, 1916-07-12

IL True one, dIIO, Nll1O ~ - ~ 90
everyone to be what is called musical 1T
is a fact. neverth eless, that there are very
few people who are entirely without an
appreciation of the beauties OF melody aud
harmony. It is well that everyone should
have a hobby if only to save them from
that most distressing complaint of 'havInS
nothing to do" in their spare time. With
out that hobby, evenings are devoted to
lounging about in an aimless and proltleSs
manner, while the time so wasted might
have been occupied IN u way both nstrnc-
tive and enterta ming, and cerianlY proht-
able It is not possible for many young
nen living in our towns to brln them
selves in touch with many Of the Ats and
Sciences. the cultivation OF which tends to
elevate. BROADEN, aud stimulate the mind,
but the art of music is practically within
eyervone's reach. and to have q musical
organization in the ncighbourhooi, and to
be q member of it, is an exceedingly usetul
and pleasant occupation. besides beln8 Il
source of culture and artistic advancement,
not only to ourselves but to all IN the Vlcl-
nifty. That this is fact, is rea ised very pro
minently by those in charge OF religious
institutions aud social organizations nearly
all of which have a band Of some desctIp-
ton attached to them. The town "Brass
Band" used to be understood to mean "
number of persons equipped with more or
less different Instruments, IN al stages OF
disrepair, and who assembled together IN
public for the purpose, ostensibly, OF pro.
ducing harmony but more really for the
purpose of collecting money glver by PEG
pie who were either pleased, or otherwise
with the performance But that is not
the brass band Of to-day. The excellent
musical organizations as the brass bands
we have now, have attained all the dignity
which they are SO justly entitled to as
clever and faithful opponents and follow
ers Of the Divine Art. They not only at
tempt, but play, and play we'll, music OF
our latter day composers which, brushing
with great difficulties as much OF 1t IS, they
would never have thought possible Of exc
cution at all on a brass band years ago.
This is progress, and a progress due mann
ly to perseverance,. without which little or
nothing in this world can be accomplished.
In it's initial proceedings, a brass band, it
is true, may perhaps be a noisy affair; but,
as music has been aptly described as a
s'pleasant nose, the young players, with
the help of their instructor, will soon learn
to control their efforts, to blow with dis
c%retion, and ultimately reach thai State OF
efficiency which viii e~ntitle them to be re
gqrded as b longing to those who are qua'-
fled to make q pleasant noise Wel.
With a view, therefore, of rendering
some little assistance to those, who,
while contemplating the formation Of a
Brass Band, know very little Of the tech
meal matter connected herewith, | sub
NIT the following hints on the organlza-
ton and elementary management Of such
a combination, and trust they may be
found of service to those for whom they
are intended.
In the organising of any matter, what
soever it may be, there must undoubtedly
be a leader, one who has he project
thoroughly at heart, is unsparin9 of his
time, and who possesses unbounded en-
thusiasm. If the band has a local Band
master, give him the respect and attention
which is his right by virtue of the posi-
ton to which you have appointed him.
And above all Don't take up music or
banding as a fall back when you have
nothing better to do. Either take it up
thoroughly and with a determination to
achieve something good, or leave it alone.
Thanking you for space in your most
esteemed paper.
l am Sir,
Respectfully Yours
FRANCIS r. q DAVIS.