CONSERVATOIRE OF MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13672, 13 February 1908, Page 3

CONSERVATOIRE OF MUSIC.

IS IT NEEDED IN NEW ZEALAND? Tim matter of a Conservatoire of Music fntl New Zealand was touched upon by the president of the Conference of Musicians in hfe?;' opening address before members in Wellington. It is also si subject that tew been d£s« cussed by. the University Senate. V Opfrikma as, -to.-whether finch an institution, is -'desk-; able vary considerably, ds brief intervi«w» which a representative of the Wellington' Dominion had with leading musicians from the four ccnfcves show. •

The president of the Conference of Musi- t cians (Mr. Maugban Barnott) said ho ton* sidered the idea of a conservatoire a very admirable one. Here, in this country, we, lacked the pleasure of being in the midst of ' music missed what wan termed a imisi* cal atmosphere; And 'whilst for .-marry years to come wo could not expect to be in the same position in line respect as the Heme countries, it was desirable that some attempt '■should bo made to come an near $£ possible to the conditions in the avfc centre*'* lie had already outlined in his presidential.;, speech at the conference some of the -.n&t vantages of having a conservatoire. . ''£- Mr. J. H." Fray (Napier)'"said it was net.: to the interest of the musical profess**!* to. have a conservatoire of inwsic, nod as better teaching would not be obtained the paliHc likewise-would not reap any benefit. Ex* p&rience had show k» Adelaide that the Conservatoire there wa,s working in diawcfi '■ opposition to the profusion generally, Backed tip as the institution was, the professional teachers found themselves helpless 'when they came into competition with it. They in turn had retaliated by withdrawing all their pupils from the university exams* nations. He felt that such an establish' menb in New Zealand would have the sa-rmJ disastrous effect. As to the matter civ pupils' examinations, in time the newly-* formed Society of Musicians in New Zeii*;* Land could, held their own examination*. v ; Under tho present system the institution** at Homo sent out o»e man, .expert, perhaps, in one branch of musical art, who examined in all subjects, but here in New Zealand they could appoint in different centres ex* anunera for various subjects. Tho result*", would bo far more satisfactory. • • ; "The colonies are too young .yet for & school of music," .said Signer 6quaris©, t president of the Dnnedin Society of Husrckuia, "and they lack the skilled teachers." Uka Mr. Frey, ho said Mich an institution would bo detrimental to the> musical profosswo,and he likewise insiancctl the ease of Ade< bide, with which ho had been personaliy acquainted. „ , _» . Herr Hirs-ebbart.' (president of the Ohm*-: church Society) declared that t3te time w*s. not ripe tor "the institution. in Ciuruifc- : church the musicians were opposed to Un idea, well as had hew mebctfted by «smi University Senate. The population of the Dominion was too small ko enable its opera- ■ tion*? to he coaihwted successfully. Mr. W. H. Webbe fes-pre«deat of lfe» Auckland Society) said that Auckland mnaiclans wore agasttei the suggestion. The : time was not yet ripe and the papulation was kvmificient. He- pointed oat that, professional teachers would feel its effect*. ,: Men would be brought out from Home aiid, inter alia, he was. opposed altogether - to'the importation 'of expert material in any sphere when: they bad equally eeropo-', tent men in the Dominion— t&oso who bad come out and born* all the bsunt of the pioneering work in muiic would, find their livelihood interfered with. Ha considei»d that the lines the ncwly-lerwed soeietv pq»p»sed to work on would provide gteatei ad» vantages for teachers and pablk;.