MUSIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7637, 21 February 1903, Page 4

MUSIC.

At the motnent, musio i« literally in the air, and, if we may judge from the enormous attendance at Melba'fi concert, last night, the subject U one which appeals to a fftr larger prtfportioit of the cohimuhity than might be generally imagined. We have already drawn attention- to the ladk of facilities, itt the way of scholarships, for promising young mußicianß, but it eeettls that the divine art is not to be lightly estimated in New Zealand, at any rate. At the University Senate, yesterday, Mr Cohen, hinlsslf a, practical musician of cxv.wllent parts, moved that It be referred to the Music Committee to report as to> Whether the Statute Bachelor of Music fiheuld be amendea, so as t6 mako compuisoi-y for candidates to exhibit to eiamiiiefS practical proficiency on the organ, piano or violin/ or in playing *frbffl score. Mr Cohen seem« to have hit upott a blot in our tyet«n of examination. It id certainly far too theoretical. A knowledge of the ihedry of music is, of course, ant essential gilt of a musical education ; but is surely »f less importance, from the point of view of the requirements of the home circle, ■which, after allj it the principal outlet for ouf. musical talent, thatt is a ready practical proficiency. If thi* is not with the teadhers, it canndt lie With the taught. A purely theoretical 'knowledge Cannot give . the eatae featisfactory result* as a 'more complete and extended acquaintance with the subject;; for, as Mr Cohen pointed oiit> a weakness in one degree Would- tend to affect others prejudicially. Moreover, in its present state, the degree cannob possess the tiaine vahie afi c-ne based Upon the double require- " ment. The Home Universities have a "section of the elimination; specially devoted 1 to thorough practical tests} and although it ib quoted by Sir Maurice (yißorke, that it is eatier to get a music degtee in Oxford tn«tl it 18 in Kfrw Zealand, this must be due, not to the attaching of a lesser importance to theofeticat training at JSomej but to a difference in the scalp of examination, which dot* not affecb the point ab issifi e. If musio is to be popularised, and Its popularising i* helpful in many Way* in a comniunity, we must have it in the highest form 6f it* expression. The usefulness of a good praefcieal tfalning h,as been exemplified in our own niidtt by the signal tiuoceas Which has Attended the Operations of the excellent School ttt Music in Nelfion. A high standard of efficiency is most desif&ble in cur colonial degrees, o>nJ it is to be hoped that the Senate's Music _ Committee Will recognise this, and act Upon Mr Goben's niggefltion. jmrntv .til ii ,ii)nii in ii mn in ii >n mini | r ri rrirrir;