Nelson Centre of Musical Arts board member gives his take on new name

Thursday, 17 May 2018

The Nelson Civic Choir rehearsing for Handel's Messiah in the newly refurbished Nelson School of Music auditorium.

OPINION: Michael Balling was a visionary, who in 1894, forever changed the musical life of Nelson. He transformed the then-named Nelson Harmonic Society into the Nelson School of Music. His vision was to create a European-style conservatoire, a music centre for all Nelsonians, where community groups could learn, play and listen to music and so it was.

Four years ago I'm on record as saying the school was suffering its worst crisis in 120 years.

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts Trustee, Roger Taylor, chats with architect Andrew Irving, during the NCMA Heritage Tour.

Looking back, I think that assertion was accurate. Student numbers had been decreasing for several years, fewer concerts were being produced featuring local performers, the school was closed because of earthquake risk and despite a generous grant from the Rātā Foundation and considerable encouragement from the Nelson City Council progress towards a resolution seemed elusive.

In the second half of 2014 a refreshed trust board took control and the transformation within four years has been nothing short of remarkable. Not only has the heritage auditorium been strengthened and refurbished, but a whole new fully functional music centre has been established on the site which will see the institution in good stead for its next 100 years of operation. The Cawthron Organ, donated to the school in 1913, has been fully refurbished and furthermore, many heritage features removed in the 1970s have been reinstated.

In recent days concern has been voiced about the change of name to the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, which I can understand and accept. This shows a strong sense of connection with the school and a healthy respect for heritage aspects of what is a unique New Zealand institution.

Speaking for myself, the Nelson School of Music and the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts have been a central part of my life for over 30 years. I am utterly passionate about its past and its future and I am comfortable with the name change. Let me explain why because I suspect that when people more fully understand the reasoning behind the changes and that the name 'Nelson School of Music' is, literally, preserved in stone, that they will embrace the name of the new centre.

Without question the heritage nature of the Nelson School of Music has been enhanced following the redevelopment project. It has been restored to its original grandeur and aspects of the new build, such as the foyer glass wall revealing the previously concealed auditorium wall, is an example of how careful the architects have been to preserve and showcase the auditorium's heritage features. Two external plaster naming signs are being restored to further associate the building with its rightful name. The heritage buildings will still be known as the Nelson School of Music and I'm sure people will still talk about 'going down to the School of Music', which will be entirely accurate.

However the name 'Nelson School of Music' no longer accurately reflects the broader aspects of its operation and this is especially so now that the heritage buildings are part of a much more comprehensive music centre. It is also true that having the word 'school' in our name has proved an impediment in funding applications and in many respects the school has always frustratingly fallen down the cracks between education and arts funding.

The recent editorial about the name change noted that actions speak louder than words, that the centre had to prove itself by connecting with more people, that it needed to prove itself as a musical hub for the Nelson community. Such statements inaccurately used a future tense - the centre is already doing just that.

Since closure in December 2013 we have tripled student numbers and introduced many more opportunities for the people of Nelson to connect with music. New musical pathways have been established and many self-produced concerts have been scheduled. Within just a few weeks of opening I believe the centre is delivering more outcomes to its community than it has ever done.

On a Tuesday afternoon last week, several orchestras and ensembles gathered at the centre to practice, three choirs rehearsed and many students attended lessons. In just one afternoon you would have observed hundreds of 5 to 95 year olds from all socio-economic backgrounds engaging in music of many different genres at the centre.

What would Balling have thought about all of this? I imagine he would have been thrilled and, as a visionary, would have fully embraced and applauded the concept of a new Nelson Centre of Musical Arts.

I invite anyone who has reservations about any changes made at the centre to come and visit, to talk with us and to experience this wonderful community asset, or better still, come and experience the joy of music which has now returned to our city.

* Bob Bickerton is a past Director of the Nelson School of Music and is about to retire as a member of its trust board. He is currently manager of the Adam Chamber Music Festival and was awarded an MNZM for services to music in 2015. This article represents his personal opinion.