MANY LECTURES GIVEN

Southland Times, Issue 23773, 22 March 1939, Page 9

MANY LECTURES GIVEN

FIRST REPORT OF MUSIC SECTION UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHLAND The first annual report of the Music Section of the University Association of Southland states that a meeting was convened on April 7, 1938, of those interested in the study of musical appreciation under the leadership of Mr Charles Martin, Mus., Bac., L.R.A.M., in the Technical College Hall.. The business discussed at the meeting was the allotment of subjects to members willing to give addresses to the group and the election of officers. There was a representative attendance at this meeting and;Mr Charles Martin was elected chairman and Miss M. D. Mehaffey, secretary and treasurer. Because of the non-election of a committee these two members have acted as the executive for the year. The following lectures were given during the season: “The beginning of Music” (Mr Martin); “Folk Music and its Development” (Miss N. Enderby, M.A.); “Johann Sebastian Bach” (Mr Martin. Assisting artists.—Mrs P. Frampton and Mr H. Slater, vocalists, Mrs Ivon Wilson, L.R.S.M. and Miss Ruth Wesriey, L.R.S.M., pianists, Mr C. Pasco, L.R.S.M., violinist); “Chamber Music and Madrigals” (Mr Martin. Assisting artists.—Messrs Pasco, V. Le Petit, ’cello, Hartley Joel, flute); “Music of the XVI Century” (Miss M. M. Robinson, M.A. Madrigals were sung by Mrs Frampton, Miss A. Vallis, soprano, Mrs Bamsdale, Miss E. Mehaffey, contralto, Messrs H. L. Browse, V. Le Petit, tenors, H. Slater and K. Kennedy, basses); “Life and Work of Beethoven (Miss M. Barlow, L.T.C.L.); “Analysis of Symphony No. 3, The Eroica” (Mr Martin. A complete recording of this work was played).

In October a “Johannes Brahms” evening was held. Miss N. Enderby, M.A., gave an outline of the life and characteristic of the composer and Mr Martin presented an analysis of Brahms’s Symphony No. 2 in D, Major. Assisting artists were Miss M. Cockburn (contralto), Miss Joy McCrostie and Mr Allan Tregonning, L.R.S.M. (pianists). The final meeting for the year was of exceptional interest in that the section was fortunate in securing the services of the distinguished English composerpianist, Mr Felix Swinstead, F.R.A.M. Mr Swinstead’s informal talk which preceded his recital was highly instructive. His pianoforte playing revealed the touch and technique of a master. Besides 11 of his own compositions, all characterized by striking originality, he played works by Chopin, Liszt and Debussy. The roll shows a total membership of 61, and with such a wealth of music and knowledge as has been presented during the year, it is hoped and expected that the coming season will show a big increase in membership. It is hoped also to endeavour this year to find a permanent meeting place. The section wishes to thank those members who showed their practical interest in the development of music by giving their time to preparing and delivering lectures, the artists who so carefully rehearsed and so admirably presented musical illustrations, and all who assisted the section during the year.

Special reference is made in the report to the work of the chairman, Mr Martin. Undoubtedly the success of the 1938 season was due to his enthusiasm, untiring efforts and his outstanding ability as an organizer and a musician, states the report. “For this association to be of real benefit to the community,” concludes the report, “the public must be made to recognize its endeavours to raise the standard of music, and must therefore develop an appreciation of the beauties of the art.”