The San Francisco call., 1897-07-31
RIVALRY TOR
MUSICAL HONORS
Effect of the Success. of the:
Big Orchestra at the
G. E. Convention.
All the Leading Churches Are
Now Engaged in Friendly
Competition.
Directors Rea, Stewart and Mccoy
Each Striving to Have a Per-
feet Organization.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, |

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
908 Broadway. July 30.
The success of the First Congregational
Sunday school orchestra at the Christian
Endeavor convention and the prospect
that it may go to Nashville next year has
aroused great interest all over the State,
and its managers are receiving many
communications from churches as to how
it was organized and how it is sustained.
Dozens Of churches are now anxious to
have Sunday-school orchestra.
Already two have been organized in
this city since the convention, and it was
also at the First Congregational Church
that the first musical institution of the
kind was started.
Rev. John Rea, serving a. associate to
Rev. j. K. Mclean, then pastor of the
first effort in this line. He secured cor
netist and for several weeks this instru-
ment led in the sing1ng of the Sunday
school. Then came flute, and later the
violin. The latter was not fully indorsed
by the older members for little time, but
they finally gave in.
Then came the fully equipped orchestra.
1t was a small one, but it grew, and soon
the first concert was given. Then its
name spread, and the other churches took
up the idea. The First Baptist organized
one OF twenty pieces when the orlgi-
nal one had begun to turn away appli-
canrs. The First NJ. E. followed their
example. The Baptists only kept up
their WORK one year, but the Methodist
orchestra is still in existence.
The name of the original orchestra
spread all over the State. Alex T. Stew
art was selected as its leader, and the
Christian Endeavorers took them to Santa
Rosa in 1892. In 1893 they visited Fresno,
where they were given an ovation.
Sacramento was visited in 1895 and San
Jose last year, and Pacific Grove later.
Last fall Mr.. Stewart resigned and went
East to study music; William J. Mccoy
was chosen to succeed him, and this year
thousands applauded them in Mechanics
Pavilion. 1t is intimated now that they
may go to Nashville in 1898
Mr.. Rea recently returned and took a
position in the First Presby terian Church,
and at once organized an orchestra in the
Sunday school. This has been growing
stea, iiy and promises to be a com petitor
of its organizers original work. O. f.
Crist has charge OF this work during Mr..
Rea's vacation.
Alexander Stewart has now been en-
gagged to conduct the First M. e. Sunday
school orchestra. He has some good ma
terial and will draw from all parts OF the
City.
DR.. Ollie is expected to return soon,
and, as he declared at Pacific Grove las
year that the church OF the day must a.
tract the outsiders in order TO reach them,
ne will undoubtedly give the orchestra
place in his evening services 10 secure an
audience.
The Unitarian church bas supported an
excellent orchestra for several years under
the direction of LIewellyn HUGHES. 1t is
composed of players from the various
churches as well as non-church goers.
Since the disband ment of the Baptist
two years ago there has been considerable
discussion as to its benefits. Tney declare
that their attendance was larger and their
Sunday school better while it was in exist
ence. Charles f. Baker their superin-
tondent, favors replacing it, ana at no
very distant day it will probably be
accomplished. They have as proficient
musicians there as any OF the Sunday
| scnools. The young people of all the
denominations are we'll pleased with the
orchestras and every one seems eager TO
play in some one of them.