asked the Minister for Education if he will state the number of conductors engaged to conduct the several courses at the 1946 Summer School of Music; the number of such conductors who are (a) Irish nationals and (b) non-nationals; whether efforts were made, and if so what efforts, to secure Irish conductors for all the courses; and if not, whether he will state the grounds on which it was decided that only non-nationals would be engaged to conduct these courses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School of Music Conductors.
Mr. Corish
The number of conductors engaged to conduct the several courses at the Summer School of Music is six, none of whom is an Irish national. It was considered advisable in the case of this initial course to give the teacher-students an opportunity of familiarising themselves, as far as possible at first hand, with the aims and methods of musical instruction elsewhere as expounded by distinguished choirmasters, orchestral conductors, composers and instrumental performers from other countries. Having regard to that fundamental consideration, I am satisfied that the arrangements made are the best and most suitable in the circumstances.
I may add that, in arranging the details of the course, I had the benefit of the judgment and advice of an advisory committee composed almost entirely of distinguished Irish musicians, who willingly placed their time, experience and knowledge at the disposal of my Department.