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Robert Perks (c. 1920 – July 2005) was a New Zealand music educator, conductor, composer and multi-instrumentalist. He founded the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music in 1955 and served as its musical director until 1975.[1]. Perks was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music education in 1985[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Perks studied instrumental music and harmony under Vernon Griffiths at Dunedin Technical College, specialised in music at Dunedin Teachers' Training College, and received a University of Otago music bursary. He completed a Bachelor of Music degree in 1941 and gained the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music diploma in organ in 1944.[3]
Career
[edit]In 1945, Perks became music master at Christchurch Technical College, where he worked for eight years before joining Christchurch Teachers’ College in 1955.[4] He had broad experience teaching young people and wrote two school music publications that were widely used in New Zealand schools.[4] In 1955, Perks began an experimental instrumental scheme for 50 primary-school pupils under a subcommittee of the Primary Schools’ Music Festival Association. The scheme aimed to provide affordable group tuition and practical experience of orchestral playing. This grew quickly and became the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music (later the Christchurch School of Music | Te Kura Puoro), which regularly celebrates its founding by Robert Perks in 1955.
Perks was also an award-winning composer, winning the composition competition run by the Canterbury Centennial Association in 1950[5], among other awards. An Allegro was performed by the Christchurch Chamber Music Players in 1952[6]. He regularly composed music for young musicians to play. [1]
Books by Robert Perks
[edit]Robert perks wrote a series of books for music teachers, learners and families. They were published by AH and AW Reed, prolific New Zealand publishers. The series was called Music in School, A modern approach in the classroom. Book 1 was the Teacher's Manual, book 2 was Short Score, and book 3 was The Main Progression (for beginners) Supplementary Parts. The series included scores for playing in groups for different instruments including recorder (descant), cello, bass, B Flat clarinet, percussion, melodica and autoharp, chime bar, and guitar. He also wrote Music Making in School and Home, also published by Reeds in 1965.[7]
Honours and legacy
[edit]Perks was awarded life membership of the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music in 1974. At the time the newspaper, The Press, commented, "The success attending Mr Perks's efforts has aroused interest abroad, and the numbers of players in orchestras from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra downwards, who began their training in the C.S.I.M. orchestras, is sufficient tribute to the worth of the training. They and the many hundreds of others who owe their present love of music and attendant broadening of their experiences to Mr Perks and his work must be a constant satisfaction to him in his retirement."[8]
He continued to conduct former pupils at the school’s 25th-anniversary celebrations in 1980, conducting the CSIM Alumnae Orchestra.[9] He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music education in the 1985, and his legacy is recognised through the Robert Perks Scholarship.[10] He died in July 2005, aged 85.[11]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Jennings, John (1988). Let the Children Play: A 25-Year History of the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music. University of Canterbury.
- ↑ Hansen, B. R. (5 January 1985). "Award to Musician". The Press. p. 12.
- ↑ "NZ Composers' Festival - Centennial Composition of Robert Perks". The Press. 15 September 1952. p. 9.
- 1 2 "Pupils 9 Orchestras To Give Concert". The Press. 1 July 1969. p. 10.
- ↑ "Awards in NZ Composers' Contest". Greymouth Evening Star. 2 September 1950. p. 2.
- ↑ "Works by NZ Composers - Concert in the Civic Theatre". The Press. 22 September 1955. p. 3.
- ↑ Perks, Robert (1965). Music Making in School and Home (1st ed.). 182 Wakefield Street, Wellington: A H Reed & A W Reed. pp. Inside back cover.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location (link) - ↑ "Fine Progress shows in young orchestras". The Press. 7 August 1978. p. 6.
- ↑ Pattinson, John. "Spirited concert by C.S.I.M. orchestras". The Press. p. 6.
- ↑ Newson, Helga (12 August 1978). "Christchurch School of Instrumental Music [advertisement for donations to the Robert Perks scholarship]". p. 25.
- ↑ "Music Educator Dies at 85". The Press. 27 July 2005. p. 11.