Community Singing in Auckland

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 9, 12 September 1930, Page 8

Community Singing in Auckland

N interesting feature of the increasing popularity of community singing in the Auckland Town Hall is the lively interest that radio provokes, Take in these weekly mid-day sings. During the last few weeks the Town Hall has been taxed to its 3000 capacity, and last Wednesday, September. 8, many were unable to obtain admittance. At the semi-final sing, "Uncle Tom, of 1YA," who was the song leader intimated to listeners-in that the Community Singing Committee were closing down for the season, and he suggested if they would like an extensionof the season, a letter to the committee might influence it to carry on for a few weeks longer. A most unexpected response was the result. Within a few days more than 400 letters of request were rc_eived. They all contained contributions to the funds, and at the moment of writing more than £25 had been received. Letters ‘came from all over the North Island, and as far south as Nelson. The result is that the committee are continuing the sings till Wednesday, October 1, in acknowledgment of so gracious and practical a request. The "sings" are run by a committee of city men. The only expense is the rental of the Town Hall and advertising. Last year the surplus was divided among the unendowed charities of the city.’ This year they anticipate quite a respectable amount for the same purpose. The "sings," being broadcast, have an added interest, and the committee is indebted to some .of the 1YA personalities-Mr. Len Barnes, Mr. Owen Pritchard, Cinderella, ad Uncle Tom-who, as song leaders, have contributed no small part in the popularity of these weekly gatherings.