MUSIC PREFERENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23615, 27 March 1940, Page 6

MUSIC PREFERENCES

MEN OF ROYAL AIR FORCE I FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LONDON, March 1 The men of the 1940 Royal Air Force and British Army prefer the songs of 1940. This was one of the things told to Mr. F. W. Ogilvie, director-general of the British Broadcasting Corporation, when he toured units of the British Air Force in France. Mr. Ogilvie was asking the men what kind of programmes they wanted to hear on the new 8.8.C. wave-length, which is intended mainly for broadcasts to the troops. He learned that dance music, variety and news are the biggest attractions, and that the men like light, cheerful music when they are in their billets. . i "What would you think of short French lessons if we gave them?" asked Mr. Ogilvie of one unit. ' "We could do with them," was the reply. "Most of us are already taking lessons in the village as it is." The general opinion was that there had been too much "Tipperary," arid that the new time's like "Roll Out the Barrel" were much preferable. Long {days were thought to he difficult to isten to, as there was so much movement in the billets,, birt a suggestion that short thrillers should be given was ■welcomed. Mr. Ogilvie, who talked to large numbers of the men, made notes of his conversation, and said on leaving each unit: "Don't forget to write and tell us what you think." The 8.8.C.'s director-general had plenty of indications of the men's preferences for light music, apart from anvthing they .told.him. Wherever he called unannounced, the wireless wsfl tuned in to either popular orchestral music or dance music.