ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 5 February 1931, Page 10

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

HAWERA ANNUAL MEETING

PROPOSAL TO INSTITUTE CHORAL SECTION.

The annual meeting of tlio Hawera Orchestral Society was held in the Methodist Schoolroom, Haweraj last evening. There was a good attendance of members, Mr J. M. Townsend (president) occupying the chair. Before proceeding with the ordinary business the meeting passed a vote of sincere sympathy with the bereaved and distressed residents of the earthquake stricken area, the chairman referring to the disaster as “one of the most appalling that has ever occurred in the history of the Dominion.”

The following annual report submitted by the president was read and adopted: “The society lias had another successful year from the point of view of orchestral endeavour, although our balance-sheet shows that we have incurred a small loss of £1 9s 5d on the year’s undertaking. This loss is brought about mainly by an honorarium last season which was paid this year, otherwise the society would have shown a small profit! I have to compliment active members on their loyalty to the society in paying their active members’ subscriptions promptly. We were successful in collecting no less than the sum of £22 14s 9d from this source. Our honorary members . stand at practically the same as last year, but I would like to impress on each and every member the absolute necessity for a further canvass to secure more honorary members. The ooncesson to honorary members is quite liberal and we should all make a point of trying to assist the society m this connection. Membership fees outstanding amount to £27 6s, the greater proportion of which, however, is collectable. Two concerts were held during the year and both were highly successful. The popularity of the society is demonstrated by the fact that the cash takings lor the first and second concerts were £l6 greater than those of the previous year. The expenses, however, increased in proportion, and it will surprise many to learn that to produce one concert invoivou an expenditure or £O6. Our conductor, wane in liUigland, was ame to purchase a set of •I’ympani' at a ver> low cost, out after duty and other charges had been paid, tiie ultimate cost was approximately £SO. We hope for this year’s wont to be able to reduce expenses, and while the financial position of the country is not good at present, I am certain that if the members rally round the conductor and attend their practices assiduously we will be able, by our performances and our good name, to demand equally as good a following oi the public as we have had heretofore.”

The balance-sheet, which also, was adopted, showed that the society’s receipts, including subscriptions £l2O Ss 6d and concerts £AS 9s 9d, totalled £166 8s 3d. The principal items of expenditure totalling £167 17s 8d were honorariums £3ss 10s, rent of practice hall £l2 15s, concert expenses £llO 6s 4d and sundry expenses £7 4s 4d, leaving a debit of £1 9s sd. The assets of the society were estimated at £165 os 7d and the principal liability was to the Bank of Australasia for the amount of £55 14s 6d. Arising from the minutes of the previous annual meeting the chairman said that, with the assistance of Miss Bates, he had reviewed the rules of the society, but had no suggestions to offer for the amendment of any section of the rules. Last year it had been suggested as desirable that rule 9 should be amended for the greater representation of active members of the committee controlling the affairs of the society. The sneaker, however, did not consider that such an amendment was necessary.

It was decided that each member he supplied with a copy of the rules for perusal. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow: Patron, Mr 15. A. Pacey (Mayor); president. Mr J. M, Townsend (unanimously re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs H. G. Dickie, M.P., L. A. Bone, E. Dixon, P. T. Donnelly, \Y. A. Spragg, G. E. Laidlaw and Dr. McGhie; conductor, Air H. C. A. Fox; deputy-conductor, Mrs \Y. A. Quin; orchestral leader, Mr J. Moloney; honorary accompaniste, Aliss Doris Sime, D.R.A.AI.; treasurer, Mrs F. G. King; librarian, Aliss Rita Hawkins; roll steward. Airs J. Simpson; ■committee, Alesss AY. K. Snowsill, F. C. Foden, H. X. Lester, Ali-ss AI. Dolan and Miss E. Rogers; secretary, Mr H. 15. Robinson; auditor. Air T. F. AlcKenzie. It was resolved that a letter of thanks he sent to Air AloKenzie expressing appreciation of his services; also to Afiss Blake in recognition of her work at, the theatre booking office. The chairman reported that the Alethodist choir had donated £o to the funds of the society in appreciation of services rendered by the orchestra in the production of the ‘‘Creation.” The announcement was applauded and the secretary was instructed to forward a letter of thanks to the choir. The conductor appealed for increased active membership during tihe coming year. Hawera and district was i ich in the number of its talented musicians, said Air Fox, and every endeavour should be made to increase the playing strength of the society. IVith encouragement he saw no reason why the orchestra should not have the services of up to SO musicians. Air Fox also mentioned the proposal to form a choral society in Hawera. Such a society had been proposed, hut its actual formation had not reached practical: form. He considered that the orchestral society should give a lead and attempt choral work this year as well as orchestral work. It was possible to secure the services of fully of) vocalists for such an effort. Air Fox mentioned as a suitable work Mendelssohn's “Hymn of Praise,” and said that he would gladly do all in his power to train flu*, chorus for this production. Following a brief discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Airs Quin, sonndod hv the chairman. that the proposal to undertake choral work he udopfod and that the society produce Alendelssohn’is ‘‘Hymn of Praise” as suggested by (lie conductor.

Tt was decided that orchestral practices commence on Tuesday next. February 10.