The record-union., 1891-08-28
A MUSICAL EVENT.
The Great Double Band 0pen-Air
Concert.
Eight Thousand or More Citizens Have
a Musical Outing Upon the
Plaza Lawn.

The first-let us hope not the last
double open-air concert of the season
was given last night at the Plaza under
the direction of the Young Mems Free
Open-air Concert Association. To say
that it was a success is but to echo the
verdict of all in attendance, and they
made up a jury of not less than 5000
people-some placed the figure as high as
10000. It was an immense assemblage
and thoroughly well pleased one.
The First Artillery Regiment Band
and the Hussar Band were consolidated
for the occasion. c. a. Neale welded
the baton. To accommodate so large a
body of musicians the regular band
stand was enlarged and the whole dec
GRATED with bunting in national colors
and fancy lanterns.
The band programme was:
March, "Charter Oak' Claus
Overture, Lutspiel Bella
Schottische, "Echoes of the Mississippi".....,
Gofuon
Waltz, 'Nantasket' ',....................B Bennett
Overture, ''L1Eleganten ......:: .........P Pettee
Overture, THE Jolly Robbers 5uppe
Selection, 30, Fair Dove ............schlepegre
Waltz "Black Diamonds onas
Medley, so, How Delightful" ..:..........C .Catlin
Descriptive Selection, "a Hunting Scene"
Describing ali the principal features of a
hunt The Call, Meet, Chase and Death.
played by relueSt)
Finale, ''Star-Spanged Banner
When the national anthem was played
fireworks were burned on the four sides
of the park, bombs fired and Roman
candles shot off in profusion, while col
ored lights were burned at different and
widely separated points. The effect was
very fine, and the display fitted admir-
ably into the stirring strains of the Star
Spangled Banner"
The bands played in excellent taste and
with precision, SfnOOthnesS and VlgOr
scarcely expected from renearsals for a
single occasion by two distinct organiza-
tionS. The musicians did themselves
credit and deserved fully the commenda-
ton given by the pleased multitude.
Interspersed in the instrumental pro-
gramme were three vocal selections by Il
musical combination under direction of
w. II. hinross, and composed Of MessrS.
Cook. .Cohn, Desmond, Blair and LOngbot-
tom as first tenors; Messrs. Beaumont,
Millikin, Moynihan, Wilson and Radcliffe
second tenors; Messrs. Bruner, Mitau,
Casselli, Millikin (T.) and JacoX as first
baSsos, and MeSSrs. Carroll, CrOcller,
Phillips and Phinney as second bassOs.
Miss Gertie Gerrish acted as piano accom-
panist with skill and good taste, upon
which so much depends in support of
singers.
The vocal selections were: '"The Sol
dier's Farewell" Kinkel; vocal march,
Martial Hymn" Gomez; "Auld Lang
Syne," Macy. The vocalists acquitted
themselves eXcellently, and the audience
demanded and received q repetition OF
each piece. But by those at some con-
siderable distance, on the outskirts of the
park, it should be remembered that it Is
difficult TO sing in the open air; more so
still in the midst of thick-growing, heavy
foiiaged trees; and still more So when
the surrounding streets and walks are
filled by moving multitude, and street
cars and carriages are rafting by. Under
such circumstances it requires resolution
of no ordinary character by a small
chorus to sing at all.
The immense audience was notable for
its order, uniform genteel behavior, and
its keen appreciation of the musical feast
set before it. The management was good
throughout, and the committeeman con-
stant, without being obtrusive, in their
endeaVors to make the affair an entire
success.
These Open-air concerts build for their
promoters better than they know. In
more senses than one they are beneficial.
They cultivate a rational taste for good
music, they bring the people together in
social way scarcely otherwise possible;
they conserve pleasant relations and
community pride; they crafty taste Tor
just enough of sentiment to soften the
hard lines of daily duty; they give the
people home outing; two hours of COM
plete relaxation, sensible, restful recrea-
ton, not open to solitary valid objection.