THE CONCERT HALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16531, 15 September 1921, Page 4

THE CONCERT HALL.

MUSICAL SOCIETY SUPPORT

A further meeting of representatives of all the musical societies was held yesterday afternoon, when progress was reported by the various sections regarding the Concert Hall campaign. Mr 1?. B. Owen, in introducing Mr D. Mayer, who had four times been elected Mayor of Bexhill, London, and directed the world tours of most of the great artists, said he had asked him to give the people of Christchurch the benefit of his wide experience of concert hails. Mr Mayer thanked those present for their kindly reception, and said that h© had that morning looked over the plans or lay-out of the proposed, concert hall. To build a concert hall to hold 800 people would not he prudent, as it would not he worth any artist’s while coming here. Local musical organisations proved that by having to give two and three repeat performances of the some programme, iri order to accommodate their patrons. The concert hall he would advise a city like Christchurch to build would be one bolding 2(XX) people; a hall holding 800 would be serviceable as an adjunct, for rehearsals and small gatherings. In America it had been proved that, in towns where music was fostered, they grow much more rapidly. He did not kuow why, but it was so. There, ©very town of the size of Christchurch had a hail capable of seating from 2000 to 3000 people. They must remember that they could not put 2000 people in a 1500 hall, but they could put 1500 in a SOCK) hall* To build a ball an exact size for to-day’s requirements, leaving no margin for expansion, would not be Mr Charles Clarkson reported that the public were undoubtedly in farour of the concert hall proposal; the danger lay iu the apathy of the ratepayers. He congratulated the representatives of the various organisations present on the work done, and he was sure to-day would sec the dawn of a new era. Mr T. F. Hall said ho hoped the members would not disband after the fight. Mr H. Blakeley endorsed tho remarks of Mr Hall. Much could be’ done by co-operation. He was pleased to note the cordial relationship existing, and felt sure the future held great possibilities. Mr W. H. Skinner said that it wcmbl ho a great pity if, for lack of a little effort by the various musical societies, the city should miss tho opportunity of acquiring an up-to-date concert hall, which would tend to foster the love of good music, and attract the great artists who regularly visited Australia, and often passed New Zealand bv on account of the lack of suitable halls. Christchurch had missed the onportunitv of hearing Heifetz, the celebrated violinist, on this account.