AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 59, 11 March 1926, Page 11

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

PAST YEAR REVIEWED. THE ANNUAL. MEETINGThere was a-good attendance at the annual meeting of the Auckland Choral Society,' the vice-president, Mr. C. Hudson, presiding. The election of officers resulted in tbn re-election of the following:—President; Sir Henry Brett; vice-president, Mr. C. Hudson; deputy-chairman. , Mr. C. B. Plummer; secretary/ Mr. H. E- Siinmonds; conductor, Mr. C. Muston; leader of orchestra, Miss Edith Whitelaw; librarian, Mr. A. Fairburn, '■ ami assistant-librarian, Mr. C. Double. Mrs. Collier and Mr. J. Lynex were elected to the management committee, while the following were re-elected: Mrs. G. M. Betts. Messrs. C. Hudson, H. D. Bunby, H.J. Edmiston, C. B. Plummer, E. E. Pierce. A. Fairburn, C. Double, C. Stanford - and Professor C. W. Egerton. - Gratification was.expressed-! at ..the fact that the •■ society's ■; president had been honoured-by the King, and it was stated :that congratulations had beensent to Sir Henry,. Bnitt. The report stated that the statement of accounts for 1925 showed a debit balance of £3S 4/7, which was accounted for by the fact that two of the concerts showed, -.a loss-, arid that subscribers had fallen off. In 1924 the subscriptions were £334 17/5, and in 1925 they were 5 £280 10/0. On the other hand; xasli takings at-the concerts materially increased. . Tlie programme during: 1925 was: "Elijah," "Der Freischutz/ , "Stabat;- Mater;" -"Fair Ellen,? '"Messfah." The rj latter-^ricert- :: "vras'particularly "success-: ful and produced a fair profit. During the absence. in, England. of Miss E. Whitelaw, Mrs. R., A. Singer took her place, and ably led the orchestra. The best thanks of the society had been conveyed to Mrs. Singer for her voluntary services, which had been much appreciated.

The works proposed to be performed this year are: First concert, "Faust"; second, "Hiawatha"; third, to be selected; fourth, "Messiah." Mr. Arthur Jordan, the eminent English tenor, has been engaged for the first concert. Mr. Jordan is in Dunedin, and was specially engaged for the Exhibition. "The report continued by stating that the committee tendered its best thanks to thn conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, for his keen interest and indefatigable labours for the society. The members of the chorus were sensible of his patience, and his zealous efforts- to make each performance approach perfection. Tim librarian and advertising agent. Mr. A. Fairtrurn, was deserving of a sticcial word of praise, the report stating that the posters designed by him must be considered works of art. - :

The report was adopted- Tn adopting the balance-sheet, it was pointed out that each concert had rost £2:10, the society having spared no exjm-»»sc to make the concerts artistic .successes. The hope : was - expressed that A-ii<:k-landers would support this old established society, which existed .purely to promote the interests of good music, and , that the year would see "many new subscribers enrolled.