The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 308, 30 December 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1867.

We imagine that few persons will be hardy enough to contradict us when we state our deliberate opinion that the style in which the musical portions of the service are conducted in any of the various places of worship" in this city is, to say the least, by no means so satisfactory as it might be. This fact, we*have every reason to believe, arises from a twofold source. In the first place, it is a singular paradox that, although everyone is ready to acknowledge the great importance of good music as an | -. adjunct to Divine worship, everyone is equally ready to find fault if it be not pro- I perly performed, and yet at the same time so few are willing to come forward and render the least assistauce towards that end. Nothing is more common than to hear it remarked that 'the music was •wretched at church, to-day/ or if ' they can't sing better than that, they had better give it up altogether.' Yet the critics in these cases are almost invariably persons who never have rendered, or ever do iu--tend to render, the smallest assistance towards its improvement. All honor to those who, in spite of such discouragement, . 'have not been deterred from offering their best, imperfect though it be, to the Divine service. The second and principal cause of rthese shortcomings however probably resides in the fact that comparatively so very few amongst those who would otherwise be inclined to assist in the choral services -of the different congregations in this city, •possess a competent kuowledge of music to render them at all efficient in such a position. The Harmonic Society, an excellent institution in its aims and the influence which, it undoubtedly excercises upon the musical taste of the community, is not calculated to meet the requirement to . which we hove alluded, inasmuch as it does not ■ embrace amongst the objects which it seeks to obtain, any rudimentary instruction in music, and none but advanced musicians can hope to render effective service in the performances of the Society. We are aware that this want has not gone unrecognised, and more than one attempt has been made to meet the requirement, but thesej for one reason or another, have not met with that success to which they were entitled. A fresh effort is now about to be made, which, if supported as it deserves to be, will, we . . confidently believe, go far to remedy the deficiencies to which we have called attention in this article. We allude to a proposal by Mr E. B. Walcot to commence an elementary class for instruction 'in singing at the beginning of the new year, which the pupils may be enabled to '■'■ gain a thorough acquaintance both with the theory and practice of vocal music, /•''■ and also an advanced class for the study .and practice of choral harmony. The use C:bf the practice-room lately erected by the A Society has, we understand, been ;. /obtained for these classes, and the terms ;s<of subscription are so low that no person f.i^an- excuse himself or herself from joining on the score of expense, whilst the I f^instruction, which is proposed to be given j so thoroughly practical a nature, be§?jgiDimng; with the first rudiments of the £-ar^;thai£ should the scheme, meet with the v^fjmtr^age wJaich it unquestionably merit3-r ;Jb.ear^that/there is every probability j Ij^l^^ conn- 1 !||j&]Bnti^^ fofj;ya Jew; ||>,f|^tiis ;|ilre ; |jhojrli ; of;tlie;yarious^ctm7Ghes;; i

in Nelson will be in a much more satisfactory, condition than they are at present. But the object of these classes is not restricted solely to the improvement of the music in our churches, they are also intended to embrace within their scope the practice of such compositions, both sacred and secular, which, while they offer an innocent and never-failing recreation, will tend to elevate the taste of the people, whicb, we may say under correction, does not attaia a very high standard at the , present time. These, then, appear to be the aims and objects of the two classes which Mr Walcot proposes to start, and through them the public are offered the means of improving their music, both ecclesiastical and secular, and of providing for themselves perhaps the most invaluable means of relaxation from daily toil which has been placed at the disposal of man. For these reasons we heartily wish Mr Walcot all possible success in his undertaking, and shall hope to hear that his subscription list has attaiued such goodly proportions as shall justify him in commencing his classes forthwith.