TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2654, 9 November 1909, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

A very commendable feature of the Industrial and Art Musical Competi- Exhibition which -felons ovoiltiiu'fcGS 'Gflny next month is the introduction into the syllabus of a musical competition. A very success!ul series of competitions of tins lifttui c .took place in Napier a short time ago, and apart from the general interest manifested by the public in the various events, it was clearly demonstrated that the results brought music m its various branches into greater prominence and engendered a healthy riyaijy in the lesser practised branches of the art. Take for instance the practice and performance of quartet singing m

Gisborne. This form of concerted tinging is almost neglected, and it is a rare circumstance indeed to hear a nicely rendered quartet, or in fact any form of vocal concerted music at any of our entertainments. Then again our choirs languish for something out of the beaten track of rehearsing hymns and chants for the ensuing Sunday' services. Beautiful as some of this music undoubtedly is there is, nevertheless, a certain monotony in going through the same- form of practice week in and week out. It is thought that a competition such as it is proposed to include with the forthcoming exhibition w.il stimulate the members of the various choirs with a feeling of friendly rivalry, and the result cannot be otherwise than beneficial, not only to the choirs themselves, but for the uplifting of vocal music generally in the community. We have on .several occasions drawn attention to the lack of interest taken in part singing in this town, and it is a distinct reproach that Gisborne does not maintain a choral society of some kind. A striking contrast to this, however, is shown in the country, where a very flourishing society is now in existence which is all the more commendable .seeing the distance a number of the members have to travel to attend practices. Although an industrial exhibition seems to be hardly a fitting place to conduct competitions of this nature owing to the limitations of time and space, still there must be a beginning and we hope the musical people of the town and country will take the matter up with enthusiasm and give a firm indication to the promoters that something on a larger scale mav be evolved in the no distant future. There is unquestionably musical talent in the community and a fcries of well-managed competitions on the lines so successfully conducted m other towns should result in .the more general cultivation of this entrancing ait in its many branches. '*