CHOIR FESTIVAL.

Press, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5679, 30 November 1883, Page 3

CHOIR FESTIVAL.

Perhaps at no time since the opening of the Cathedral have congregations so large assembled within its walls as did yesterday, on the occasion of the first Choir Festival in Christchurch. That tbe festival has been looked forward to with special interest was. shown by the attendance, both at the morning and afternoon I services; the former being visited by ' several hundred persons, and at the latter i the Cathedral was bo crowded that ! many were unable to obtain admittance, as every available place inside the sacred building was occupied. The inauguration of what it is expected will be an annual festival, was attended with success, and must have been pleasing to the gentlemen who have given their time and assistance towards bringing the choirs np to that standard of efficiency necessary to produce the effect which yesterday's gathering has done. Those whose duty it was to select the Hymns and Psalms for the festival are deserving of commendation. 1 They drew out a programme, the majority of the pieces of which were well-known to the congregation, and not being of a very difficult class, no uneasiness would be felt by the choir master on the score of their being accurately rendered. It is due to the choristers to say that in every instance their pieces were given in a manner alike creditable to themselves and their masters. The more prominent parts in the Cathedral had been neatly decorated with Sowers, a cross in front of the pulpit being noticeable by its prettinesa. The day was fine, and indeed everything appeared to wear its brightest colors in honor of the festival. The sacred festivities commenced with Holy Communion at 8 a.m. yesterday, and were succeeded by choral service, which took place three hours later, and was taken part in by the choirs from the Cathedral, St. Matthew's and St. Albans, Avonside, St. John's, Bangiora, Prebbleton, Kirwee, Opawa, Phillipstown, Riccarton, Merivale, St. Michael's, and Lincoln, thirteen in all. The total number of voices was 325, of which there were 221 trebles, 14 altos, 34 tenors, and 56 bass, the different voices from the several choirs being as follows: —

Pursuant to arrangement the choirs, headed by a band of six cornet players, entered the Cathedral at the western door. The cornet players, who stationed themselves on either side of the entrance played the processional hymn, " Hark 1 the Sound of Holy Voices," and the choirs sang the verseß to it as they slowly marched up the aisle. The members of the Cathedral choir took their customary places in the chancel, the other choristers had seats provided for them on a platform erected near. The procession was led up the aisle by the Cathedral choir, the rear being brought up by the Primate—preceded by the Rev. W. Harper, who carried the crozier —the Dean aud Chapter, Archdeacon Harris, others of the clergy, aud the cornet players. This order was observed at the afternoon service, and also as the choirs retired at the conclusion of each service. The processional hymn at evensong was "Onward, Christian Soldiers," and as the choir advanced into the church, the gradually increasing sound of their voices produced a pleasing effect. The preces were intoned by the Rev. W. H. Elton, Precentor of the Cathedral, and the morning lessons were read by the Revs. R. Townsend and C. Bowen. While every credit is due for the excellent manner in which the hymns and psalms were sung during the forenoon, the selections given at the afternoon also deserve a similar compliment, a very noticeable feature being the anthem "Sing a Song of Praise." The semi-chorus was sung by the Cathedral choir, who performed their part well, and the full chorus, by all the voices, was given in a finished style. The lessons in the afternoon were read by the Revs. Gilbert and T. Flavell, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Jervois, M.A., of Wellington, who chose his text from the 4th chapter of the Gospel according to St. Ma'thew, 19fch verse," And He saith unto them, Follow Mc and I will make you fishers of men." The rev. gentleman during the course of his sermon referred to what the Lord had done, and reminded his auditors of what He promised if they worked for His glory and for the glory of God. Subsequent to the sermon the Rev. Mr Elton announced that the offertories were to defray the expenses necessarily incurred by the Committee in arranging the festivaL At each of the services the Benediction was pronounced by the Most Rev._ the Primate, succeeded by the recessional hymns " O, Savior, precious Savior," and "Lighfß abode, celestial Salem," which were sung by the choirs as they left the church, the former in the morning and the latter in the afternoon. The collections amounted to JE37 lis lid, of which amount JEI 0_ 3d was collected at the Communion service, JJIS 23 5d at the morning, and J2lB 9s 3d at the afternoon services. The total sum represented 1034 coins, 250 being threepenny pieces and 16_d coppers.

! At one o'clock the choirs, with their masters, the ministers of the churches, and their friends, assembled in St. John's schoolroom, where luncheon had b_en provide*-. Ti.e Rght Rev. the Primate occupied the choir, and on the platform were the Very Rev. the Dean, Archdeaxm Harris, Be*~*. T. Flavell and E. H. Elton, His Worship the Mayor, Hon. Judge Gresson, Professor Cook, Messrß Maude, Willes, Barnett, and Bellhouse, and three ladies, among whom was the Lady Mayoress. After luncheon had been dispensed with. The Chairman proposed the toasts of "The Queen" and " The Governor," which were enthusiastically received. The Chairman then proposed, " The Diocesan Choral Association," coupled with the name of the Secretary, Mr Willes. All who had received the benefit of the services by the members of the Association were, he felt sure, highly gratified — [Hurrahs by the choirs] —and no doubt even more than gratified. The services given by tbe choirs would not only be beneficial to the city of Christchurch, but would do good he hoped in all parts of the diocese. There were several reasons why they should be glad of the success of this firat attempt of the association of the different choirs of the diocese, and .for which they should be thankful. It made them feel that they belonged to one great body, and were working in unison for one grand purpose. He had to express his great gratification in what had been done at the services, and he had no doubt they all would derive some satisfaction and some profit and edification from them. He concluded by expressing a hope, though he might not live to see the day, that every year they might have services of the kind in the Cathedral. Though they had succeeded this time, he felt sure that what had been done could be improved, and he hoped that next year they would all try and do better. [Applause and cheers.]

Mr W. A. Willes, Secretary, responded. He referred to the objects for which the Association had. been formed, and they were two, to cultivate a style and tnste in the performance of church music in their several churches, it had also been formed as a kind of bond of unon for the whole of the Diocese. They had the Cathedral for their head, and they went down as far as the smallest chorister in the Diocese. He referred to the able manner in which Mr Wells, organist at the Cathedral, performed his duties, and said that through__him they had every Sunday and day most joyful and beneficial choral services—a privilege, he might say, which was hardly known in many of the large towns in the Southern Hemisphere. Returning to the Association he said that j the master could not examine individual j members of the choirs, and trusted entirely to the choir master to put certain talent forward, aud the Association would cultivate it. He thanked all for the kind way in which they had drunk the health of the Association, and trusted that the Association would prosper and the desires of the ' Committee be realised, and then he had no ] doubt that the foundation stone so well laid thi3 day will be the first stone of a mighty edifice and great work in the | Diocese. [Applause.] The Very Eev. the Dean proposed ! " The Visitors," which toast was responded i to by Hon. Mr Gresson. - The MATOt proposed "The Health of! the Primate." He said they all knew him j as almost the first Bishop in the diocese, j they all respected him, all loved him, and I all honored him, and he thought all had to I be thankful for his guidance. He hoped j the Primate would be spared for many j years to reside among them. | The Primate, in acknowledging the '■■ toast, returned his sincere thanks, and said that he was pleased to see so large a gathering on the occasion. The lion. Mr Gresson proposed the health of " The Mayor." - His services, he said, were well known and appreciated, and he could unaffectedly say that he (the Mayor) was deserving of all the respect which was shown to him. His Worship suitably responded. The Rev. Mr Elton proposed the " Choirmasters," who were, he said, a patient and long suffering race. (Laughter.) They were always aiming at a high ideal, and were always being disappointed. They were deserving of the greatest praise, because it was upon them that the success of the festival greatly depended. He coupled the toast with the names of Messrs Barnett as town, and Mr Williams as country choirmaster, and both gentlemen appropriately acknowledged the toast. Mr Welles proposed the " Ringers," and the Key. Mr Lingard responded. The proceedings then terminated. At 5.30 p.m. tea was provided and partaken of by a large number. The Very Rev. the Dean presided.

»-J—CUIUS—•. Treble. Alto. Tenor. Bass. Cathedral ... 20 3 4 7 St. Matthew's (St. Albans) ... 12 0 2 2 Avonside ... 10 0 2 2 Lyttelton ... 14 0 2 4 St. Luke's ... 8 9 3 3 St. John's ... 15 0 4 1 Rangiora ... 0 2 3 6 Riccarton "... 14 0 2 6 Merivale ... 6 0 2 4 St. Michael's ... 14 0 0 7 UNSURPLICED. Treble. Alto. Tenor. Bass. St. Matthew's (St. Albans) ... 4 0 0 0 Avonside ... 1 0 0 0 St. John's ... 2 0 0 0 Rangiora ... 13 0 0 0 Prebbleton ... 21 0 3 4 Kirwee ... 5 4 2 3 Opawa ... 16 2 2 4 Phillipstown ... 3 0 2 2 Riccarton ... 12 0 0 0 Merivale ... 18 2 0 0 St. Michael's ... 9 0 0 0 Lincoln ... 4 1 1 1