2-970-145 - /Heritage Images

Sunday-School Jubilee Commemoration in the Piece Hall, Halifax - from a photograph by Haigh, 1856. Concert attended by '...a total of 24,787 teachers and scholars. Besides these there were 500 instrumental and 336 vocal performers; making a total again of 25,623 for the area of the hall. If to this number we add the 8000 spectators accommodated in the galleries, we shall have a grand total of 33,623 persons congregated within the walls of one building...A placard was then raised bearing the words "All Sing" - the conductor turned round, and so faced the vast sea of upturned faces; and then forth rolled the volume of sound in the full chorus...At its conclusion cheers loud and long burst forth from every part of the hall, which were renewed when a large placard was exhibited on the orchestra with "Mr. Dean" printed upon it. That gentleman bowed his acknowledgments'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.