Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-04-01
THE AMATEURS.

We are of the opinion that this community |
would sorely miss the nmiablc efforts of the |
amateurs If that body were to take offence at
certain structures made upon recent perform
aucc. and ever after hold their peace.
A writer snys apropos of the concert and
reading lately given in Fort Street Church,
"when charge is made for any public dis
play of musical or other talent, | think it is
the duty of public ohroncler, TO whom is
widely and generally conceded privilege or
duty of censorship, TO report with discrini-
mating and proper criticism, the performance
of an amateur, as that of professional"
There are not many who would care to report.
with ga discriminating and proper criticism
the performance OF an amateur that of IL
professional :" amateurs are not and do not
profess 10 be professionals when they become
professionals they cease to he amateurs. No
one knows Just where the line is drawn be-
tween the two, but the difference is so marked,
that professional whose performance is u,-
worthy of his profession is at once pronounced
ama,eursh 1t would he an insult to criticise
u professional as il he were an amateur 1t
is an injustice to crtici,e an amateur rs if he
were professional. When one has studied
an art and has so far acquired it to be an
acknowledged representative of that art, and
by the practice of the art gains livelihood
we will leave fame and fortune out of the
queston--that one is open to criticism. Let
us hope it is always discriminating and
proper" That there some who arc nn or
-,
is no reason why lady or gentleman shall
not sing, or play upon an instrument, enact
rolls, or paint little, or write AS much as she
or he pleases. Polite accomplishments are
not common enough TO be snnbbed with i'm
punty and the least polite of them, SO long as
it is an accomplishments is worthy of respect
and encouragement. But these accomplsh-
ments are not for moment to be compared
with the achievements of master, or even
with the efforts of those who are schoolcd,
but to whom time and experience alone can
award the mastery. The writer above quoted
adds Z" as an editor and as professed manu-
faclurer, an enlightener Of public opinion, is
it not equally your duty to crilcse fully and
fairly without fear or favor, the public per-
formance of every individual, whether lady or
gentleman, who solicits the favor OF an audi
ence aud for whose performance fee is
charged" Certainly not Amateurs do not
sing or play for money. When singers or play
ers exact n fee for their performance, they
cease to be amateurs, however poorly they
may be fitted 10 enter the musical pro!essiou
The case is this question OF charity arises !;
how can the mos, money be got with the least
effort and without wounding the feelings Of
the solicitor or solicited. Give an entertain
lnent; charge reasonable admission fec (;
and pass a pleasant if not profitable evening.
Now there no professionals at our service ;
If they we're with us and desirable, they would
probably be performing at the theatre where
they belong. There is some available talent,
good, bad and indifferent The talent gener-
ously responds to the voice of charity, wol ks
hard over rehearsals, runs the gauntlet Of crit
icism--- the severest critics are the audiences
who pay for the privilege of expressing an
opnon-and for all these pains, the ANA
teurs get no remuneration and we fear too
often, no thauks either.
| grab-bag and The ice-cream sociablc " to any
| thing else, he is cordially welcome to them
\ The grab-bag aud the ice-cream sociabie have
their season and are Of frequent occurrence
enough 10 satisfy the requirements of Any
reasonable person. As for ns. we confess thai
We like an occasional concert. There is pretty
sure to be something Of merit during the eyen-
ing; something fully worth the price of ad.
mission, and then what does our dollar 90 fol
10 these casesmerely To tickle the ear fol
an hour or two, or the palate?
Long live tte amateurs without them th'
evenings would be dull indeed; with then
there ia an under current Of corlslc life iha
rlppIes never 40 quietly onward from week t.
week, and bubbles up to the service once in
while with fresh proof Of vitality, the kind 0
vitality without which we as eommunil.
would probably mark the advance Of time b.
the succeeding strata Of social decadence.