MUSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13928, 6 April 1909, Page 3

MUSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.— ln your issue of March 16 there appeared an article on Musical Examinations in New Zealand, by C A. Young, in which the writer clearlj shows that he has little or r.o know ledge of the subject he attempts to deal with. To begin with, ho assert, that "Delegates trom the variou branches of the Society of Professional Musicians have recently been in ses sion in Auckland.'' This is contrary to -fact, as there does not at preseir exist any such society. There are : number of societies of profe^siona musicians which have been established during the last seven years in ' thf principal centres of the Dominion, and these societies were represented by delegates at the conference of professional musicians held here in January. Mr Young's assertion with reference to the modus operandi of admitting menibers to some of the existing societies is as ridiculous as it is untrue, and the articles of association to which he refers are evidently the creation of his 'own imagination. Your contributor seems to think that .professional musicians should not he paid for their services when assisting amateur choral and orchestral societies. I hardly think that any professional conductors of such societies should be expected to work for nothing. Mr Young is not at all at home on the subject of musical examination, and his reference to the examiners sent out by the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, and the Trinity College of London is in exceedingly bad taste. Mr Young may be an enthusiastic amateur, but has much to learn on the subject of musical examination in the Dominion. — I am, etc. PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. Auckland, April 1, 1909.