ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 15

ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. NEW CONDUCTOR WELCOMED. Although the annual report did not reveal a very- flourishing condition of affairs, there v.:,, m , ). K . k „f cnthusiasm among i: ; .- 'numbers at thy annual meeting of the J.'oyal Christchureh Musical Society, held lust evening in the Ait Gallery., sir If. Heaton Rhodes pre-Hed over u very large attendance. The report for the year ending De--ember "Is!, !!>2G. stated: The 1020 season has not been liii;iift.-illy successful. The prime cause of our financial los< \t the small li-it of our subscribers and performing members, and the lack of a suitable concert hall. From the statement i.f accounts it will be seen that there is :i loss on the year's working of A!fit) besides outstanding account') amounting to £77 lis lid. Subscriptions received during the year amounted to 'Z~7U Ids 2d. The takings for the three concerts amounted to £IOO Is 'ii|. It is to be regretted that there is still the sum of £2fi 17s Gd outstanding subscriptions. To place the Society on a sound financial basis, it it imperative that our subscribers and performing members be increased to at least dor.b'e the present membership. Three concerts were given during the year.

Mr S. Williamson has completed three years as our conductor, and we wish to thank him for his- services. The committee has elected Mr T. V. Grifliths, M.A., Mus. 8., L.Mus. T.C.L., as our conductor, for the 1927 .season. Mr Griffiths is a very cultured musician, being an organist, pianist, voice trainer, and also very successful in conducting chorus and orchestra. Wc feel sure that his prcsenro with «s will stimulate the activities of the Society, and raise it once more to a high standard musically. Mrs J. E. Russell has completed nnothcr successful year as our accompanist.

The committee has considered the matter of the first concert for the coming year, and has decided upon Gounod's "Faust." During the year Madame Gower-Burns was elected a lifo member in recognition of her long and valuable scrvlco to the Society. The chairman, in moving tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said tho former was not altogether satisfactory. Tho Society had been in a much more flourishing condition. Sir Heaton Rhodes welcomed tho new conductor, nnd said he had reason to believe that the Society would henceforward make rapid strides. (Applause.) The motion was seconded by Mr A. W. Roberts and carried.

Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Prosident, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes; vice-presidents, Madame GowerBurns, Mr Justice Adams, Messrs "J« Ballantyne, L. Bonnlngton, Dr. J. C. Bradshaw, Mr M. S. Brown, Dr. C. Chilton, Rev, B. C. Crosse, Messrs J. A. Flesher, J. A. Frostiek, R. A. Home, W. Izard, E. D. Johnson, Dr. Julius, Messrs W. Machin, R. E. MacDougall, S. E. McCarthy, Dr. J. C. Pairman, Messrs W. Rcece, W. H. Rose, Professor J. Sholloy, Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, Bishop West-Watson, Mr P. D, Waller, and Mr T. Whitlinghnm; librarian, Mr P. C. Malpass; hon. auditor, Mr H. T. Whittingham; hon. solicitor, Mr A. F. Wright; committee, Mcsdames C. Stewart, E. A. Adkins, J. Evans, Messrs A W. Roberts, W. T. Lake, and F. Laws. Tho following motion was carried:— "That any member of tho committee being absent from three consecutive meetings without leave, shall cease to be a member of tho committee."

Rule 24 was rescinded, and the following substituted:— "Subscriptions are due as from the annual general meeting of each yoar, and cover the period up to and including the annual general meeting of the following year. Membors whose subscriptions are unpaid one calendar month from date of the annual general meeting shall not be eligible to voto on any question until such subscription Is paid.'^ Mr Griffiths, the new conductor, was accorded a warm welcome by the president. Mr Griffiths said the Society had done good work over s long period of years, and he felt honoured at following the eminent conductors of the past. Tho war had made a great difference to musical societies, and quite new policies had to be undertaken. There was stronger competition. Membership always decreased when a society went on repeating works in a circle. The fault of declining membership was generally due to a failure to comprehend the need for radical changes in policy. Everybody in New Zealand Boomed interested in music, which was not the case in England. Here the business and professional men were the backbone of tho musical societies. He hoped the. Christchurch Society would take the lead in introducing now works. Attractive and diverse programmes and energetic advertising were necessary.