SUNDAY BAND PLAYING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8, 10 January 1902, Page 2

SUNDAY BAND PLAYING.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The letter of "An Observer of the Sabbath" will not, I am sure, appeal to the hearts of many of the working classes. He commences all right by praising the beauties of the park, then changes his tune and steels his heart with old time bigotry againist cheerful music, apparently simply because it was the Sabbath Day. Why on earth we should not be cheerful on the Day of Rest is an enigma to me. Surely he is one of the "unco' quid" who would not whistle on the Sabbath. (I will not include his better half in this surmise.) Ho is evidently familiar with operatic music, as he recognised many airs in "Pinafore," but many of the poorer citizens have not the chance of hearing operatic music, except on these occasions. He should have a little consideration for others less fortunate than himself. Does he object to the Salvation Army playing popular airs to their hymns on the Sabbath; or does he know that the tune of that grand old hymn, "Sun of My Soul," is taken from an opera? Or can he state the difference between secular and sacred music, apart from the words which usually accompany them. Let "An Observer of the Sabbath" remain indoors for six days attending to a family of seven children, ranging from two months to ten years, and I think he will be very glad to hear operatic music on tha Sabbath. The bands which play in the park are certainly appreciated by the majority of the citizens, who attend in great numbers and enjoy the cheerful music. The one thing lacking is the insufficiency of seats, which no doubt will be remedied in time. —I am, etc., BILL NYE'S WIPE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I see by this evening's "Star" some unhappy individual is breaking his heart, as it were, because of the band breaking the "Sawbath," as he puts it, last Sunday at the Albert Park. Now, I was there also, and never enjoyed masel' so much before, and consider almost all music sacred; it is the wording that is sometimes inappropriate. Take the Salvation Army for instance. They often phvy such popular airs as "The Old Rustic Bridge," "Yankee Doodle," "Rule, Britannia," and such like, but differ ent words, of course; consequently they are not looked upon as Sawbath breakers; and as we did not hear the words of the pieces played last Sun* day we may at least give the band the benefit of the doubt. Had an observer of the Sawbath remained or lingered longer with his better gjia^f

ter he tight "We'd better, W Jeanie, and gang awa, as we save our bawbees. I v6 We t folk to vacate a c,o^™ sometimes in church also for the same reason a fl^ Ue Sv e enaone lfpel >™ £Jk I doubt whether we should have quite so *any enjoying the pretty Sowers and pleasant breeze- under the trees.-! am, etc., CUMMINGS<

(To the Editor.) Sir _l once heard the head ot a large relSus and philanthropic bociy says &»_ "he failed to see why the devil should have all the best music"; that, he said, was the reason why the bands of his organisation played popular melodies on the,B££ bath day. Perhaps the same feelmg_ prompted the local band-which pel formed on Sunday last-to do like wise. However, I trust your - cone spondent's admonition will have the desired effect, thereby inducing my fellow-bandmasters to refrain from performing any music which is cheerful, on the Sabbath, but rather that which is dirge-like, as befits the sol emn natures of "An Observer of the Sabbath and. His Better Half. -1 am, etc., A BANDMASiER.