CHORAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 14496, 22 February 1911, Page 8

CHORAL SOCIETY

Tho annual meeting of the Dunedin Choral' Society wu held last evening, tho president (Mr G. M. Thomson, M-P-) prodding over a largo attendance of members. The a-nmml report rood oe follows : During the season three ordinary concerts were held, and on Wednesday, December 21, the usual performance of ino Messiah’ was hold, and the public supported tho society liberally by attending in large numbers, to which fact our fa— y satisfactory financial position is largely duo. The first work of the society -or 1911 will bo Mendelssohn’s | Elijah, which is one of the pieces to bo given by the itr Hairiss Auxiliary Choir (of which tho society form a part) on the occasion of the Sheffield Choir’s visit to Dunedin in tho early part of Julv of this yea Jr. Tho balance-sheet showed that there was a credit of £1 la Id. There wore a number of unpaid subscriptions, amounting to £ll lls, and some proceeds of ’ Ine Messiah ’ tickets (£7 12s) yet to come in. The President expressed pleasure at again meeting members of the society. They were now in their fifteenth, year. It said a good deal for tho vitality of the society that they had been able to last, fifteen years. Most of the societies he had had to deal with and hud been organised some years ago had now fallen through. Ho had heard tho Sydney Philharmonic givo a rendering of ' The Messiah, an< l His mind it compared very unfavorably with tho local Choral Society’s past performances. He would like now to see the members take some new work in hand. They needed a good deal more solid choral work. During tho incoming year they were to work in conjunction with Dr Harrius's Festival Choir. Ho hoped this would stimulate members to do their very best at rehearsals and concerts. The speaker said that thi. c vears aco they were in worse financial difficulties than at present. At that tune Mr Reid had com l to their irseue, and pul.cd them out of the lire. I heir present position might have been hotter if several outetanding subscriptions had boon and also there were some proceeds from Iho Messiah’ concert- yet to come in. People were constantly asking why tho Committee did not get better soloists for their concert. It was all very well to say that; but good soloists proved a big espouse, and until they got better Hippo; t front the general public they could not bring big performers in. He counselled meiubets to secure move members, both actue and subscribing. He had much pleasure ii moving the adoption of the repoifc and balance-sheet. —(Applause.) Mr W E. C. Reid seconded the motion, which was carried amidst applause. The election of office-bearers resulted : President, Mr G. M- Thomson. M.P. : acting chairman, Air V . E- C. Heid : vice-presidents-Messrs A. S. Paterson. H. B. Courtis, J Livingston, IV. Wilson, M. Wiil?, 0. C. Israel. Tory Rev. Doan Fitfbett, Professor D. R. Wlute. W. J. Morrell, and W. E. C. Reid; committee— Madame Von Txiok. Mr? 11. F. Wnght, Miss J. D. Hooper, Messrs L. Pop?. J- G. Moody, J. Christie. W. L. T/ogie: hqn. ronclnctor, Mr Ja?. Coombs; lion, orgmist, Mr D. Cooke; hon. librarian, Mr W. T. Wallace ; assistant. Mr V. E. B. Courtis : hon. pianist. Miss L. Fernie, A.T.C.L.; hon. treasurer, Mr A. B. Stewart; hon. secretary, Mr J. L. Stewart Wright. Mr •Tames Coombs’s re-election as lion, conductor was carried meet enthusiasticadv. and several members tendered in eulocisric terms their appreciation of Mr Coombs's services. Mr Wallace, as librarian, was given a rpecinl vote of thanks for Ins work in that department. The following recommendation was received froom Dr llarriss’s Auxiliary Committee ;—That tho Committee of tho Danedin Choral i c, tv be requested to invite the various choirs forming the auxiliary choir of Dr Hanks's Empire conceits to attend the wceklv practices of the society. -—The Choral Committee, who had discussed the matter, recommended that tho request bo complied with.—Accordingly-^ Tho meeting concluded wth a sucoecsiul practice of Mendelssohn's 1 Elijah.’