The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-11-09
Band Music.

whose abilities as a musician are now IA
vorably known in our community, was
engaged to organize and instruct Mill
tarv Band. a number of Hawaiian youth
were placed under his care, from whom
to make selections, after they should have
shown by some practice upon the instru-
ments. that they had the inclination as
well as the talent to become good per
formers Sufficient progress has been
made to indicate that the material for
good Band is in hand, and last week,
therefore, the organization was perfected
by the enlistment of twelve permanent
members. These viii be increased as OPP
portunity offers, until the Band Master
shall have obtained his full quota of mem
bers. They drill regularly every day,
and are making such progress that we
may soon expect to hear them outside of
their drill-room.
At the last session of the Legislative
Assembly, it was determined to devote
portion of the Military Appropriation to
the forming and maintaining Of a Band.
1t was believed that sufficient number
of Hawaiians might be brought together,
who, under a course of instruction by a
competent master, and the conditions of
long engagement for the service, could be
educated up to the creditable performance
of the best music, and, at the same time,
supply deficiency that has long existed
on military and civic occasions, when band
music is required.
A Band in Honolulu, as a convenience
on private occasions, and as a means of
enjoyment to the public at large, can be
easily appreciated, the more so, by the
remembrance of the outdoor concerts that
have of late been given by the Bands
attached to war-ships that have visited
this port
The Band of Kamehameha III,-whose
performances at the levees at the Palace,
and on other occasions, have now nearly
passed out of public remembrance,-has
entirely disappeared, not more than two
members we believe being at present
alive. the leader-Mr Mersberg, is living
on Hawaii, where he is now engaged in
instructing a volunteer Band Of twelve
instruments, with very great credit to
himself as band-master; the other PAUL.,
is attached to the troops as bugler, and
is also employed as teacher of music in
in the common schools.
Since the dissolution of this Band, how
ever, the Hawaiians have made considera-
bic progress in the knowledge of music,
and its practice, both vocal and instru
mental. Choir singing, and the render
ing of church music especially, has greatly
improved over that OF old times, so that
now, throughout the rural districts, may
be heard in the churches, singing that
would have been esteemed very creditable
in the sea-ports twenty years ago.
How great the improvement has been,
may be seen in the music regularly per
formed by the Choirs attached to the
Honolulu native churches and more es-
pecially at the public concerts that
have been given by them, in which these
Choirs have not only pleased their au-
diences, but have established a reputation
that ensures them large attendance
whenever they choose to have concert.
So also the music at the Roman Catholic
Cathedral has become very pleasing
part of their services, and the music given
is that of the best composers.
We observe that a tendency is now
being shown among the Hawaiians to
learn to play on musical instruments, and
to club together for the purposes of mu-
steal amusement. This tendency, in some
districts, has been fostered by private
parties Instruments and music have
been furnished, so that already, in several
country places, bands have been organ
lied, which have attained to considerable
skill in their performances. The fashion
is spreading, so that these village bands
are likely to multiply, and will furnish to
their neighborhoods means of harmless
as well as pleasing recreation.
1t is not impossible that we may yet
see spirit of musical competition spring
ing up, and, as in other countries, the
rural and the city bands joining their
forces on some gala festival in Honolulu,
when an appeal will be made to the public
Judgment as to the merit and skill of the
performers, and the Editorial Critic will
be button-holed by the whole fraternity.
Later Foreign News!