Music Society

Since 1954 the Music Society has continued to sponsor live performances of music by both students and professional artists. We have enjoyed recitals by local musicians such as Jean McCartney and Donald Munro and also by chamber music groups like the Francis Rosner Ensemble. In 1956 J. S. Bach's Musical Offering was performed by Malcolm Latchem and Helen Palmer (violins), Glyn Adams and Ralph Aldrich (violas), Farquhar Wilkinson and Basil Charles (cellos), Suzanne Paykel (flute), and Susan Rhind (harpsichord).

Ralph Aldrich, ex-Chairman of the Music Society, was one of the brighter lights at student concerts for several years, and after graduating won the Violin Concerto prize at the Auckland competitions in 1956. Suzanne Paykel, at Victoria in 1956 and a member of the music committee, gave several enjoyable performances during the year and is now studying in London. Susan Rhind, a graduate of Victoria, has been around the College a number of years and featured in the City Council organ recitals in 1956. She has given good service to the Music Society as soloist and accompanist on the harpsichord.

1956 saw the birth of individuality in the Music Society. Constitutional changes, a student-run choir which is flourishing in 1957, and variations of programme, all helped to revitalise its activities. An evening of recorded Oriental music was held in conjunction with the International Club. For once the Music Room was completely transformed by Chinese lanterns and Oriental hangings. A change from black coffee was provided by an Indian supper.

More student compositions are finding their way into the Society's programmes, and it is to be hoped that a composer's group will be formed in order to have more of those works performed at the College. Peter Crowe, Victoria's twelve-note composer, had a composition performed at Victoria at the annual concert of the International Society for Contemporary Music"—welcome recognition for an undergraduate.