MUSIC IN PALMERSTON NORTH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 130, 2 May 1927, Page 8

MUSIC IN PALMERSTON NORTH.

(To tlie Editor.) Sir, —Perhaps you or some of your readers can enlighten me as to what is the matter with musical people in this town. First we read of trouble with the Municipal Band; then the statement appears in the papers that the Orchestral Society is forced to go into recess which, i suppose, means that there were not enough active members to keep it going. Next comes a rumour that the Choral Society is having difficulty in keeping up to full strength, and now I. read in your paper that for the local Competition Festival, which is boing held next week, in the one class mentioned, that of sacred singing, there are only two entries from Palmerston North out of a total of 20. What is the matter with the Palmerston singers? Are they all hanging back waiting for one another to come forward ? Personally, I was rather against competitions until I went last year and realised the class of performance put on, and now I am looking forward to next week’s festival with eagerness. 1 do not think there is much fear of the Competition Society going into recess, but it deserves, and should receive, the support of local artists. Surely there are more than two singers in Palmerston North who can sing a sacred solo decently. Are the other sections in the same position as the singing, and what is the matter with the musical people, anyway? I hope some abler pen than mine will take the matter up and put a hit of ginger into people so that they will support our local musical societies. Am T not right in saying that in last year’s competitions all the championships were won by competitors from outside Palmerston North ? This should not he. I am, etc., NON PERFORMER. Palmerston North. May 2, 1927.