The morning call., 1893-10-12
A SILENT SHELL.
No Open-Air Concert at
the Park To-Day.
WHY THERE WILL NOT BE ONE
The Promised Reorganization of the
Popular Band Has Not Yet
Been Effected.

There will be no open-air concert al
Golden Gate Park this afternoon, and the
members of the Park band do not know
whether they will entertain the public as
usual on Saturday or whether the disband-
ment recently effected may not continue
Tor some time.
Joseph d. Redding has promised the
band will be reorganiZed as soon as he.
Director Spadina and Manager Coggln can
hold consultation and prepare a new list
of bandsmen. The trustee says that the
contract with the railroad companies for
the payment of the musicians having ex-
pired and not having been renewed no
regular engagement can be made in the
meantime. He says. however, that the
cable companies have told him "to go
ahead" and he says he will make the most
satisfactory arrangements possible under
the circumstances.
There is talk among members of the
Musicians Union of interfering in the
matter. one of the bylaws of the organi-
cation having been directly violated. One
Of the rules of the union provides that GO
contract between an employer and mu-
siciaD can be terminated except upon Civ
ing weeks notice Re6ding is an homo
rary member of the union and the men,
bers maintain that he is amenable to its
rules. Notification of the termination of
the contract was only made on Sunday,
and the required weeks notice not having
been waived any action OF the union will
be in order.
1t is likely that when the street-railroad
companies make new contract
there will be some stipulatfons which
will effect change in the character and
standard of tbs concerts. Many people
listQ fo ho hon OF for
ance, and the numbers are eagerly listened
to and closely criticized. Numbers Of the
regular auditors are complaining that the
former high standard is not being main
tanned from musical standpoint. Vari-
Gus personal reasons for this condition of
affairs continue TO be suggested. and
although all do not agree upon the cause
there Is great unanlmity concerning the
fact.
Adverse comment is freely made, also,
upon the number selected. There is COM
plant Of a lack of variety and of an un-
necessary repetition of the waltzes and CAV
ottes. Out of the large stock on hand it
is suggested that there must be
plenty of material for new pieces. Red
ding explains that the director prepares
the programme. upon which he, as trustee,
sets the seal OF his approval, before it is
| passed to print. As he invites popular
suggestions for preparation of the pro-
grammeS, the faults founQ hitherto may be
avoided in the future if the listeners at
the concerts will indicate their preferences
to Mr.. Redding. The general feeling has
been, in the past, that suggestions would
be viewed in the light of interference, but
the trustee disclaims any such feeling
Some of the bandsmen hint very
strongly that the Park band would
attain a higher standard and ac-
complish more satisfactory work If
| the system of authority were changed.
Their remarks are aimed at the trustee,
who has not wide popularity among the
| bandsmen. While they do not question
Reddlng's authority or his right to exer-
else proper discipline where members are
guilty of misconduct, they claim that no
| amateur musician is competent to select
compositions for professional players Of
acknowledged ability. They desire a
change in this respect. and some of the
veteran players aver that they are not
anxious for re-eDgagement on the lines
which have prevailed during the past two