CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11654, 8 June 1912, Page 5

CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

VIEWS OF EXPERTS. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, June ~. The establishment of an up-to-date conservatorium of music forms the subject of reports by two experts who, at the instance of the University Senate, set forth the minimum requirements of such an institution. The Chancellor (Sir Robert Stout) briefly referred to these reports at the Capping Day ceremony yesterday, at the same time remarking that if there could be onlv one siieh|eonservatorium in New Zealand for sometime to come, it should be- located in Auckland, whose surroundings were peculiarly suited" for a school of music. This morning Sir Robert Stout gave a reporter some interesting details concerning the reports of the experts (Professor H. A. Thomson, of Melbourne, and Mr F. Leslie Peck, of Wanganui). The first-named suggests that the conservatorium should aiiiTat offering a complete curriculum, leading to a diploma and degrees of the University, and above all to the establishment of a national school of sound musicians. The course for a diploma should be for three years, and-at least four for the degree. He proposes a staff which would efficiently provide for cornpleto instruction in the following subjects: —Pianoforte, violin, singing, organ, and choir-training, with other instruments as required (ear-training accompaniment), leading from the score (choral and orchestral). The'formation of a reference and general musical library'must be anticipated,, and accommodation provided for it. The scale of fees would best be left open until the Government decided if it was prepared to give financial assistance, and if so whether such assistance was to be of a permanent or temporary nature. Without substantial aid he does not think a good conservatorium could be maintained in New Zealand. The professor added that co-operation between Xew Zealand and Australia in the matter of examinations was desirable. The report dated from Wanganui advising that co-operation between the universities of the Commonwealth and New Zealand in the conduct of public examinations in music was desirable frames a scheme for a conservatorium , of musie in Xew Zealand upon the supposition that the institution would be regarded 'from the outset as more or a serious purpose, whose primary object would be the training of students tor the musical nrofession—-an institution cap-ible of "uroviding instruction in music of the highest class as well as influencing to a large extent the practice of honest art in the country, and not in so many cases a mere ' school of music - ' which anybody could make use of .for the purpose of studying a single subject.