A FORWARD MOVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 16

A FORWARD MOVE

PROPOSAL TO HOLD MDSIC WEEK NEED FOR ENTERPRISE To strijmulate more public interest in r/tusic, it was suggested by Dr. S. K. Phillips at the annual meeting of the Society of Musicians on Tuesday evening that a Music Week should be organised. This commends itself nbt only to the in Auckland, but also *o all the representatives of the viusic trade in Auckland. Without fear of contradiction it can bp s/aJd that musicians as a class are the most unenterprising people one coii/rd possibly meet. It is for this reason that. Music Week, if it comes to pass, will be a great success if it sijtcreeds only in stirring the musicians °f Auckland into one concerted effort tfrward better things.

Much is heard from the musicians •of Auckland concerning the apathy shown by the public toward good music, but surprisingly little is done to counteract it. Much time is spent in preparing for concerts, but very little in the direction of attracting the public to them or making more attractive those places -where the musical entertainments are given. With one notable exception the concert halls are drab, dreary and draughty. House lights blaze throughout the concerts in the good old midVictorian manner to tire the eyes and dull the senses of those' who would even bear with discomfort to hear music. . . . And this in an age when promoters of other forms of entertainment are vieing with each other in providing the very latest in auditorium comfort. Even if house lights were only dimmed, and an attempt made to provide stage decorations hard seat:* could be endured. For most musical organisations the 11129 season is drawing to a close, but it is hoped that during the recess the proposal to hold a Music Week in 1930 will be kept steadily in view, and that, at the first available opportunity it will be discussed by all organisations concerned.

In other countries these have proved a great, success and with the co-opera-tion of all musical societies, the musical trades, church choirs, civic authorities and the Broadcasting Company there is no reason why good results should not attend the Auckland venture.

If Music Week only succeeds in making Auckland conceits more attractive a big forward move will have been accomplished.