Hong Kong Daily Press, 1870-07-02

Hongkong, July 2nd 1870.

The Hongkong Choral Society certainly deserve well of the community for their efforts to make periodical amateur concerts one of the institutions of the place. In distant parts of the world like this, the opportunity which the generality of people have of hearing anything like good music are necessarily of the most limited description. The love of music in Hongkong has none of the facilities which at home enable everybody who desires it to hear the best music performed by the best performers; but still there is no reason why from time to time a little good music should not be available to the public even out here, and it may be hoped the efforts which are being made by the Choral Society will end in the establishment of a Philharmonic Society, somewhat similar to what which has been formed in Shanghai. The plan which is there adopted might be well worthy of consideration here. The Society consists not only of the performers, but also of the audience - the subscription, which is low, being also the price of entrance to the concerts, of which it is understood four will be given every season, though,  as a rule, about six are given. By this means, the Society numbers some two hundred subscribers, and sufficient funds are, therefore, obtained to pay for the assistance of a talented professional gentleman, who conducts the concerts, as well as to meet the other expenses which have to be incurred. If such a plan were adopted in Hongkong, it would probably be found equally successful. If the subscription were placed at ten dollars, there would, in all likelihood, be at least a hundred or a hundred and fifty people quite willing to pay that amount in return for half a dozen concerts in the course of the season, and thus the Amateur Philharmonic Society would be placed upon something like a permanent footing. and there is no valid reason why in the course of a few years this Society should not be in a position to do greater things than the mere organisation and performance of vocal concerts. The idea of converting the concert-room in the City Hall into a miniature St. Martin's Hall, with a well arranged orchestra and chorus, surmounted b a really good organ, is not too chimerical to commend itself to an enthusiastic mind. It is very true that "you must first catch your hare," but if you picture to yourself the subsequent delight of eating it, the chase will lose none of its interest, xxxxx as there is a definite object to be attained in the catching. If, however, this object in the present case is ever to be realised, this is, if we are ever to have a genuine concert-hall with all appurtenances and means to boot, we must begin, not with the organ, but nearer the beginning. It would, of course, be necessary to introduce some more instrumental music; but if efforts were made with this object, it would probably not be found very difficult. The idea was entertained, before the last two concerts were given, that instrumental music would not be so much appreciated as vocal, but this is proved to be a mistake, ad the discovery will no doubt induce more instrumental amateurs to come forward. The concert which  is announced for Saturday next, is, we notice, to be mixed, so that it is evident attention is already being paid to this point; and it is probable that if in addition, some such plan as above suggested were put in force, an Amateur Philharmonic Society might be organised, such as would be no less creditable to the amateurs than pleasing to the general community.