Lunch Hour Concerts for City

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 160, 8 July 1943, Page 4

Lunch Hour Concerts for City

An innovation so far as Palmerston North is concerned and probably unique in New Zealand is the inauguration of lunch time concerts in the city under the combined auspices of the W.E.A. and Library Extension Service. Mr. W. J. Mountjcy, Jnr., recently appointed W.E.A. tutor-organiser, who is responsible for this forward cultural move, told the “Times” something of the tremendous popularity of these concerns in London under the direction of Myra Hesse, world famous pianiste, some of which he had been privileged to attend. The purpose of the concerts is to provide opportunities for those who work in the city of listening to good music performed by competent artists. The concerts will be held iu the Opera House aud will commence at 12.15 p.m. finishing at 1.45 pm. and will be arranged so that patrons may be able to come and leave at tho times that suit their lunch hour. Palmerston North musicians are cooperating to ensure that a high standard of programme will be maintained. Occasionally visiting artists will take part as, for instance, the talented young pianiste, Miss Jocelyn Walker, who is on duty at an Air Force station, has been secured tor the first concert on Wednesday next when there will be a short official opening. A small charge will be made for admission, proceeds to be donated to the patriotic fund. Mr. Mountjov’s arrival in the city is most opportune as his qualifications and experience have enabled him to bring to pass or at least set the machinery in motion, for a real cultural centre a project which has been under consideration by various musical and dramatic groups over the past few months as an extension of the library service. The lunch hour concerts are the first of several proposed activities and poetry readings, ballet and gramophone music are included in the scheme.