MUSIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1200, 1 March 1895, Page 29

MUSIC.

FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY.

A meeting of the Festival Choral Society took place last Friday in Thomas and Co/s Hall. Sir, James Prendergast (Chief: Justice) presided, supported by Sir Robert Stout, M.H.R., and Dr Wallis (Bishop/of Wellington). There was a large attendance* of the performing members of the Society, the ladies largely predominating. Sir James Prendergast, in opening the proceedings, said that it was the desire of those who were engaged in the, formation of the Wellington Choral Society that it should be reinforced from the mass of the* community without regard to creed OF class. This was necessary in order that the very best available talent might her enlisted in its service, and so that rising ability might be readily recognised. One of the first requisites, he remarked, was the possession of a hall well adapted for the Society's purposes. In saying this, he had no intention or desire to disparage the advantages of the hall in which they were met, because he recognised that it had supplied a want which had long been felt. Bishop Wallis thanked the Society for: proposing to make him one of its vicepresidents. It. was the first public compliment that had been paid him in Wellington, and he felt immensely grateful for it. He was proud of Wellington for what it had done at the late musical festival. No city of the size in England could have, done so well or achieved so great a success in the performance of music o£ so high a standard. It was said that men who came out to the colonies from Home usually came with the idea that they had everything to teach, and nothing to learn. If that idea had ever been in his mind it had certainly been knocked completely out of him since be arrived. Sir Robert Stout cordially agreed with, the saying of a public man that there were* two things which we needed in order to create a national feeling: music and painting. Now a great many musical societies in this Colony had been permanently injured by want of harmony. He hoped, therefore, this new Society would be able to avoid the causes which had brought about so unfortunate a result. We would always be glad to welcome the great virtuosi of the Old World, but it should also be our ambition to produce and send Home some great painters and musicians;. If the Society were to attain the best and highest results its members must practise the virtue of selt-effacement. Mr D. T. Stuart proposed " That the Society consist of a president, three vicepresidents, a treasurer, a secretary and a librarian, and that the consideration of the proposed rules be taken afterwards." Mr Waterson seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. The following officers were then elected: —Patron, His Excellency the Governor ; president, Sir James Prendergast;, vice-; presidents, Dr Wallis (Bishop of WelliSg"--ton), Sir Eobert Stout and Mr W. T. Glasgow; secretary, Mr Theo. H. Eitchey; librarian, Mr A. E. Waterson; committee, Mrs C. C. Barron, Mrs Mackintosh, Miss Swainson, Captain Barclay, Mr Cyril Dasent and Mr A. M. Lewis.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr A, Gray for the services he had rendered the Society. After the election of the officers, the chairman retired, accompanied by the Bishop and Sir Robert Stout. Under the presidency of Mr P. T. Stuart, the rules which had been drawn up for the guidance of the Society were then considered seriatim and duly passed. Only two material amendments were made. One was as to the title of the Society, the designation decided upon being " Wellington Festival Choral Society."" The other was in rule 17, which read as follows : —" On payment, in advance, of one guinea per annum, any subscriber shall be entitled to two tickets for each of three concerts in that year. Payment, in advance, of two guineas per annum, shall entitle a subscriber to five tickets for each of such concerts. The subscription payable by members shall be 10s per annum, to be paid in advance." It was amended by the addition of the following words : —" But members who pay one guinea shall be entitled to two tickets." Rule 10 provides that the conductor shall be elected at the annual meeting, that he shall be a paid officer, and that he shall be subject to the directions of the committee. After this came the business of electing a conductor. Mr W. S. Short proposed the election of Mr Robert Parker, and in doing so referred to the many services which Mr Parker had rendered to the cause of music in Wellington. Mrs W. B. Hudson seconded the motion. The chairman took the opportunity to eulogise Mr Parker's musical qualifications and enthusiasm. The motion was agreed to by acclamation.