COMMUNITY SINGING.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 14 June 1924, Page 9

COMMUNITY SINGING.

Community singing has welded many hearts into tender unison. Once in' the American Civil War it thawed frigid barriers between''North-and South. ' .The two armies lay near each 'other. The massed Federal"bands struck up the "Star Spangled Banner," then the Confederates played "Dixie," The Federals replied with '"Hail, Columbia," and. then "Maryland, My Maryland"' came from the Southerners. "Yankee Doodle" followed from tho North, and the other side sent back "The Bonnie. Blue Flag." The "Battle Hymn of tho Republic" then woke the echoes of the surrounding hills, ■as the North kept up the musical rivalry. After. some- minutes of tense silence the Confederate bands began very softly "Home, Sweet Home," and the1 Northern bands joined in.' For th Q moment enmities were utterly forgotten. As the bands finished a tumult of applause broke'from both the Blue ami Grey lines, and then tho voices of the men in both armies were lifted in sweet- concord throughout the song that held a, universal charm. That was community singing. This high happiness ideal is aimed at during the "sings" this winter iv Wellington. The next will bo held in tho Concert Chamber on' Monday night.