Western Australia), 1900-1950
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 2007 An investigation of musical life and music societies in Perth (Western Australia), 1900-1950 Jessica Sardi Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Other Music Commons, and the Work, Economy and Organizations Commons Recommended Citation Sardi, J. (2007). An investigation of musical life and music societies in Perth (Western Australia), 1900-1950. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1290 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1290 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. Youe ar reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. Where the reproduction of such material is done without attribution of authorship, with false attribution of authorship or the authorship is treated in a derogatory manner, this may be a breach of the author’s moral rights contained in Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Courts have the power to impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions for infringement of copyright, infringement of moral rights and other offences under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. An Investigation of Musical Life and Music Societies in Perth (Western Australia), 1900-1950 A Dissertation Submitted to the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts Edith Cowan University In Candidacy for the Degree of Bachelor of Performing Arts Honours By Jessica Sardi 2007 The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. Declaration I certifythat this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief: 1. incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education; 2. contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due referenceis made in the text; or 3. contain any defamatory material. I also grant permission forthe Libraryat Edith Cowan University to make duplicate copies of my thesis,eS requi:t;ed. I Signed: Date: l S / I 2.-(0 f 111 Acknowledgments I would like to thank everyone who has helped me put together this piece of research. Thanks to my supervisors, Dr. Jonathan Paget and Stewart Smith, as well all the lecturers in music at W AAPA who have taught me over the years. I'd also like to say thanks to all my Honours classmates. You are a fantastic bunch of musicians and it has been a pleasure sharing this experience with you all. Finally, I would like to say thanks to my family, who have been supportive throughout the whole year, and special thanks to my mum for accompanying me to the Battye Library on several occasions as well as assisting with the printing and binding of this thesis. iv Contents Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... iv Contents ....................................................................................... :............................................. v List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ vi Chapter One: A History of Music-Making in Perth, Western Australia, 1900-1950 ................ 1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 1 Part One - Literature Review ................................................................................................ 3 Part Two - A Brief History of Music in Perth, 1900-1950 ................................................... 6 1900s- Leckie Moves to Town ........................................................................................ 8 191 Os - Leckie Dominates ................................................................................................ 9 1920s- The Community Singing Craze ......................................................................... 11 1930s- The First Professional Music Body in Perth ..................................................... 14 1940s- Music in the School Education System ............................................................. 16 Post 1950s- The Time has Come .................................................................................. 17 Chapter Two: Musical Life in Perth in 1920 as Told by The West Australian Newspaper ..... 20 Printed Press in Western Australia, 1920 ............................................................................ 21 Economic and Social Factors .............................................................................................. 22 Newspaper Content ............................................................................................................. 23 Reviews ............................................................................................................................... 26 The Data .............................................................................................................................. 26 Venues ................................................................................................................................. 27 Genre's of Music ................................................................................................................. 37 Band Concerts ................................................................................................................. 37 Mixed Concerts and Successful Societies ...................................................................... 40 Organ Recitals ................................................................................................................ 41 International Artists ........................................................................................................ 43 Australian Artists ............................................................................................................ 44 Telegraphic Advice on Moiseiwitsch .................................................................................. 45 Chapter Three: Case Studies Using the Private Archives of Three Perth Music Societies ..... 47 Part One - Metropolitan Liedertafel ................................................................................... 49 Part Two - Kylie Music Club ............................................................................................. 52 Part Three - Chamber Music Society of Western Australia ............................................... 56 Part Four- Developments of Music Associations .............................................................. 59 Comparison of the Three Associations ........................................................................... 59 Conclusion: The Impact of Popular Music on Local Music Societies ............................ 61 Appendix 1: Sample Articles from The West Australian, 1920 ............................................. 63 Appendix 2: Archive Inventories ........................................................................................... 66 Appendix 3: Metropolitan Liedertafel Rules .......................................................................... 72 Appendix 4: The Constitution of the Kylie Music Club ........................................................ 73 Appendix 5: The Constitution of the Chamber Music Society of Western Australia ............ 75 Appendix 6: Reviews of First Concerts in The West Australian ............................................ 77 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 79 v List of Figures Figure 1.1: Alexander Joseph Leckie ......................................................... 10 Figure 2.1: Amusement on July 3 .............................................................25 Figure 2.2: Amusement on July 22 ............................................................25 Figure 2.3: Queens Hall ........................................................................ 33 Figure 2.4: The inside of Queens Hall ........................................................ 34 Figure 2.5: The Savoy Hotel ................................................................... 34 Figure 2.6: His Majesty's Theatre ............................................................. 35 Figure 2.7: The Lyceum Theatre, Mount Lawley ........................................... 36 Figure 2.8: Map of relevant venues in 1920 ................................................. 36 Figure 2.9: Band Concert notice as it appeared in the entertainment column on July 24 .............................................................· ................................. 38 Figure 2.10: Hugh McMahon, conductor ofMcMahon's Concert Band ............... .38