Towns > Glasgow > 1828-1912 - Post-Office annual Glasgow directory > 1891-1892

MUSICAL INSTITUTIONS.
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quest was accepted by the Town Council in July of
the same year.
The library was opened November 1, 1877, and is
open daily from 9.30 a.m. till 10 p.m. uninterruptedly.
It now contains about 88,000 volumes, and is by far
the largest library in Scotland to which the general
public have a right of free admission. The books
are not permitted to be taken away, but may be
read in the library, which has been conveniently
furnished for this purpose. There is a magazine
room, where may be seen about 300 of the principal
weekly, monthly, and quarterly periodicals of all
classes — literary, artistic, scientific, trade, technical,
and general — and including a number of American,
German, and French serials. The admission is free,
and no introduction or guarantee is required. In
the selection of the books to form the library,
efforts have been made to give it a thoroughly
representative character, so that students in every
department of knowledge will derive advantage from
its use. Collections of books relating to Scotland,
and particularly to Glasgow and the West, are form-
ing. The " Poets Comer " is believed to contain the
largest and most valuable library of Burns and Scot-
tish Poets and Dramatists in existence. Much atten-
tion has also been devoted to securing standard
works on industrial and technological subjects, from
which many persons engaged in manufactures, espe-
cially such as include design, derive much advantage.
The number of readers is large, the average number
of volumes consulted daily being from 1400 to 1500.
The total number issued from the commencement to
22nd March, 1890, was 4,676,509, exclusive of the
reading of the periodicals in the magazine room, the
references to which are estimated to be not much
less in number than the volumes issued.
The library is administered by the following com-
mittee of the Town Council, the Hon. the Lord Pro-
vost; Councillor Col quhoun, convener; Bailie Graham,
sub-convener; Bailie Paton, Deacon- convener T.
Mason ; Councillors J. Alexander, J. Bell, W. Bils-
land, J. U. Primrose, Walter Wilson, William
Wilson ; F. T. Barrett, librarian ; John Ingram, sub-
librarian.
MUSICAL INSTITUTIONS.
GLASGOW CHORAL UNION.
Joseph Bradley, Mus. Bac. Oxon., Conductor.
The object of the Choral Union is to cultivate and
diffuse the knowledge of, and taste for, Classical Music,
and for this purpose frequent public performances
are given, at which the leading artistes in the country
appear. Members meet for rehearsal on the evenings
of Monday and Wednesday during the session.
Ladies and gentlemen admitted to membership by
application to the hon. secretary. Gentlemen pay an
annual subscription of five shillings. Subscription
Choral and Orchestral Concerts are given during
the season. The office-bearers for the current year
are — President, Allan W. Young ; vice-president, A.
Kuncie; hon. secretary, Charles M. Ramsay, 24 St.
Vincent Place ; hon. treasurer, A. Scott Brown; libra-
rian, E. W. Greig; ladies' convener, J. B. Doig;
acting secretary and treasurer, John Wallace, 58 W.
Regent Street.
TONIC SOL-FA COLLEGE.
WEST OF SCOTLAND BRANCH.
The objects for which the Tonic Sol-Fa College is
established are: — (1) The musical advancement of
the students of the tonic sol-fa method; (2) the
training of teachers of the tonic sol-fa method ; (3)
the extension of musical knowledge among the
people by means of the tonic sol-fa method; (4) the
holding of classes, lectures, meetings for discussion
and demonstration, and examinations for certificates.
Membership of the West of Scotland Branch is re-
stricted (honorary members excepted) to persons
holding the Intermediate Certificate, and who pay
an annual subscription of 2s. 6d. to the fund of the
branch. Tonic sol-fa classes or musical societies in
the counties of Lanark, Renfrew, Ayr, Dumbarton,
Stirling, Argyle, and Bute shall be entitled to receive
recognition, advice, and assistance from the branch,
subject to the teacher or conductor being approved
by the committee, on payment of a registration fee
of 10s. 6d. per annum. At all business meetings
each member shall have one vote only, except in the
ballot election of committee, when votes are according
to articles 32 to 35 of the constitution of the Tonic
Sol-Fa College. In addition to forming public
classes, it is intended that the members of the
branch shall hold social meetings and conferences for
mutual improvement, and that a circulating library
will be formed.
President— E. Stewart, Esq., S.S.C., 116 West
Eegent st. ; treasurer, Mr. W. M. Miller, 7 Mansfield
Place; secretary, Mr. E. D. Jamieson, 12 Rose St.,
Garnethill. Applications for membership should be
made to the secretary.
GLASGOW AMATEUE OECHESTEAL SOCIETY.
Secretary, A. Ralph Brown, St. Vincent Place.
The object of the Society is the study of classical
orchestral music : practisings held weekly during the
winter months. In connection with the society there
is also an auxiliary branch intended to bring forward
younger players who may not be sufficiently far ad-
vanced to join the senior society. The directors
invite the attention of instrumental amateurs to the
Society. Application for membership may be made
to Chas. Oatts, 102 West Nile Street, or any mem-
ber of committee.