MUSIC FOE A LIVING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19805, 28 November 1927, Page 11

MUSIC FOE A LIVING.

PICTURE HOUSE ORCHESTRAS DRAIN ON AMATEUR RANKS. MR. COLIN MUSTON'S VIEWS. Not so long ago a pianist, with the aid, perhaps, of a fiddler or two, provided all the music patrons expected at a picture theatre. In recent years, however, music has won for itself ag important place in the programme, and the leading theatres have built up large orchestras, whose playing is an essential portion of the evening's entertainment and enjoyment. As a reflection of this tendency to feature the musical offerings almost on terms of equality with the picture programme itself, it is stated the ranks of amateur instrumentalists in Auckland have been thinned to a degree that has caused some concern and anxiety to those whose task it is to train young players in orchestral work.

Illustrating this diverting of talent to professional orchestras, Mr. Colin Muston, conductor of the Bohemian Orchestra, said yesterday that since the inception of the orchestra in 1914, 280 playei'3 had been under his baton. The average strength of the orchestra is about 65 players. Soon after the organisation was formed it lost about half of its players owing to the war, and new players had to be trained to replace them. Since then—and particularly during the past two years —picture theatres have increased considerably in numbers, and there has been a constant drain upon the players in the Bohemian Orchestra. It is estimated, in fact, that at least half the picture players in Auckland have beon wholly or partly trained by the Bohemian Orchestra. Since the society came into existence 127 violinists have performed in its concert programmes. As the number necessary is only 30, the difficulties of the conductor in view of the constantly changing personnel is very evident. The same tendency has marked every section of the orchestra. Only two cornet players are required, but 21 have from time to time played. These circumstances have made the maintenance of a consistently high standard more difficult than the ordinary subscriber can imagine. How to meet the difficulty is a prob--1 lem Mr. Muston is anxious to solve. The introduction of the juvenile violin choir at Thursday's concert should prove to be a move in the right direction, as it must encourage the children to greater endeavour in preparation for admission to membership of the main orchestra. In view of the demand for trained instrumentalists in Auckland, Mr. Muston thinks the time has arrived for the university authorities to do something on a small scale, similarly to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, which is undoubtedly training first-class students to fill the professional ranks as required. Mr. Mustoti said that only about 25 per cent, of the players in the Bohemian Orchestra were paid. The society had encouraged players to turn their attention to the less usual instruments, and had allowed members the use of these for considerable periods. It had also sought to encourage players in some cases by paying their tuition fees. Mr. Muston added he would like to persuade more violinists to play the viola, while there was also need to swell the ranks of 'cello and bass players.