ORGAN RECITALS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6219, 27 May 1907, Page 4

ORGAN RECITALS

FINANCIAL RESULTS,

A few months ago a few correspon* dents wrote to the press impeaching the civic authorities for not making a better use of the city organ in the way of providing organ recitals more frequent, ly. The agitation had its effect, and, the Council authorities .were given instructions to supply what was asked. Incidentally. it was pointed out that the city needed a permanent organist to cater for its musical wants in regard to the city organ. How far either recitals or city organists arc required may be judged by the results of the Inst eight recitals. The present series of recitals commenced on February 2nd, when Mr Harold Gregson, an English organist, induced 242 persons to be present. The gross' financial result was .£l2 2s. This was considered encouraging, so on February sth the same organist gave a second recital, attracting 180 persons, and producing .£0 7s. A third recital on February 9th by Mr Gregson saw a drop to 175 and a return of £CB 15s ’6d. On April 9th Mr Gregson was again engaged, and on this occasion 425 people wore present and .£2l 5s Cd was taken at the doors. On May 10th Mr A. M. Potts was engaged to give a recital, when 256 people attended and .£l7 15s 6d was taken. A week later the same gentleman gave another recital, but the audience fell away to 115, who produced only £5 17s 6d. On Wednesday last Mr E. Neville Renaud (of Christchurch) was engaged by the city authorities. His audience consisted of 117 adults and three children, who gaid .£5 18s fid. At last Saturday evening’s recital less than fifty people had paid the shilling admission at 8 o’clock. Thus the gross takings at these recitals averaged a little over .£lO, which is not nearly sufficient to pay expenses if the rent of the hall and organ and the lighting are taken into consideration. Each of the organists mentioned were paid .£5 a recital, and in addition, there was the cost of advertising and printing, ticket-sellers and takers’ wages, and sundry expenses. It should lie stated here that any one of the organists mentioned wishing to give a recital would have had to pay ,£lB for the hall and’ -£3 10s for the usa of the organ, and a local player would have to pay a third less. Dr Bradshaw, ot Christchurch, gave two recitals hers a week or two ago on his own responsibility, and lost money.