THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 9 October 1922, Page 6

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

There is a distinct feeling of optimism and progress in tke various societies of Hawera, which is very much to be commended and should lead to much improvement not only with the society, but also in the individual. If any society is to do work of the best quality the result can be achieved only by individual training. It is, as it were, team work, as in so many of our spoTts. Every conductor knows the joy it gives him to find his chorus members practising their parts. The personal interest of members is increased and the result in the combined work is more than useful. So, too, a knowledge of production is most useful and, for the best work, essential. How, for instance, could conductors of famous choirs obtain those wonderful subdued effects, pianissimo and. those magnificent crescendos or diminuendos and full-throat-ed effects, unless every member is a singer, and a singer with knowledge of the use of the voice. It was said of the Sheffield Choir, one of the finest combinations of voices that ever came to New Zealand, that any one of that large body could sing the solos in the works performed. This, of course, cannot be the case in a local chorus, but there is no reason why everyone should not learn something of the art and Imprive by regular- practice. The pleasure of the individual would thereby be vastly increased and the. result in the chorus work quite remarkable. It is just the absence of this knowledge and practice that takes off a lot of the ]oy in the work of the conductor of most amateur choruses.. "Maritana," which the Operatic Society have tackled, will require the best work of the chorus. Each member can help the conductor and society by practice, study and consistent work.

It will be interesting to learn that a proposal is mooted to form a choral society in Hamilton. '/The proposal to establish a choral society in Hamilton," says the Times, "will doubtless meet with support not only from vocalists who may desire to become members, bu€ also from inusio lovers and the public generally. The work of a choral society is deserving of suppoft; it tends to foster all that is best in music. The members receive the attvantage of training in concerted work, while the public are given some delightful evenings listening to great compositions." They intend to make a statt with the "Messiah.'' "Why does not Hamilton try to induce Auckland to help as Wellington arc doing in Tara-> naki? i