DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 11684, 17 February 1902, Page 3

DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY

The Committee of (he above will present the following report for the, year ended Decern her 51, 1901. at the next annual meeting;

The woiks performed by the .society during the vear weie Costa's ‘ Naainan, Han riel’s ‘Sam son,' ‘Judas Maccabeus,’ and 'The (Messiah’ twin. The first, }ierfurmance of 'Tic AL-ssi.il) ’ was given in con nection with the visit to Dunedin of Madame Belle Cole and Mr John I’i'ouse. who look ihc contralto and bass parts vcspectivcly. The performing numbers' toil dining the vear lias hardly’ hern so satisfactory as in The post . The follow ing arc The numbers on the. roll a,I the end of ihc year Soprano:' 68, contraltos 64, tenors 26. and basses 56. The average, attendance has been very well sustained, but the Committee think that effort should be. directed to keep (he number of performing members always over 250. Though there has been a .slight, falling off in the number of female voices, the Committee consider that: tho quality lias Irecn maintained. The Committee would urge upon performing members the necessity of'attending the rehearsals with regularity, in order lo relam the high standard already achieved by the society, the strongest feature of which has always been their efficient chorus. The opinions expressed by the public and the Press during the past year have been very gratifying, and this fact should stimulate members to greater exertions in the, future. The honorary mem hers’roll still stands al about 140. It is: to be hoped that during the coining year even’ effort, will be made to greatly increase The list, as the assured income so acquired would relieve the management of much anxiety. Your Committee, considering that the item of piano hire bulked too hugely in the annual expenditure, resolved to utilise the amount lying at deposit in the Savings Bank for the purchase of a piano. They have accordingly entered one direct from Messrs Boosey and Co., id London, and expect it to arrive shortly. ,1 Hey have aim obtained some music Horn the same firm for a conceit of miscellaneous English works which it. is proposal to perform during the winter. The society me greatly indebted to the following members of the chorus who have undertaken solo work during the vear:—Mrs R. Haw midge, Messrs T. Holgate, W. Thomson, and T. W. Elater —whose services' were rendered in a most efficient and willing manner. Thanks arc also due to those ladies and r'c-ntlemeu who have assisted in the orchestra. The condition of the latter body is still, however, of an unsatisfactory chaiacter,- and the placing of it on a more efficient and immanent footing wants immediate attention. Amur Committee would also express their cordial appreciation of the service's rendered by Miss Olivo Little, honorary pianist; Air -J. Coombs, conduw tor; Afr 0. ]>■ Arlidge. lion, treasurer; Mr H. B. Austing. bon. librarian; and Mr H, (;’ Campbell, bon. secretary. Your Committee recommend that Mendelssohn's ‘St. Paul’ be put into rehearsal as tho first work of the new year, that a. miscellaneous concert of English music be given for the second concert of the season, and that for the third concert, the work which has yet to bo decided upon by the incoming Committee.