STRATFORD MUSIC

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 12

STRATFORD MUSIC

BRANCH OF SOCIETY FORMED. LARGE ATTENDANCE'S INTEREST. The formation of a branch of the-Bri-tish Music Society at Stratford was decided on by a public meeting. Considerable interest was shown, there being an attendance of over 50 people in spite of heavy rain. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan, the de-puty-mayor, Dr. W. P. P. Gordon, presided. “I ! think this a very excellent move,” said Dr. Gordon, “and on such a wet evening it is very 'heartening to see such a large attendance. It is fitting that a town with a name like Stratford should have a musical society.” He cited the rapid development of the British Drama League at Stratford as an example of the town’s artistic taste. The fine arts were somewhat neglected in days of depression, he said, material interests tending to take a predominant part. There should be enough artistic taste and talent in Stratford to justify the movement, and he wished it every success. Mrs. Percy Thomson was.voted to the chair, and for the rest of the evening presided ever the meeting. There was quite a lack in small towns of variety of entertainment said Mrs. Thomson in her introductory address. Until the Drama League had come Stratford had not realised how much it had missed. Numerous musical societies had been formed at Stratford, but owing to constant changes in the population of the town they had one after another “fallen through," so that at present there was no such society in existence. The musia-loving public of Stratford was very much indebted during recent years to Miss Wilson of S. Mary’s School, who had allowed others to share with the school pupils various musical treats afforded by the visit of talented performers. , It should be grateful also to Miss G. Galbraith, who had taken a considerable amount of trouble to secure information regarding the British Music Society and to organise the public meeting.

Explaining the aims and objects of the society, Mrs. Thomson proceeded to read a statement by Miss V. Corliss, Wellington, Dominion organiser. “All who are interested in the progress of xriusic in this country realise that although we have achieved much, we still Jack that vital factor in all national artistic life, cohesion,” stated Miss Corliss. “There should bp more co-ordination between the people who make music and those who listen to music, between the professional ancl amateur musicians and the lay music-lovers of the country. We need more of these intimate gatherings where people meet to make music and to discuss music, in an atmosphere of friendliness and appreciation.” The , chief aim of the British Music Society was to maintain an organisation entirely free from personal interests or partisanship which should work solely for the good of music. The society aimed at raising the status of music in education and was particularly keen that schools should form branches and offered its services in various ways, such as obtaining artists, lecturers etc.

One of the important' aspects of the work of the society was that of the magnificent library of music of over a thousand works. From this library any branch member was entitled to borrow, at a small charge. The group system was also a prominent feature, the members of a branch - dividing into groups, either mixed, or along such lines as a string group, piano group, and vocal group. On the motion of Mr. Menzies, seconded by Mrs. C. Moore, it was decided unanimously to form a branch of the society at Stratford. A discussion ensued on the subscription to be fixed, the meeting generally feeling that the 10s 6d fixed by the Wellington Society was too high. It was finally decideti that the subscription should be 10s 6d for a “household ticket” (one ar more adults) 7s 6d for a single member. and 3s 6d fox- juniors.

The formation of two groups, vocal and instrumental, was proposed by Mr. C. J. Hickson. The formation of too many small groups would not be a good idea, he said, if anything really good was to be dope by the members. A group of half a dozen could do very little apart from study. The motion was carried. It was decided to hold the group: meeting once a fortnight. The arranging of concerts was left to the committee.

The following committee was appointed: Mrs. J. Anderson, Mrs. Blennerhassett, Mr. L. J. Rowell, Mrs. C. Moore, Mr. C. J. Hickson, Mr. P. T. Aitken, Mr. I. N. Menzies, Mrs. Vincent, Miss G. Galbraith. Mr. G. Bam and Mrs. Bourke.