School Music

Hutt News, Volume 17, Issue 24, 17 November 1943, Page 4

School Music

HUTT VALLEY TECHNICAL ' COLLEGE. Reference by Mr. R. G. Ridling, director of the Wellington Technical College, to the encouragement being given to music in the King Edward Memorial Technical College, Dunedin, has brought from the chairman of the board of managers of the Hutt Valley Technical College an explanation of what is being dtfhe in musical training there. "Immediately after his appointment as principal of the Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College 13 years ago, Mr. A. McFadyen expressed to his board .of managers a desire that music should form an integral part of the curriculum ol the college," he says. , "Five years ago the opportunity came, and since then the college has steadily advanced in the promotion of musical culture. "The college has ah orchestra of 140 members, a military band of 45, a massed girls' choir of l(i0 voices,, and a boys' bass choir of 50 voices. There are group classes for violin, 'cello, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, classes in musical appreciation, and, what is unique in any public school in the Dominion, a class in the theory of music. ' "At a recent college concert before an audience of over 1000, 300 boys and girls between the ages of of 12 and 18 took part. The great majority of these were entirely ignorant of music when they joined » the college. "Part-singing is a special feature of college singing, and the singing of hymns takes a prominent place in the devotional exercises at assembly each morning. "The Department of .Education has shown a sympathetic interest in this branch of the activities of the College, but the regulations do notfully provide for its aspirations, and development can only be carried out- by the personal sacrifice of the musical director, Mr. R. E. MeLay, and on the part of the pupils, as classes are carried on outside school hours. { "A feature of this branch of the [ work of the college is that provision is made for training to be continued at night classes for ex-pupils 0 and adults. The college welcomes o visitors interested in this or any [j branch of its activities."