COMMUNITY SINGING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23362, 30 November 1937, Page 5

COMMUNITY SINGING

POPULARITY STILL INCREASING PAST SEASON REVIEWED The increasing popularity of community singing in Dunedin was revealed at the final meeting for the year of the Dunedin Community Singing Committee yesterday afternoon, when a comprehensive report of the 1937 season was presented The chairman (Mr W. R. Sinclair) presided. ANNUAL REPORT Both from the point of view of singing and financial returns, the committee had every reason to be proud of the wonderful season of community singing. As in the past (the annual report stated), the'"sings" were held in the Strand Theatre by courtesy of Messrs Fuller-Hayward (through Mr John Hamer), and on every occasion large audiences were present In fact, on several Fridays numbers were-un-able to gain admission. The singing had been exceptionally good, and hundreds of letters from all over New Zealand had been received from list-eners-in congratulating the Dunedin singers. Mr H. P. Desmoulins, the leader, was to be congratulated on his success. The receipts for the 25 " sings," including the amount brought forward (£lO 17s sd), totalled £IO9B 3s, as against £919 13s 4d, an increase of £l7B 9s Bd. The expenses for the year were £227 16s 7d, as against £204 10s, the increase being for extra advertising for special appeals. This year three "special" appeals were made, and the committee handed to the King George V Memorial Fund £109.1s 9d, the Plunket Society £2lO 0s 6d, the Johnston quadruplets £IOO, the Mayor's Fund £350, and the Mayoress's Christmas Cheer Fund £BS. It was resolved to carry forward £l6 4s 2d. During the year the trioMessrs Desmoulins, Pettitt, and Himburg—again visited the country towns to conduct " sings " for worthy objects. " Sings" were conducted at Milton, Gore (twice). Timaru, Oamaru, Roxburgh, Mosgiel, Port Chalmers, and Green Island, and these efforts resulted in over £3OO being collected, as against £2OO last year. With Dunedin's total, the grand total for 1937 was £1398 3s. A "special" day for the Mayoress's Christmas Cheer Fund was held in the Strand Theatre and £BS was collected. Big Brother Bill was deserving of a special word of praise for his effort. The final " sing " of the season was held in the Town Hall on November 8, when scenes of great enthusiasm were witnessed. The trio—Messrs H. P. Desmoulins, J. F. Himburg, and Alf. Pettitt—was in charge, with Mr Harry Marsden assisting with the " cheerios." Begg's orchestra ' again assisted. There was no doubt that the popularity of the "sings" was increasing, and this was clearly shown by the fact that in 1931 £74 0s lOd was the total amount of .the receipts; in 1932, £164 2s 9d; 1933, £399 10s; 1934, £6OO 6s; 1935, £666 3s 4d; 1936, £919 13s 4d; and 1937, £IO9B 3s. The committee was proud of the fact that the whole of the amount contributed was voluntary and from sales of articles sent in, and no money had been raised by raffles or games of chance. The committee was unanimously of the opinion that v/hat the people wanted was singing and enjoyment. The object of the " sings" was to give pleasure not only to those attending, but also to patients in hospitals, the sick, and others unable to. attend. The financial aspect had been, a secondary consideration, and the committee felt that if it could give pleasure for an hour, then its object had been attained and its efforts rewarded. Thanks were due to the leader, Mr Desmoulins, whose work had been untiring; to Mr Pettitt for his services as pianist, and to Mr Himburg as secretary and organiser. OBJECTS FULFILLED " The Community Singing Committee was originally formed for the purpose of giving cheer to the people of Dunedin, whether they were sad or poor," Mr Sinclair said, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, "and so long as it fulfils this object the committee will be completely satisfied, I have no doubt that this objeot is being achieved, for the amount of money raised alone shows that the committee's work is being appreciated and fulfilling a service to the public. The money raised affords another way of giving cheer to people, and I feel that the 'sings' should be continued."

Mr Sinclair emphasised the great interest the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) showed in the committee's work, this being demonstrated by his attendance at the weekly sessions and also at the committee's meetings. The speaker concluded by thanking those helpers who attended the . sessions every week but did not appear In the limelight. ' Mr W. A. Scott seconded the motion.

The Mayor said that any thought the members of the committee had that its career was at an end should be put right out of their minds. The community " sings " had been primarily for the purpose of giving cheer to people during the depression. He was convinced that the sessions should be permanent fixtures, as they were greatly enjoyed by the people who attended, as well as thousands all over the Dominion. The committee should not cease its activities because good times were being experienced, and, even though there was not the same need for raising funds for the relief of distress, the value of being able to give contributions to deserving bodies was inestimable. Dunedin citizens, he said, were proud of the "sings," the Organising Committee, and the trio in charge. He himself was extremely gratified at what had been done during the depression and what the committee was still doing. After several speakers had referred in appreciative terms to the work of Messrs Desmoulins, Himburg, and Pettitt, the report was adopted.