The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JAN. 8, 1866.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 834, 8 January 1866, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JAN. 8, 1866.

Among the most marked features of the progress of refinement in a newly settled country may. be ranked an appreciation of, and a desire to cultivate, good and high-classed music. Nothing is a greater evidence of the social and intellectual advancement of a community than the interest displayed in, and the support afforded by the public to, this art. It should, therefore, be one of the chief aims and objects of those who desire to elevate and mellow the tone of society to foster those societies which are calculated to refine the taste, and expand the minds of the people. Philharmonic societies have this tendency, and if we are to estimate the improvement of our civilisation by this test, we are bound to say that the Philharmonic Society of Dunedin has progressed to an extent that redounds to the credit of its members, and the taste of the public. Still we cannot but feel that the Society has not received that support which it deserved ; it has accomplished much, but it has had hard struggles to do it. Still the large attendance which has marked the recent performance ©f the Society is indicative of ■a growing interest in the welfare of the institution. The claims of the Dunedin Philharmonic Society to public consideration are great, and the an un a.l report which we have published in another column, gives a tolerably good outline of its growth. The Society was commenced in the latter end •of 1863, when a few gentlemen warmly interested in the advancement of the musical art, determined to make a manly effort to establish •upon a firm basis an institution calculated to give an impetus to the social progress of the ■citizens. At the start they were surrounded by difficulties. A musical association had previously existed, but owing to, the many circumstances which are attendant upon a newly-gathered community—the difficulty of obtaining a director who could command the confidence of the performers, and the uncertainty of the members •remaining in the city caused it to prove a failure. Nothing daunted, however, the promoters of the Philharmonic Society put their “shoulder to the wheel,” and they have succeeded in building up an institution of which Dunedin may well be proud. At the commencement of the Society, •the conductorship was conferred upon Mr W. 3T and Mr G. R. West undertook the

rather onerous duties of Secretary. Mr Flood only held office during one year, and conducted but one concert, which proved a success. Still the public did not support the Society to the extent to which it might have been expected ; and in October, 1864, Mr G. R. "West was elected to the post of Musical Director, and since that time the Society has made steady progress. It has steadily increased the number of its members, and with an earnestness deserving the highest commendation, applied itself to work, and the result has been that all the concerts which have been given, have reflected credit upon the performers. The members had many difficulties to overcome, but those difficulties were grappled with, and now the Society may be deemed a permanent institution. There are apparently but comparatively few honorary members, and it is from this source that the Society should receive the assistance required to carry on the business with efficiency and success. It is therefore to be hoped that an increased support will be awarded, and that the report for 1866 will be far more satisfactory than that of 1865. The Society has done well, but the encouragement it has received has fallen far short of its desert.

We have said the Society has had many difficulties to overcome. It is almost unnecessary to enumerate them, even if it were possible. In a newly populated city the constant removal to other localities of members, and the scarcity of lady vocalists, must of necessity be a serious detriment to perfectness. The want of a music hall is again a serious inconvenience, whilst the indifference of the public to its success is a matter for reproach. It is, however, pleasing to know that all these inconveniences, which operate to the prejudice of such associations, are being rapidly removed. Society is settling down into social circles, and there is a disposition on the part of many talented ladies to lend their invaluable aid at the concerts of the Society. It is not too much to hope that many months will not pass before Dunedin can boast of a hall suitable for public musical performances, and we trust that when such a valuable adjunct to the city has been built, that the Society we have referred to will be in a flourishing condition, and able to offer a programme which will fill it with an appreciative audience.