JUNIOR ORCHESTRA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 92, 30 March 1936, Page 5

JUNIOR ORCHESTRA

Napier Body’s Annual Meeting

The Napier Junior Orchestra held its ■first annual general meeting in the Napier Thirty Thousand Club’s rooms. Mr 8. P. Spiller was in the shair. The report of the conductor, Mr P. W. Tombs, stated:— As you all know, the formation of this orchestra took place in June, 1935, in the Thirty Thousand Club’s rooms, when a gathering of 30 persons confirmed with enthusiasm the ideas of many musical well-wishers. Air 8. I’. Spiller, who was elected chairman of the meeting, briefly outlined the objects of the orchestra. The officers elected were; Conductor, Mr P. W. Tombs; deputy-conductor, Mr C. W. White; leader of orchestra, Miss E. Aislabie; honorary secretary, Mr W. T. Harvey.

It was arranged to hold a weekly practice on Fridays, from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. In this respect we express our thanks to the Napier Savage Club for the use of their music stands during practices. The attendance of the orchestra has been very gratifying. The results achieved would have been impossible If the attendance had been poor. Membership: This is a problem

which will have to be fixed as inquiries from all sources are increasing. The sew ho are granted permission to join must be prepared to pull their weight and attend practices icgularly. Concert: This item gives me, as conductor, great pleasure to comment on. The standard of the playing showed that, although composed of practically new material, with the talent available, the orchestra is assured of a successful future. People were amazed to think that so young a body of musicians could produce such enjoyable music in such a short space of time. At this juncture I must express my thanks to Miss E. Aislabie, the leader of the orchestra, who has literally been a tower of strength to the young players. I am also deeply indebted to Mr Cedric White, the deputy-conductor, whose wide knowledge of the woodwind instruments has been a great help to the young players in that departmeut. Donations: Thanks must be conveyed to Messrs Harstons, anil to Messrs Lockyers, Ltd. for their kind donations cf music, and to Messrs 8. Taylor, Ltd. and Matthew Spriggs for their dona tions of music stands. The following rash donations have also been received; Thirty Thousand Club £2 2/-; “ 1 riend Music: The most essential thing to keep our orchestra going is the supply i of music. Our concert, which proved a ■ financial success, has paid for a new ■ set of books which will be used this year. i General: A. conductor of many oi-

cliestras 1 must say that the interest displayed by the junior players has been very encouraging. It is the younger generation who must take up the playing of orchestral instruments in order that players . might take the place of retiring adult players. The fostering-ground, in the shape of the Napier Junior Orchestra, is at your disposal. Speaking cf the orchestra’s plans for the present season, Mr Spiller stated that it was intended to give two public concerts. On Mr Spiller’s motion the yearly subscription was fixed at 5/- and members of the orchestra would each receive two tickets for each concert. In proposing the subscription, Mr Spiller stressed the fact that no intending members should be discouraged by it as in proper cases payment could be waived. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr H. G. Spackman; president. Mr W. Harvey; vice-presidents, Miss W. McCarthy and Messrs G. W. Venables, W. T. Foster, W. It. Aislabie; committee, Messrs E. Gervin, S. 1A Spiller, P. W. Tombs, W. T. Harvey, C. White, Miss E. Aislabie, Airs AleLean; librarian, Air P. W. Tombs; hon. secretary, Mr W. T. Harvey.