Aucklanders' Love of Good Music

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 99, 18 July 1927, Page 1

Aucklanders' Love of Good Music

NEW MAJESTIC CONDUCTOR MR. JOHN WHITEFORD WAUGH THE important part which music plays in connection with the | first-class picture theatres of New Zealand has been noticed by Mr. John Whiteford Waugh, the Majestic’s new Australian conductor. “One cannot help noticing the difference at once,” says Mr. Waugh, who contends that music does not ocupy such a prominent place in the Australian picture theatres. This says much for New Zealanders’ . natural love of music. Not only do Aucklanders, for instance, demand plenty of it, but Mr. Waugh says they want good music. Under his regime at the Majestic the musical score is to play an important part in the fare presented at that theatre. “It is my intention to revive many of the works of the great masters,” says the new conductor, “as well as keep in touch with all that is modern.” AUSTRALIAN BORN Mr. Waugh was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, that coalmining centre to which so many of the Welsh miners took their natural appreciation of music. The Coal City, which, incidentally, is the second largest in that State, has given several prominent musicians to the Commonwealth. Violin was studied under Vost Jansen, one of Australia’s best teachers; harmony and composition with George H. Yeung; and piano under Dr. Tyrrell. On his entry into the Sydney Con servatorium in 1914 Mr. Waugh was appointed a member of Henri \ erbrugghen’s own orchestra. He also had the signal distinction of attending the Verbrugghen interpretation classes free of any charge. When he left the Conservatorium In 1918 Mr. Waugh travelled with Alberto Goosens, the Belgian baritone, as violinist, and also appeared on the concert platform in connection with other engagements. Eventually he joined the J. C. Williamson orchestras, and for that management conducted “A Night Out,” “Mary,” "Oh, Lady, Lady,” and other successes. Together with his wife, formerly Miss Beryl Clarke, of Auckland, Mr. Waugh also visited Java and other parts of the East. PRINCIPAL ATTRACTION With the engagement of Mr. Waugh the Majestic management intend providing the best possible musical fare for its patrons. Mr. Waugh's ambition is to make the musical side of this theatre one of its principal attractions. “The management have given me every support and assistance in connection with this endeavour,” says the new conductor, “and with my knowledge of the Aucklanders’ natural love of music, I do not think that I will have any difficulty in that connection.”