NEGLECT OF MUSIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 14 (Supplement)

NEGLECT OF MUSIC

ENGLISH CRITIC’S REGRET OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CHURCH In neglecting music, says Percy Colson in an English paper, the Church neglects one of the best weapons in her armoury. We have inherited a great musical tradition. Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, Purcell, the two Wesleys and other composers too numerous to mention were

all church organists, and the Chapel Royal was a centre of musical culture. But nowadays the best musi-

cians of the younger generation tend to drift from the service of the Church.

This question of status, Mr Colson continues, must be remedied if the Church wishes to attract the class of men who are now taking up the organ, while the question of remuneration, which is a tangible symbol of the degree of consideration attaching to the musical side ot divine worship, is urgent. In innumerable churches the organist is paid a salary less than that of a gardener, and there are cathedrals that are not ashamed to offer a man of first-rate standing—an F.R.C.O. and a Doctor of Music—£2oo a year, or less, with no house! I have a list of the salaries of all the cathedrals, abbey churches and ministers in England, and, apart from St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster

New Zealand is to be included in the proposed world tour of the American actress, Katharine Cornell, and her company, according to advice received from New York, ft is understood that she would like to present a repertory of five or six plays which would possibly include Shakespeare’s ‘'Romeo and Juliet,” Shaw’s ‘‘Saint Joan” and ‘‘Candida,” Rudolf Besier’s ‘‘The Barretts of Wimpole Street,” another Shakespearean play and an Ibsen drama. This would necessitate a company of 30 or more players. Although an American, Miss Cornell made her first stag success in London, in “Little Women.” Since that time she has not appeared outside North America.

Abbey, in only one cathedral does the year, though several of those who

are paid lower salaries are given a place of residence. These considera-

tions are driving young organists of ability to the kinema. One knows that the Church cannot compete with the kinema industry, but there are, of course, any number of clergymen with brilliant abilities that would earn them organist receive as much as £5OO a for greater rewards in almost any other profession, who are content to sacrifice themselves for thei • ideals. Would not musicians, if their services were properly appreciated, be as selfsacrificing? Meanwhile, it is observed, organists must not forget that congregations, too, have their rights, whatever the effect of their exercise on the musician’s ear! A general reconsideration of the state of church music and of possible reforms is an urgent need of to-day.