CENTENNIAL MUSIC AND DRAMA

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 22, 8 November 1939, Page 8

CENTENNIAL MUSIC AND DRAMA

WELL-KNOWN SINGERS ENGAGED

|, ' 'Whatever attitude the people in some localities may have about modifying their programmes of | Centennial celebrations, I believe I firmly that the whole public of New Zealand will be unanimous in a I wish for a complete performance of the Centennial music and drama festivals which are being planned by the National Music Committee with the assistance of Provincial Music Committees," state the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, in a review of the arrangements. j The Minister mentions that the Centennial Music Committees in the four main centres are co-operat-ing enthusiastically with the National Committee, and each has planned a tentative programme ,which is expected to be outstanding in interest and cultural value. VISITING ARTISTS As adjudicator, conductor and musical adviser, the National Centennial Music Committee, in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Service, has engaged Mr. Andersen Tyrer, a musician and composer of high standing in British musical circles. Arrangements have also been made for the engagement of the following well-known singers who will take a prominent part in the festivals of the main centres:— Soprano, Miss Isobel Baillie, London; tenor, Mr. Heddle Nash, London; contralto, Miss Gladys Ripley, London; bass, Mr. Oscar Natschclce, New Zealand and London. PROPOSED OPERA FEATURE In the programmes of the provincial committees, it is proposed to include the production of the opera "Faust." If this proves to be practicable, the National Committee will assist by making available the four principal singers, as well as the costumes for a chorus of forty. CHOIR COMPETITIONS It is also intended ot conduct in each of the four main centres, prior to the main festivals, a choir corn-

petition, the test pieces for which are: "Music When Soft Voices Die," by Andersen Tyrer, and "Diaphenia," by C. V. Stafford. The competitions will be open to mixed choirs of not more than forty voices. It is hoped that, as these contests will provide an opportunity for a large number of singers to take a direct part in the Centennial music festivals, entries will be received from all parts of New Zealand. If the response is satisfactory, the National Centennial Committee will provide return transport expenses to enable the winning choirs in the Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch centres to compete at Wellington in the final competition in April, 1940. The first prize in the final contest will be £125; the .second £50; and the third £25. The conditions of. the competition will be advertised soon by the provincial music committees. Arrangements are being made to ensure an adequate supply of test pieces. STRING QUARTETTE COMPETITION It is intended also* to conduct a competition for string quartettes, the test pieces for which are: ivirst movement quartette in D major, "The Lark," by Haydn, and First movement quartette in A minor Op. 51, by Brahms. 'Here again it was hoped there would be a response from all parts of the Dominion. Conditions of the competition will be advertised by the provincial music committees. Facilities will be granted to enable

VARIOUS COMPETITIONS

the winning quartettes in Auckland, Dunedin* and Christchurch to compete at Wellington in the final competition for the first and second prizes, £50 and £25. OiXri-ACT wnn a view to stimulating interest m drama, tne iNauoiiai centennial Music Committee proposes to arrange to conduct, through t.ne provincial commutees anu wim mc assistance of ttie untisii ~»rauia League, o competition iw a oueact play. Here again tne winning teams in Auckland, Christcnurcn and Dunedin respectively will be granted return transport expenseo to enable them to compete at Wellington in the hnais lor prizes or XoO and £25. CENTENNIAL CHOUt The .National Centennial Council is willing to arrange lor the assembling of forty-five selected voices which, in association with the four principal singers, will form a Centennial choir to ue made available for the musical festivals in the main centres. The iNational Committee will pay the transport expenses of the choristers, but other expenses will, be the concern of the provincial committees. CEATEN.Ni.IL ORCHESTRA It is expected that as one contiuing result of the Centennial music festivals, New Zealand win have ,an established national orchestra. This should follow the decision of the National Centennial Music Committee to assemble a Centennial Orchestra, which will be a feature of the music festivals. The assembling of the players win be under the direct control of Professor Shelley, Director of the National Broadcasting Service, assisted by Mr. Maurice Clare, COMPETITIONS * FOll OIUUINAj.. COMPOSITIONS, MUSIC & in.. Entries for a competition for original compositions have already been invited by the National Centennial Music Committee; mese comprise a choral composition, orchestral composition, a one-act radio play, and a one-act stage play. A first prize of £80 and a second prize of ioU will be awarded in each section. The linai date of entry is 30tli November. FESTIVAL DATES The following periods in IIH.will be observed in presenting tin. Centennial music and drama festivals in the four main centres, dates inclusive: Auckland, 13th to 19th May; Christchurch, 25th May to Ist June; Dunedin, Bth to 15th June; Wellington, 22nd to 29th June.