N.S.W. STATE ORCHESTRA

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14258, 8 January 1920, Page 3

N.S.W. STATE ORCHESTRA

HI«T®«Y »F ITS FCRMATIOM. IL was in I Pi* \• tv South Wales decided to have n Stale Conservalorium in Sydney, and in reply ,to world-wide advertising for a director they secured 173 applicants. Mr Verbrugghen was appointed to the position simultaneously and independently by a London committee and one in Sydney. He, therefore, gave up his position at Glasgow Athenaeum School of Music, where he was responsible for the opera classes, the orchestral classes, chamber music classes, and the violin school ,as well as being conductor of the Glasgow Choral Union of 350 voices. When he arrived at the conservatoriurn in Sydney, he had to begin his duties by ordering structural alterations and getting suitable furnishings introduced. It was on March 6, 1916, that the new conservalorium was. opened, and an orchestra formed on small lines. Four concerts were given during the first year. Receiving great public support and being untrammelled by tradition, which he considers spells death to originality, he was able to extend rapidly, until to-day he has an orchestra of 80 members, mainly comprising some of the professors at the conservatorium and some of the enthusiastic students who are now under his chargethere. At the erid of 1918 he announced to the Government that he could go no further unless the ’orchestra was placed on a permanent basis. This suggestion was approved, and the Government gave him a guarantee of £12,000 against loss. The first year under the new arrangement does not terminate until February next, but already the year’s work shows a substantial -profit. During the season of ten months just completed in Sydney no fewer than 73 concerts were given. The present tour has been arranged and guaranteed privately, but Mr Verbrugghen is keenly anxious that the national aspect of the whole matter ; should be seriously considered, as he sees every prospect of a similar orchestra in this country meeting with unqualified success. |