CHORAL SOCIETY WORK.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 142, 18 July 1929, Page 13

CHORAL SOCIETY WORK.

"MUSIC LOVER."

To the Editor. Sir, — Now that the first conecrt of the Napier Choral Society is over 1 should like to say a few words about choral music in general. Tliat the existence of a choral society in this town is justified is evidenced by tuo fact that there is a packed house at every c-oncert. And is it not deplorable to tliinlc that there are so mauy young smgers in this town who do not assist i:i any way? We sco from time to time recitals given hy different singing teachers, and young singers blossom fc.rtli on theso occasions and tlion sink into oblivion once more, and such a thing as joining up with tlie choral society apparently never enters their heads, whetlier it is because thev aro advised by their teachers not to do so L* a question I cannot answer. It might be interesting for our young singers to know that most of our leadi"g soloists in New Zealand have servv'ci their time singing in the chorus of clioral societies in the various centres and it is probably owing to the knowledge gained in this way and the trainiug tliey received, that they are now able to give such pleasure in their solo work. I do not think that we realise the great joy and advantage gained from concerted singing, and tbe musieal knowledge one gains in a society of this kind is invalnable. It is a necessary education for all who hope to reach anywhere in the singing world. IHany excuses are offered that people are too busy and have not tlie time to spare. But we are all busy and where there is a will there is a way. I. am sure there are not many husier people than the Choral Society' s pianiste, for example, and she finds time to play^for us for the sake of fostering the love of *good music. It was pleasing to note that bur late conductor, Mr Tonibs, found tiiiie to help U5 in the orchestra. If we are to keep our Choral Society going and put on music worth while, we must be prepared to sacrifice a little time to it. There are too many people who are iust prepared to come and sit and listen to the elforts of the Choral Society — those who could help — -and offer plenty of destruetive criticism, but they are not prepared to come and assist thcmselves and tlius remedy the defects. While I am on this topic I

would like to say that for the nuuiber that are in the society the volume is too small and the reason is obvious. I would suggest that belore the practices commence for the second concert the conductor and a small selection cortimittee test the voices — a practice whicli is general in other choral societies and which is most essentiai. We realise that there are earnest people with a strong love of music who are keen supporters of the Choral Society and who are regular attenders — all praise to them — but if their voices are not as good as they onoe were and are not ot a great material assistance, would it not he wiser for them to step aside? Take for instance, the number of sopranos. I would say in all sincerity and in constructive criticism tbat for tlie number of sopranos the volume is far too sinai]. T am not 6Uggesting an age limit should be made — age sliould be no bar so long as a person has the voice. But something sliould really be done in the matter of sifting out some who are obviously "passengers." Jt is done in other centres, so wh.v not in Napier? This might probably induce other singers to jom up. 1 liave mentioned the ladies and 1 now have a few words to say ahout the men. Tf we are to do choral work, and not tuni the Choral Society into a ladies' choir, we must have the^ suppcrt of the men. We liave a faithful few. and also a few others who turn up to a practice or two, hut how can a conductor do tlie work he wants to under those conditions? We usually attrihute small pettiness to the female section, hut it looks as though we sliall have to give the men their share if they insist on keeping up a difference of several years' standing. No doubt there were faults on both sides, hut why not be men and bury tlie hatehet? There is too much of tliis kind of thing and it is to be deplored. In all walks of life there is always something to rub us the wrong .way — there is always someone or something we don't like, but we must try to he hroad-minded and overlook these tlimgs for the sake of a good cause. Anotlier matter which might be impioved is the arrangeinent of the choir and the orcliestra. As we have not a large choir, we should make the best of what we liave, and with the presciit arrangement that is impossible, as the sound from eitber side goes into the wings and is lost to the audience.

A more circular arrangement of the seats would he much better. Cannot the society alford tlieir own seats instcad of making the best of berrowed ones? Something should be done in this dfa-ection. Tlie orchestra might also he brought forward by erecting a platform over the-well. I believe this was done with great success a year or so ago. It is a little extra hother certainly, but is it not worth it? If this were done I am sure a great improvement would he noticed. The society is fortunate in possessing for its conductor such an enthusiast as Mi Lance Craig. He is to bo congratulated on tlie success of his first ccncert as it was no easy task. It is to be regretted that the society had chosen such a difficult piece for his first effort, as he certainly did not have the time or the material to do justice to either liimself of 'the work. Those who are fortunate in belonging to the society can honestly say they are privileged to have tlie opportunity of furthering their musieal knowledne under such an able conductor. With best wishes for further successes from tlie Napier Choral Society. — I am etc.,

Napier, July 12, 1929.