THE AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3195, 12 October 1867, Page 4

THE AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

We have received from the committee of the Choral Society the accompanying report at the close of their first year, which we have much pleasure in publishing ; because we think it the duty of public journalists to do what they can to encourage the growth of associations devoted to the object of wholesome amusement or science. We have endeavoured, during the past year, to furnish critiques of the performances of this Society, and are aware that some of them have met with the cordial approval of the more advanced musicians, and it is our pur' pose to continue to give as much space to reviews of the music placed before their subscribers by the Society as the demands of more public matters will permit. We observe that the committee are now informing the world of the character of the constitution of the Society, and it occurs to us that that this information might have been furnished at a somewhat earlier date, for it cannot have been unknown to the committee that they might have greatly enlarged their numbers, if they had only told the good folks of Auckland how they could gain admittance. The pieces of music which seem to be still available 'are sufficient to promise ample resources for the forthcoming year. Many of theße are well known to the musical world, but others, we must confess, are known to us only by repute. Schachner's "Beturn from Babylon " is very highly spoken of, and the Mass by Gounod, the author of " Faust," has a European fame : though, as yet, it has not, as far as we know, crossed the line. One remark of the committee gives us, we must confess, an agreeable surprise, though we think that the committee are very right in qualifying their promises on the subject. "If the instrumental band are able to perform them," the constant succession of oratorios and masses is to be varied by two or three evenings in which will be given septets, quintets, &c, a class of of music never hitherto heard in Auckland. And operatic and other music of a lighter character (such as overtures) will be added, as the report quaintly phrases it, " for the benefit of those whose taste does not delight in the higher order of music." We fear that we must rank ourselves amongst these unfortunates, and are duly grateful that the committee have not forgotten that there is a large class of their fellow townsmen who find more pleasure in melody^than in abstruse and ever-changing harmonies. If we are musical heretics, we must be contented, and satisfy ourselves with the knowledge that our musical leaders are recognizing our existence, and are preparing to minister to our frailties. The maxim in political economy which the committee have established as their " first rule" is a very excellent one in times like these, and if they continue to succeed in never transgressing it they may have a long life before them. " Omne tulit punctum gui miscuit utile dulci" is particularly applicable to musical societies, and we congratulate the Society on having achieved such a desirable object. It is to be hoped that the wish expressed, of making further provision for the physical comfort of the audience, which we suppose is the musical way of saying that there will be provided softer seats, with backs to them, may be speedily carried into practice, for, however well adapted the backless benches of the Mechanics' Institute may be to keep the attention awake to the beauties of a political lecture, they certainly do not induce the easy dreamy frame of mind which is supposed to be the proper state in which fitly to appreciate the effect of the " concord of sweet sounds." We are glad to see that " The Messiah," dear above all musical compositions to the English nation, is to be given as usual on Christmas Eve. Could not the Society manage to find a larger room on that occasion, and throw their doors open to every one P JLDDKKS3 BY THB COMMITTBI OJ THE CHORAL SOCIETY TO ITS MIMBBBS. The first year of the Society's existence, which terminated on the 30th of September, bas been marked by a ilow but regular progress in the number of our memberi and the character of our per* iormances. The Society hai given fire concerts daring the year, confuting of Handel'i Mommq, Beethov&'i

Mass in C, Mozart's Twilfth M»w, Elvey's Ke3urrection and Ascenxion, Mendelsohn's St. Paul, and Haydn'a Creation ; and the commtfcee are glad to be able (o state that, though they have exceeded th.ir promise in this respeot, yet the expenditure has been kept below the income, and the Society has now a small balance in hand. t It mutt be remembered that the Society has been entirely dependent upon private source* for the muiio it has performed, and it is not probable that, so long as the preient depression continues, any funds will be available for the purchasing of new music However, the committee are happy to say that they hare still at their disposal the full orchestral parts of the following works, in addition to those that have already been performed : — Handel : Samion ; laraelin Egypt ; Judas Maccabaeus ; Alexander's Feast ; Aois and Galatea. Mendelssohn : Hymn of Praise ; Elijah, Beethoven:Engedi,orDavidinthe Wilderness. Spohr: Last Judgment. Rossini: Stabat Mater. "Weber: Mass in G ; Mass in E flat. Sterndale Bennett : May Queen and Richard Cceur de Leon. Sohachner: Israel's Return from Babylon. Gounod: Mesie Solennelle. Beethoven's symphonies, and a Urge number of quintets, quartet*, trios, and septet arrangements of symphonies by Haydn, Mozart, Hinmel, and others, have also been lent to the Society, and the committee propose during the ensuing year to set apart one or two evenings in which works of this character may be produced, if it be found that the instrumental band is able to perform them. Some operatio and other xmuio of r a lighter oharacter (suoh as overtures) will also be addr a, for those whose taste does not delight in the higher order of music. And it is proposed during the ensuing year to produce as many of the above-named piece* as the committee Shall find practicable, the number of performances being regulated, of course, partly by the proficiency of the members and the consequent amount of time required for practice, and partly by the income of the Society. The "Messiah" will be performed, as usual, on Christmas Eve. It is further proposed to take some steps for increasing the comfort of the honorary members and others who may attend the concerts, if the state of the funds will permit ; but; the committee are determined to inour no expense that they cannot immediately liquidate, for their first rule is, to avoid getting into debt. It is very desirable, therefore, that they should be enabled to ascertain, as soon as possible, the amount of income they may expect during the year ; and they particularly request that all members who may have any persons to propose for admission to the Society will forward their names at once to some member of the committee. It would also ba well that members should acquaint their friends that persons wishing to join the Sooiety as honorary members should address |tbe Honorary Secretary, in writing, to that effect ; so that all intending subscribers may be enabled to attend the first conceit of the year, which will take place in the month of November. It is desirable to remind members of the different classes of tickets, namely, to performing member*, halfa-guinea per annum, to admit to the concerts the subscriber and one member of his family ; and, to non-performing members, one guinea per annum to admit the subscriber and one member of his family, or one guinea and a-half to admit himself and the whole of his family living with him. New cards will be immediately issued for the year ; and it will be a great convenience to the honorary treasurer if members will pay fir them at once. In future the cards will be taken at the door at each concert, and returned to the subscribers in the circulars announcing the succeeding one. In conclusion, the committee think that they are justified in congratulating themselves and the Society upon the success which ha; attended their first year. Where so many have rendered valuable services, it would be ungracious to particularise any. The committee therefore content themselves with tendering to the performing members their gratitude for the able and ready assistance which they have experienced at their hands, aa well as for the hearty zeal and # 'good-will which have seconded their efforts ; while to the non-performing subscribers they would express the hope that they are not dissatisfied with the efforts of their fellow members, and that they will in the future show the same good nature and kind forbeaianoe which have characterised them during the past year. Auckland, October 8, 1867.