STATE MILITARY BAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19797, 24 May 1926, Page 8

STATE MILITARY BAND.

OPINIONS OF MUSICIANS. ORCHESTRA GREATLY PREFERABLE. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 23. The opinions of leading musicians were sought on the proposal of Air F. J. Ricketts, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Band, to iorm a State military band in New Zealand. All condemned the proposal, declaring that if the Government had money to spare to subsidise any form of musical combination it should found a State symphony orchestra. “An impossible thing to do,” said Mr Angus Gunter, conductor of Christchurch Orchestral Society. 'All the best music is compsed for symphony orchestras, and the band versions are merely adaptations. If the Government wants to do anything and help musical culture it should establish an orchestra.” Mr Ernest Empson, another leading musician, said;—“ln view of the large expenditure involved in the founding of such a national musical force only the highest good should be considered, and in my opinion this can be achieved only thiough the medium of the orchestra. The most eloquent and soul-stirring group of instruments is, after all, the string family. Anyone who has a knowledge of the great orchestras of Europe and America can understand how much inferior to the full orchestra any other musical combination must be.” Dr Bffedshaw said:—“l think the time has comq when something higher should be attempted in New Zealand in music. What is needed is a Stata orchestra. A State, band might appeal to many people, but from an educational standpoint the need is for an orchestra.”