IN THE WEST INDIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

IN THE WEST INDIES

NATIVES’ INTEREST IN MUSIC EXPERIENCES OF EXAMINER Since he left New Zealand in January for America, Dr. J. Frederick Staton, conductor of the Sheffield Choir, England, who arrived in Wellington last week, has travelled roughly about 30,000 miles, says the Dominion. His business as an examiner for the Royal Colleges of Music took him to the West Indies for 12 weeks —to Jamaica, San Domingo, Hayti, right down to Port of Spain in Trinidad, and on to Georgetown, in British Guiana. In visiting these places Dr. Staton used the air, and found it a delightful way of travelling. In these parts the students who sat for examination were mostly West Indians, and, of course, blackskinned. “ Most of them were pianoforte students. They are very intelligent for the most part, and have a keen sense of rhythm, and were rather nervous in disposition when it came to the examination,” said Dr. Staton. “But not all are nervous. Let me tell you of one coloured gentleman named Atkinson, a native of Demarara in British Guiana. Though over 40

years of age lie presented himself for examination in the primary pianoforte class, usually for children of eight or nine years of age. From the outset I could see he was hopeless, but I let him go through. “ At the end he said:—“ By golly, I have enjoyed that examination, doctor. Do you know, doctor, my wife gave birth to a baby man this morning, and I have taken the libery of christening him John Frederick Staton Atkinson.’ Well, what could I say? Great Interest In Cricket “ But the practice is not unusual in that part of the world,” continued Dr. Staton. “ They are terribly keen on cricket. Even the bare-footed boys get together, with bits of wood and an old ball, and organise a proper game of cricket, keeping the score correctly on a dirty piece of paper, and arranging the bowling in overs. The people frequently christen their children with the full names of famous cricketers, and if you searched long enough you would probably find a Pelhame Warner or Don Bradman among the Christian names of West Indian folk. “ As to their capacity in the absorption of cultural music, I need only recall the case of Mr Goode, of Kingston, Jamaica, a coloured man who has never been off the island, yet who has a fine choir, and conducted the Brahms’ “ Requiem ” really well. In that city, too, a great work is being done in the singing and recording of the folk songs of the West Indians. They are different from those of the United States, but the rhythm of these quaint, and sometimes rude songs, was very interesting indeed.”