ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1940, Page 4

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT COMMENT ON CONCERT PROGRAMMES. OFFICERS ELECTED FOR SEASON. A very promising start on this year’s activity was made at the annual meeting of the Masterton Orchestral Society, held in the Savage Club roo.ms last night. There was a small but thusiastic attendance, the V A. E. Clemas being in the chair. AgrT logics for absence were received front Mesdames Clemas, A. Cooper and Mr J. Connell. The election of officers for the ensuing season resulted as follows: —President, Mr A. E. Clemas (re-elected); vice-presidents, Mesdames T. Jordan, N. H. Prior, Messrs G. W. Morice and A, E. Prentice; hon. secretary-treasur-er, Mr E. J. Bell (re-elected); committee, Mrs Clemas, Misses Beals, Cruickshank, Messrs H. E. Pither, J. Grey, Snowsill and C. W. Kerry; conductor Mr Kerry; librarian, Mr Grey. The president referred to the work carried out by Mr Bell during his long term of office, stating that he had been a tower of strength to the society. The balance sheet submitted by the treasurer showed the society to be in a healthy financial state. The poor support given by the public to the concerts was deplored by several members, the secretary observing that even a large number of free tickets handed out did not result in increased attendances. Mr Clemas said there seemed to be a feeling existing in the mind of the general public that, there were too many classics on the programme. “What they require is light popular items." added Mr Clemas.

“This is the only society in Masterton which does something to educate the public in musical taste," stated the conductor, Mr C. W. Kerry. He said the last two concerts embraced a large number of popular items. It was, however, still field against the society, that its items were too classical. "I think that it is the people who don’t go, and wouldn't go. in any case, who are responsible for that," he observed. Miss Cruickshank urged that the members pattern a campaign "on the lines of Dr. Goebbells." among their friends, to work up public interest. •• 'Education' is the most dangerous word which can be used in' music," stated Mr- Kerry, in reply to a point raised by Mr Clemas that people did not wish to be educated after their day’s work. He added that the programme for the first concert this year was a particularly good one. Mr Kerry, as conductor expressed his appreciation of the support received from members of the orchestra during the year and thanked the librarian for his services. Mr Clemas endorsed Mr Kerry's remarks, stating that the society owed Mr Grey a debt of gratitude. The first practise was fixed for Tuesday, April 2, at 7.30 o’clock, in the Savage Club rooms. A very pleasant time was spent at a social hour, following the meeting, at which-a tasty supper was served. The following is the programme for the concert to be held at a later date: "Poet and Peasant.” overture; “The Dream"; "To Spring" (Grieg); waltz by Theodore Lack; "Country Garden." "Shepherds Iley" (Percy Grainger); "Serenata” (Braga); "Columbine” (Wallace Smith); “Magic Love" (Lassen); "Whispering Flowers" (Von Bion); “Prelude" (Rachmaninoff); and incidental music to the play “M. Beaucaeu.”

The above programme, which has been specially selected, is expected to meet with general approval.