CHORAL FESTIVAL.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8964, 30 November 1894, Page 6

CHORAL FESTIVAL.

The festival of the Christchurch Diocesan Choral Association, which after a lapse of two years has been revived, took place yesterday at the Cathedral, and was as success-; ful as any one that had been previously held. It was commenced with Holy Communion in the morning, the Rev. Canon Dunkley being the celebrant. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon evensong was held,' at which the hymns and anthem, which had been specially rehearsed, were sung by a choir of 373 voices from the following churches: — Snr- Unplaced, surpliced. Cathedral - " -J S Avonside »>0 v St. John's .- 24 16 St. Luke's ... 20 12 St. Michael's ... 17 » Meriv&le ... 10 Wools ton .. 15 *Z Riccarton ... *£ ° Papauui... ... ° 14 Lyttelton ... 12 1U Prebbleton and Templeton ... 0 31 Sydenham ... 16 10 Rangiora ... 0 M *212 161

The singing was led by four cornets, Mr Tendall presided at the organ, and Mr Wells conducted. The processional hymn was " At the name of Jesus,*' and the recessional "Hark, the sound of holy voices, the anthem "Praise the Lord," and the Lessons were succeeded respectively by the "Magnificat" and "Nunc dimittis." The music was rendered very well, both time and harmony being good, a large meed oi praise being due to those who have had the drilling of the choirs and conducting the , rehearsals. The lessons at the afternoon service were read by the Revs. C. J. Merton and C. H. Gossett, and the Revs. Canon Dunkley and H. T. V. Winter divided the duties of cecentor. At the conclusion of this service the choirs adjourned to the Drillshed, where refreshments had been abundantly provided by tbe ladies, and considerably over 600 persons sat down to tea. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and among those who occupied seals at his table were Mrs Julius, the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr Slater (Chancellor of the Diocese), and Mr J. M. Batham. The Rev. F. Knowles proposed " The health of the Bi_hop," a toast which was received with musical honours. His Lordship, in returning his thanks, Baid.he felt more than they could tell the kindly way in which the toast had been received. He also wished to assure the choirs how heartily they were welcomed to the gathering, as well as to the services in the Cathedral. Tbis day, which brought together the friends from the country and town, was a big one, and long to be remembered. (Applause.) His Worship the Mayor proposed *• Success to the Diocesan Choral Association," and briefly alluded to the great benefit the choirs rendered to the Church and the congregation by their services. Everyone bad reason to feel proud of the excellent way in which the music had been rendered and of the choirs who rendered it. (Loud applause.) His Lordship, in supplementing the remarks of tbe Mayor, said that the success of the Association and the service was greatly due to the energy and zeal of two or three men. While he knew that country choirs found much trouble in getting there to give their assistance yet a great deal of tbe work of the Association bad fallen upon the shoulders of a few, of whom he could not help mentioning the Rev. Canon Dunkley (Secretary), Mr Tendall, Mr Wells and Dr. Irving. (Load applause.) The Rev. Canon Dunkley responded.

The Very Rev. tbe Dean proposed the toast of." The Visitors." Mr .. M. Batham that of the".** Country Choirs," and Mr Slater that of " The Ladies," each being very warmly received. The Cathedral choir sang grace both before and after tea.

The congregation at the afternoon Bervice though large was small in comparison with that which assembled at 7 p.m., the Cathedral being then filled, and many people standing in the porches to listen to the music, which was sung. with more spirit, particularly the, hymns and the anthem, and at a later period called forth praise from the Bishop. The lessons were read by tbe Revs. Canon Stack aud A. E. Scott; the precentors were the Revs. Canon Dunkley and A. W. Averill. His Lordship the Bishop preached, and said that in the recent services, as of that evening, they realised somethinz of what the Cathedral should be to the diocese. Never, perhaps, had it been felt more .than on that night, when the choirs from many churcheß were gathered together to wor.hip and to sing, and he trusted the Choral Association would become yet more vigorous in the years to come. He would ask, the congregation to give it their moat liberal support. He then went on to say that he wished to address a few simple words mainly to the choirs assembled, and in the 14th chapter of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, the 15th*verse, he found the words, "I will Bing with spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." His Lordship dwelt upon the sacred calling of the chorister and bis value to the Church, on the power of music. if sung with spirit and understanding, and he suggested the little things which ought never to be neglected if choirs would have their singing what it should be—helpful to those who heard it. He prayed God to help them to sing with spirit and with understanding; also, that they might, when their time came, sing in the great white robed choir, in a voice that could never falter and a spirit that could never fade, the eternal praise of Sim they worshipped. JBefore the" choirs dispersed, -__o.«_L Btfber the

-t-_sc_e3s_j.o.---B-£ hymn. bis . th.~-.-r-Ice-til. IL I_U i J ( Jii them tor their services, and. observed that since he had been here he could not remember a time when the music had been better sung. The offertories, which were in aid of the Association, amounted from tbe three services to £17 10_ lid.