DUNEDIN MUSIC TEACHERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24890, 14 April 1942, Page 6

DUNEDIN MUSIC TEACHERS

ANNUAL MEETING Mr C. Roy Spackman presided at the thirty-seventh annual meeting of the Dunedin Music Teachers’ Society. Moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet the chairman said the society had. in spite of difficult times, remained a live body, helping by every means possible the cause of music, and teachers had not spared any effort to maintain their efficiency at a high standard. Music was recognised as an essential factor in eduction and a valuable influence at all times, but especially so in times such as we were now experiencing. The Students’ Club, organised for the purpose of encouraging music-making by young players under the most favourable conditions, had flourished, the membership now numbering over 100. Five meetings of the council had been hold and several lectures and recitals had been arranged. The report was adopted. Mr M. Scherek gave a report of the last meeting of the Music Teachers’ Registration Board, which was established for the purpose of raising the standard of the profession and protecting the public from the possibility of inefficient teaching methods. New Zealand was the only country in the Empire with a Music Teachers’ Registration Act and requests for permission to copy the Act had been received from several parts of the world, A high standard of qualification was demanded and the standard of teaching would be raised to the benefit of those desiring musical training. Steps had been taken by the board in at least one case to prevent a person from continuing to use a bogus degree.

The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr Spackman: vicepresidents, Mr Scherek, Mr G. W. Johnstone; council —Misses V. R. Moore, M. Paine. M. Martin, R. Thomson, Mrs O. Campbell, Messrs Axel Newton and F. Cawley: secretary-treasurer, Mr H. Riddle: auditor, Mr H. H. Sykes; 'solicitor, Mr Paul Lemon.