WELLINGTON CHORAL UNION

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 43, 19 February 1918, Page 11

WELLINGTON CHORAL UNION

'ANNUAL REPORT.

In its thirteenth annual- report the committee of the Wellington Choral Union says: —During" the season four concerts were given, namely: "Maritana," "A Tale of Old Japan," "The Messiah," and "Maritaria" was repeated in aid of the funds of the Red Crp?s Society and the Y!M.C.A. Trench Comforts F»nd. ' It is to be regretted that tho ampunt handed over was liot so large as expected, owing principally to the bad weather affecting the attendance and the additional expense of having to bring Mr. Duff from Dunediu to sing the tenor part, Mr. Ernest; Drake being unable at the last mimite to pbtain the necesary leave, and further, in having to pay the full rate for the Town Hall.

The following are the several artists who took the principal parts in the various works during the season:—Madame Elsie Davies, Misses Hel.en Gardner, Mina Caldow, Mrs. Maurice Jones, Messrs Ernest Drake, Martin Duff. G. W. Eilby, Frank Charlton, Hamilton Hodges, and Charles Moore.

The union, frpm a^ musical standpoint, is making its influence felt in the city, and its success in this connection is due in a very large measure to its conductor, Mr. Robert Parker, and the deputy-con-ductor, Mr. H. Temple White. In spite of adverse" conditions, the committee is pleased to report that the year has ended with a'credit balance of £16 19s 2d." '

At the last annual meeting Mr. F. W. Rowley, was appointed apepmpanist, but, owing to pressure of business, was unable to act. Tlie vacancy has been most capably filled by Miss Dorothy Mills, .whose ' services have been greatly' appreciated by the union. ';■ In view of the probable restricted income of the union, the committee deems it inadvisable to recommend the appointment of,a- deputy-conductor for the. en : suing year.

The committee has again to report that, owing to the large number who have answered their country's .call, the male section of the chorus Has b,een further considerably weakened.'" This shortage pould easily be overcome if members would realise that the success of the coming "year's work depends t.o a large extent, pn their individual efforts in securing more' members, both performing and subscribing. The committee recommends that Mr. R. Parker be invited to accept the position of musical conductor for the ensuing year. In this connection they would like to mention that 1918 completes the 40th year of Mr. Parker's work as a conductor. It wpr/l.d further suggest, as Mr. Parker has expressed a wish to conduct "Elijah"' during his final year, that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to arrange for the production of that work as a complimentary performance to him. •■ '