YOUNG COMPOSER PRAISED

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1933, Page 3

YOUNG COMPOSER PRAISED

GENIUS IN CHRiSTCHURCH. RECENTLY .STAYING AT RAHOTU. Concerning a young Christchurch musician and composer, Mr. Hamilton Dickson, who has lately been staying with Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Hughson, Rahotu, the Christchurch Times recently said:— ’ . ' “The impression that band •' music is much more popular and has reached a far higher standard in New Zealand than in Australia has been more and more impressed on Mr. B. W.. Caten, bandmaster of the Young Australia League’s band, as he has travelled through the Dominion'. Interviewed, he was , prepared to 1 talk about the high standard of band music, but was moi-e enthusiastic regarding the genius of a young Christchurch musician,. Mr. Hamilton Dickson. “Mr. Caten had heard Mr., Dickson playing and singing his own compositions, and was particularly pleased with an operetta, ‘The Gipsies,’ that the young Christchurch man had recently composed. ‘I should like to make an appeal to the Christchurch, musical public that, they assist this brilliant young man in producing his work before an adequate public,’ Mr. Caten said. . ‘lt may be the making, of him; and, even if it. is a failure—which it will not be—Christchurch would only be doing its duty if it gave him every asistance. Why should he’ have to leave his own town to show his talent? His works are full of melody, and I have never heard anything better of the type than the operetta I have mentioned. I should like to. think that Christchurch had given him a chance. My enthusiasm is disinterested, and ! am not easily pleased, but I am going to mention him to the broadcasting authorities and the director of the Conservatorium when I return to Sydney.’ ” Mr. Caten had recently been a judge at a band contest in Australia. He is trombone professor at the Sydney Conservatorium. Graduating from a village band on the outskirts of London,- he joined the famous Scots Guard Band, and has played before Royalty on several occasions. He recalled playing in the throne room at Buckingham Palace during the last visit of the German Emperor to England.