MUNICIPAL MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20199, 8 March 1929, Page 12

MUNICIPAL MUSIC.

THE ORGAN RECITALS. POOR PUBLIC ATTENDANCE. QUESTION OF BROADCASTING. Following consideration of recommendations from a sub-committee a? to municipal organ recitals and band performances, the City Council decided last' evening to refer the matter back to tho committee for further consideration. A revision of the present conditions was suggested at tho meeting of the council on September 27, when the decreased attendances at the municipal recitals was adversely commented upon. Sinco then a sub-committeo of tho Finance Committee has made inquiries regarding the terms of tho appointment of city organists in other centres, and as a result of these it recommended tho maintenance of existing conditions. It wag recommended that tho present terms for the engagement of the city organist should be adhered to and that no action should bo taken with regard to a suggested appointment of three honorary organists, who would be paid on a performance basis. Existing arrangements for tho repairing and tuning of the organ should bo continued. The committeo withdrew its previous recommendations regarding the number of performances and suggested there should bo 50 organ recitals, consisting of six Saturday night performances in conjunction with the municipal choir, 40 Sunday evening recitals, one carol concert in December and sundry other performances as may be required. Tho programme for the municipal band performances was adhered to with the addition that five additional night performances may be arranged if the Town Hall is disengaged.

Mr. L. A. Eady moved that matters affecting the management of the municipal concerts should bo entrusted to the Libraries Committee. The council had "the goods," but was not selling them right, ho said. The possibility of a final settlement with IYA as to the broadcasting of concert music was mentioned by the deputymayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican. He said the council was at present negotiating with the company. Mr. T. Bloodworth said he did not see why the control of recitals should come under a committee controlling museums, curiosities and antiquities. It seemed fairly obvious that citizens were not prepared to give support to the city organist's performances. This view was shared by Mr. W. H. Murray, who considered that honorary should be engaged as required. Mr. J. A. C. Allum said the council had a duty to the people to continue the service. "The sale of organ records is phenomenal," said Mr. Eady. . "The organ is one of the most popular instruments in the world to-day."-Mr. Eady's amendment was lost, a resolution being carried to refer the report back to the committee.