MUSIC MAKING BY CHILDREN

Southland Times, Issue 24764, 8 June 1942, Page 2

MUSIC MAKING BY CHILDREN

RECITALS BY DUNEDIN GROUPS Although one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand had no music. This was a statement made by Dr T. Vernon Griffiths, director of music at King Edward Technical College, Dunedin, at a demonstration concert of school music at the Victoria Hall on Saturday night. However, he promptly set about proving the exception to his generalization by presenting a programme of unique musical interest by juvenile performers. During his nine years as director of music at the college, Dr Griffiths has successfully undertaken what is probably the most significant work in the development of musical interest and ability among children of school age ever done in New Zealand. It is perhaps unfortunate that he has been called to another phase of musical activity by his appointment to the chair of music at Canterbury University College because his work among younger students has been so outstandingly successful that it deserves to be continued and expanded. Fortunately, by demonstration concerts and a most interesting manual on music making, Dr Griffiths has provided the basis and inspiration, to others to carry on his work. The concert on Saturday night was given by a party of 18 students under the direction of Dr Griffiths. The visit was arranged by the Music Section of the University Association of Southland which deserves credit for promoting an inspiring and thoughtprovoking demonstration. A performance was given for school children in the afternoon and both sessions attracted large audiences. Dr Griffiths explained that with the small parties he had brought to Invercargill he did not attempt to demonstrate the work that was being done in music at the college. The small groups represented music making in the home. Parties of instrumentalists or singers met at each others’ homes for enjoyable sessions of musical performances. In Dunedin, parents had given their enthusiastic support to tlie movement and they had revived the rare pleasure once derived from musical evenings in the homes. ADMIRABLE MATERIAL The programme was designed to show what might be done in arranging music for the groups of performers available. Practically the whole of the music performed had been specially arranged by Dr Griffiths and much of it had been corpposed by him. It was admirable material for the young musicians; simple and attractive tunes being arranged so that each player could have an interesting share in the ultimate effect. The party of 10 instrumentalists showed a refreshing enthusiasm for their work and the precision and accuracy of their playing indicated how much they had benefited from their training. Violinists, ’cellists and clarinettists in ensembles and various combinations gave performances which must have been satisfying and delightful to all. A group of eight girls provided the vocal interest in the programme with a series of sweetly sung three-part songs. The emphasis throughout the programme was on group performance and rarely were soloists allowed to disturb the atmosphere of cooperative effort. Not tire least interesting feature was the happy explanation of the music by Dr Griffiths who was at the piano throughout the recital. The president of the association, Mr F. M. Corkill, expressed thanks to Dr Griffiths for the visit and the delightful demonstration. In his reply, Dr Griffiths paid a tribute to Mr Charles Martin, chairman of the section, who had organized the visit. During the recital Miss Dorothy Hanify and Mr Martin gave a brilliant performance of “La Campanella” as a piano duo.