SUNDAY CONCERTS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13170, 17 July 1908, Page 10

SUNDAY CONCERTS.

TO TOT EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir, —-Seeing in your issue of Tuesday the Ministers' Association have appointed a deputation to wait on the City Council to protest against Sunday concerts in a licensed building. I would like to point out the fact, that while, they strongly oppose these concerts being given by an outside body, they arc actually holding them in their own buildings, the members of at least ono suburban church, after the usual service, adjourn to tho Sunday spboolroom for music. Again, your issue of Saturday last contains a report of the quarterly meeting of the Durham street circuit, protesting against Sunday concerts, and in tho next colunin they notify that Miss Caldow will sing at tho Durham street Church on Sunday evening- Ts this consistency? It seems a iwint is being made by termini; these concerts "band concerts," but having followed the whole matter very closely since the Band Association first approached the Council in the matter, T find from reports published from time to time, that it is the intention of tho committee to give an almost entirely vocal programme. I contend it would be in the best interests of tho city if these concerts were held, ar, they Mould prove an attraction to hundreds of young people of both sexes, who now wander about ■ the streets, and a programme of sacred and classical musical-could not fail to have a beneficial effect. There are numbers our churches do not, and never will, attract, and those may bo seen any Sabbath evening, gathered round any orators who may be airing their own pet grievances at our street corners. Other towns not only permit these concerts to be given, but many, as in.tho case of the Wellington City Council, support them by giving a subsidy. Trusting the Council will give tho Musical Carnival Committee the permission they ask, and thus confer a boon on the citizens by enabling them to hear classical music on their day of rest. —Yours, etc., MUSIC.