SERVICE OF SONG

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 45, 17 November 1936, Page 3

SERVICE OF SONG

Wellington Harmonic Society TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE (By V.R.8.) Ln view of the “coming-of-agfe” of the Wellington Harmonic Society this year, and having in mind its record of achievements during the past 21 years in the musical life of the capital city, a few notes on its history will doubtless be of interest. The society can ho dated back even further than 1915, for when in that year it was constituted the Harmonic Society, it was the natural outcome of a smaller organisation which had been functioning for some time. On December 10, 1909, there met at the home of Mr. W. McClellan, eight vocalists who. with one other as pianist, decided to form themselves into a concert party for the double purpose of their own enjoyment and the assistance of worthy causes in and around Wellington. It was soon found that there was plenty of scope for such a body, and that it could with advantage be increased in size, and in 1910— probably about August, as subsequent annual reports were for the year ended July 31—the Brooklyn Glee Club was formed, and for some years gave concerts in and around the city for various deserving causes. In March, 1914, Mr. McClellan, who had since the beginning acted as conductor, left Wellington. The choir members, anxious that the club should continue, approached Mr. Temple White, who had not long been a resident of Wellington, and requested him to take over the position of conductor. This he consented to do, commencing his duties shortly after Easter, 1914. The club at this period held its weekly practice in Brooklyn, and after some time it became evident that the body would be more prosperous and get more members if the name were changed and practices held in the city Xiroper. About the middle of 1915 the name was changed to the Wellington Harmonic Society, and on June 2 of that year the first regular practice in town was held at the Y.M.C.A., where the society has continued to practice ever since. Up to this time the society did not regularly give concerts on its own behalf, but in order to ensure its financial stability it was now decided to enrol subscribing members and to give three subscription concerts each year for the funds of the organisation, and this has been the practice ever since. Long Service by 'Officers.

It is interesting to note the length of service given to the society by numerous officers and' others. At the second annual meeting a letter was read which stated that their Excellencies the Earl and Counters of Liverpool would be pleased to accept office as patrons of the society. All Governors and Governess-General since that date, with their ladies, have occupied that position. The list of officers has always included the name of the mayor of Wellington, generally as a vicepresident. The simiety has had only one president, Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., while one of its vice-presidents, Mr. F. S. Pope, has been continuously in that office since his election at the first annual meeting in 1915. Air. Temple White has been the only conductor.

Of the original eight who met in December, 1909, only one is at the present an active member of the choir. Although from 1912 to 1921 she was unable to take an active part in the society, she was all the time keenly interested in the choir and its work, and when in 1921 circumstances again permitted her to take up active membership, she was elected librarian, in which position, as well as that of a chorister, she has faithfully served the society ever since. To Airs. V. R. Bennett, therefore, belongs the honour of being the only present active m,ember of the choir who was in the original eight out of which the society has grown. The office of honorary secretary, too, has not been held by many, and the present occupant of that position (Air. A'ictor R. Bennett) has held it since 1916.

The society has always been keenly interested in music for the young Iteople, and has on occasions organised special concerts for school pupils, both primary and secondary, while at other times these have been admitted to concerts when space permitted at a merely nominal charge. It is doubtless on account of this interest in the scholars that the names of various Ministers of Education have appeared in. the list of vice-presidents, such being Air. H. Atmore, Air. S. G. Smith, and the Hon. P. Fraser. The iiresident also was at one time -a Alinister of Education.

The society gives regularly three subscription concerts each year, and for the whole time it has been in existence has striven to include on each programme something fresh, and it is doubtful if a programme lias ever been presented without at least one new number —a record of which the society is justly proud. In addition, it cannot iw charged with tedious repetition, for ft is the practice not: to repeat a number, unless by request or for some special reason such as the anniversary of the composer, etc., without an interval of at least three years. The excellent library of part-songs enables this to be done quite easily. The speciality of the choir is unaccompanied part-singing, but its work has bv no means been limited to this. In 1921 and again in 1929 it gave Alfred Hill’s "Hinemoa"; in .1926 it jiresented Claude Al. Haydon’s grand opera “Paolo and Francesca”; in 1919. Ernest Truman's “The Pied Piper”; in 1920. Gounod’s "Alesse Solennelle.” In 1920, too. the society gave an entire lirogrnnime of works by Sir Edward Elgar. Praise by Percy Grainger. Probably tlie most outstamling event was the concert in November, 1935, with Air. and Airs. Percy Grainger. Before leaving New Zealand, Mr. Grainger, the eminent pianist and composer, wrote of this concert: “I don’t know that 1 can recall any choral programme of my works, in any city of the world, in which every item was rendered with the unvarying perfection attained on November 23. . . . The tone of the Harmonic Society and the Apollo Singers was delicious in all their work, and their balance and blend of sonorities impeccable. ’These noble choral bodies deserve the utmost support that can Ito given them.”

The Harmonic Society has bo.cn responsible for bringing before Wellington audiences artists sneh as Lox Macdonald. the boy soprano, who in 1932 created a furore on bis visit to Australia ; also Miss Mary Pratt, contralto. whom John Brownlee recommended for grand opera in Paris—unfortunately his recommendation could not be taken advantage of. Tn addition to the concerts for its subscribing members, the society lias

always been willing to assist worthy objects, and has on occasions organied concerts for such funds as unemployment relief, earthquake relief, National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum, X.M.C.A., etc., and by this means has been responsible for raising a substantial' amount. In many cases, too, members have willingly assisted in combined choirs got together for special occasions. Last month, as part of its celebrations on “coming of age,” the choir visited Wanganui, Feilding, and Palmerston North, over a week-end, giving a concert in each centre for a worthy object. It was a most successful tour, and the choir created a favourable impression wherever it was heard. In further celebration the programme at the concert to be held on Thursday evening will bo composed mostly of numbers asked for by the regular patrons. In keeping with the usual custom, two now pieces will be given, hut the balance of the choir numbers have been selected from lists sent in bv subscribers and others. It is hoped by those responsible for the management of the society . that the publie will first of all assist in the celebration by attending on Thursday evening, and second, give it the support which Mr. Grainger has said it deserves by becoming associated as regular patrons.