Sept. 22.
In view of the controversy Jwhich raged around the Municipal JOrchestra last spring, the statement Jas to its plans for the forthcoming Jseason, which were published in these ° columns yesterday, will doubtless have been read with Jconsiderable interest. It evidences not only a desire to meet the re~ Jquirements of the public, but outines plans, which, if they are carried out to their logical conch sion, should have the effect of in-
Jcreasing the popularity. of the O1 chestra along lines which have frequently been advocated. In. particular it is a noteworthy de-Jparture that a decision has been Jarrived at to give the Sunday con~ certs at or 5.0 o'clock in the Jaftenoon instead of after dinner. jo That was a point which was made by several correspondents to this journal, who desired a reversion to the practice in existence when the old Town Hall was still availlable, and which, judging from the numbers that on occasion filled the big hall, was more convenient~ ly timed than the later practice {followed at the Carlton and the Grand Theatres. The success of the concerts for children undoubt-
Jedly justifies the decision of the Municipal Council to continue with {this popular feature, tory talks should assist in helping to provide the children with a pro-[per degree of musical appreciation without which they are unlikely to Jget the full benefit of the privilege which is being provided. The two orchestral concerts to be given on week-days during each month, should also serve to test out the Jquality of the patronage which the music loving people of Shanghai Jare prepared to give the Orchestra for this extra treat, while the Jaddition of twelve broadcast concerts during the season, or about Jone fortnightly should' serve to keep the orchestra sufficiently active when the amount of rehearsal necessary is also taken into consideration. The cost of doing this, Jiudging from the statement, does not appear to be excessive, and may even be reduced if the pro-Jgramme is sponsored by some approved advertiser.
It may be quite correct to believe that as comprehensive a test Jas possible was made in the questionnaire which if is reported was circulated to 2,500 persons, but it is to be regretted that no more than replies were received. To from lightly—reproaching those responsible that they apparently desired to blush unseen is Junavoidable, for the process ap-[pears to have been carried out in 8 manner which kept it quieter than it should have been, and for that reason may not have been entirely as representative as was de-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.