“BROTHERS IN SONG”

Evening Star, Issue 22336, 12 May 1936, Page 5

“BROTHERS IN SONG”

MALE CHOIR JUBILEE DINNER CONCLUDES CELEBRATION Concluding the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Royal Dunedin Male Choir, a dinner was held in the University Club rooms last night, Mr J. Thomson presiding over a large attendance. Following the toast of “ The King.” Mr W. It. Sinclair led a short community sing. In proposing the toast of “ The Doyal Dunedin Male Choir,” Mr J. A. Hopcraft, said that it was a unique celebration in the history of choirs in Now Zealand. ’There was one present who was one of the original members of the choir-—the president, Mr IV. Ibbotsou. There were very few of the original members still living. He was pleased to see Mr Farquhar Young present at the function. He had come from Christchurch for the express purpose of attending the jubilee. The society was unique in that it had had only four presidents in its 50 years of existence—the Hon. George M’Lean, Messrs D. M'Pherson, D. K. Theomm. and W. Ibbotson, The speaker mentioned many other officers of the society who had died, recalling the name of Dr Ulrich, who, along with many others, had been of great service to the society. There were still many who took n deep interest in. the affairs of the society. Ho also referred to the work accomplished by the conductors of the choir— Mr S. M. Moyle. Herr Beno Sohcrek, Mr A. J. Barth', Signor R. Squarise, Mr Jesse Timson, and Dr V. E. Galway. All these men had been hacked up well by members, who had tried to do their utmost for the society. The speaker had been a member for 45 years, and had always wished to see the society advance. His wish had been fulfilled, and there was now a large membership, which worked under the baton of Dr Galway. In the early days of the society there was a convivial spirit existing'between the members, but at that time there was only a small membership. Now there was a much larger membership, and practices had to be held in a small room, which did not lend itself to such conviviality, so it was pleasing to have members meeting as they were that night as brothers —“ brothers in song.” Stating that he was n proud and happy man to ho president of the society, Mr W. Ibbotson said that he had tried to forward the interests of the choir during his connection with it. He mentioned that the choir continued its work in a very quiet wav for a few years, but it was the effort's of Mr Hopcraft that had made it what it was to-day. Dr Galwav also replied, and mentioned that fie had had a message from Mr 11. S. Black that night. The latter was still undergoing medical treatment following a recent accident, and regretted that he could not be present. The dinner was the concluding part of the jubilee celebrations. First, _ there was a jubilee concert, which, in his opinion, was a magnificent effort; then there was the special service at First Church Inst Sunday, when 66 members turned out and sang wonderfully at the service. The present enthusiasm of the members of the choir augured well for its future. He impressed upon nil the necessity of keeping up a steady influx of recruits to the ranks of the choir. The toast of “ The Stalwarts of the Past ” was proposed by Mr J. C. H. Somerville, who mentioned such members as Messrs W. Wright Farquhar Young, J. Jago (one of the greatest basses in Dunedin in the old days), Jesse Timson (who was a great man and a great musician, who did a tremendous amount for the society), and “ dear old dad,” Mr W. Ibbotson, who sang in the first quartet formed by the society, which was then the Liedertafe). He also mentioned the number of members who had served with the society for long periods of years, and spoke of the tremendous work accomplished by the secretaries—Messrs J. A. Hopcraft, R. F. Algie, and J. G. Butler, the latter having served for the last 14 years. In replying, Mr T. S. Searle spoke of the early davs of the society. From 1886 to 1936 465 members had been entered in the society’s hook®. He referred to the original quartet, am! mentioned the first office-bearers of the society, stating that the success of the societv was accounted for by the fact that it had had men of outstanding ability. He also referred to the conductors and acting conductors of the society, and to those men who had presided at the piano—Messrs J. S. Norman, Otto Schweers, J. Timson, W. E. Taylor. J. A. Haggitt. J. E. Easton, C.'A. Martin, Paget Gale, E. Hayward, T. J. Kirk-Burniiaud, J. A. Aldridge, and Colin Oliver. The society had also been very fortunate in its choice of secretaries. During its 50 years of hie the society had presented 16 gold lyres to its members, while 175 gold bars had been awarded for attendances. Other toasts honoured were “ Kindred Societies,” proposed by Mr J. A. Hopcraft, and responded to by Colonel Moir (Returned Soldiers’ Choir), Mr A. I*els (Dunedin Choral Society), and Mr E. Kerr (Dunedin Orchestral Society) ; “ The Press and Performers,” proposed by the Rev. J. D. Smith. At the conclusion of the toast list several members engaged in exchanging reminiscences, and the gathering concluded with the singing of Anld Lang Syne.’ ~ , , A musical programme was eontnputea to hv the following:—Mr John Pringle (song), Mr T. Coutts (humorous interlude), Mr R. Dunbar (song), A. Walmslev and J. J). lU'KecliTiie (duet), Mr 11. Dunbar and Mr E. Pans (songs), Mr W. Farquhar Young (recital), Mr J. H. R. Leo (song), and the quartet—Messrs J. Kennedy, D. Inglis, J. Pringle, and L. Dunbar.