MUSIC IN HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17383, 20 April 1928, Page 9

MUSIC IN HAMILTON.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The thanks of the musiclovers of Hamilton are due to you for your sub-leader deploring the unsatisfactory condition * our musical societies. Whether the reason lias been as given by your correspondent “Observer,” lack of organisation, or whether it lias been lack of leadership, the fact remains that we are as a community a musical failure. Our Orchestral Society’s concerts were, to put it mildly, poorly attended; our Choral Society died from want of public interest; and, as one of your correspondents stales, in order to live our Municipal Band had lo sink its individuality and merge with the Military’Band. Now, this band was run by a citizens’ committee; no want, of organisation here, and I am sure “Observer” will be surprised to know that at band concerts given by our bands lho poor sum of £3 lias been collected. I could cite a number of benelit concerts given with star performers, the best talent that we possess, and the results financially have been heart-breaking. No, the reason of our musical sloth is not lark of organisation; if is that something that portrays itself in our public life, in fact in all our institutions, it is want of public pride. We have only to look at the number of voters that voted at the last-municipal by-election to com-

prehend how stagnant we have become. However, it is to be hoped that a new era has dawned and at last public interest has been awakened. We boast we have the musical talent; let us prove Ibe boast. 1 was talking to an old friend of mine the other day, and be recounted an experience that he had when boarding with a Welsh family. He told me they sang in the morning, they sang at dinner time, and they sang until late at night. It was music, music, all the day. But ne said it was glorious. Of course these Welshmen train their children. Here is where we fail—we do not. Until this is remedied we will be. as we are, i a community without a soul for music. —1 am. etc., OLD TIMER.