INSTRUCTION IN SINGING.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 4062, 29 August 1870, Page 3

INSTRUCTION IN SINGING.

To ths Editor of the Daily Southern Cross. Sir,— Noticing the marked difference between the singing of the amateur and professional singers at the Music Hall on Thursday, when tho defects of the one and the high cultivation of the other were brought into such streng contrast, it occurred to me that it would be a good thing if some provision were made to give our soloists the advantage of good tuition. Professional singers make the best of their voices, they neither slur nor hurry, they avoid putting emphasis on unmusical syllables, and thus there are no ugly burrrs and oooos. Then they study their compass and capability in the choice of their songs, and give due attention and expressiozi to pauses and grace notes. The _ strongest voice without attention to these things is not fit for solo singing, aud, of course, a weak voice, however cultivated, is equally ineffective. What wfl want then is power and cultivation ; and it appears to me that there should be a thoroughly efficient singing teacher in connection with the Choral Society, whose duty it should be to fit soloists to take their parts. His decision and verdict should be final, and it ought also to be impartially accorded to merit— and merit alone. Such a master > might bo paid by a concert yearly, or by fining absent members, or in some other Avay that should be arranged. Those benefiting by his instructions might pay something towards his salary if they could, but many with good voices are not well off, and, if their good singing helped the Society, it should be an equivalent for the lessons they leceive. I suggest this, as I think the Choral Society may find such a plan useful, and, I shall, therefore, feel obliged by your inserting this.— l am, &c, Musical.

To the Editor of the Dvily Southern Cross. Sir,— You avill obhge me by kindly publishing, at your earliest convenience, the result°of thft benetit given in the Panmure Hall on the lGlh instant to the widows and. orphans left by the loss of the s.s, ♦ Tauranga,' and by other recent accidents* :— Gross proceeds, £21 lla. ; expenses, £9 11a.; balance for distribution, £12.-1 am, #c, f H. J. Fynps, Catholic Pastor of Ho wick and Panmure. Ho wick, August 25, IS7O.