own and perhaps not the fertile invagination and ingenuity of Sullivan. But the slightlv “acid flavour” imparted to the work - has. in the opinion of some critics, “given a piquancy to Sullivans work.” He has also a graciousncss and piquanev all his own and also a recognisable idiom which entitle him and indeed assure him an honourable place among the composers of light opera.