MUSICAL FESTIVAL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1628, 13 May 1903, Page 56

MUSICAL FESTIVAL

The proposal to establish a Musical Festival in Wellington is being enthusiastically received by the public. At a meeting on Friday at "the Dresden Rooms, the resolution that the festival should be held in October next was affirmed, and executive officers were appointed, and a guarantee fund formed.. Air William Gill, who Avas voted to tho chair, said that an article which had appeared in the “New "Zealand Times” very well expressed what those promoting the festival Avere aiming at-: Some would ask, “Why not Avait for tha Town Hall before arranging for a festival ?” but he AA r as sure that as Mr Robert Parker Avould attain this year the silver jubilee of his Avork in Wellington, his friends would like to mark that period in his history in the way suggested. (Applause.) Moreover, from this festival might be obtained tho nucleus oi a great musical union which would continue its work after the festival and be in existence Avhen tho Town Hall Avas ready. He thought it a reproach to the musical people of Wellington that there was no choral society in this city. (Hear, heard He suggested that Mr Parker would have no difficulty in getting together a chorus of 400 voices and’a band of 100 performers, so that a festival might be held Avhiah would be> a credit to the colony generally.

Air J. W. Joynt moved, “That this meeting fully concurs Avith tho resolution passed at the preliminary meeting, namely, ‘That it is desirable to hold a musical festival in Wellington during tho last week in October, not only in the general interests of choral music, hut also as a suitable mode of commemorating Mr Robert Parker’s twentyfifth year of musical life in Wellington* —and pledges itself to give effect to it.” .Mr Joynt observed that there was not a musical person aa'lio did not regret tho«absence of choral Avork on a large scale in Wellington. Not only was the festival desirable in the interests of choral music, but; also to commemorate Mr Parker’s musical life in Wellington ; and the last ground would, equally with tho first; appeal to everyone. The motion, Avhieb was seconded by Mr J. S. Jameson, and supported by Mi D. T. Stuart, Avas unanimously agreed to. Mr J. A. Plimmer proposed. “That those present bo the General Committee. with power to add to their numuar, and that the following gentlemen form tho Executive Committee:—Messrs William Gill, A. I. Grab ham, J. F. Carr, E. C. Cachemaille, A. G. Kemp, J. S. Jameson, Captain Barclay, iviessrg T ,H. Ritchey, Mr J. A. M. and F. V. Waters, with the conductor, -treasurer and secretary a 3 members ex-officio.” Mr R. E. Bannister seconded the motion, which Avas agreed to.

Mr Grabham moved:—"That his Excellency the Governor bo req’»ested to ; act- as patron, his Worship the Mayor as president, and the following gentlemen as vice-presidents:—Right Hon. the Premier, Sir J. G. Ward, Hen. W. C. Walker, Sir Robert Stout. Sir James Hector, Most Rev. Archbishop Redwood, Right Rev. tlie- Bishop of Wellington, Rev. James Paterson, Rev. T. H. Sprott, Rev. W. A. Evans, Hon. C. J. ' Johnston, M.L.C., Messrs John Duthie, M.H.R., H. D. Bell A. *de B. Brandon, W. H. Quick, R. C. Kirk, William Gill, A H. Miles, G. E. Tob hurst, J. H. B. Coates, D. J. Natnan* J. R. Blair, J. W. Joynt, W. T. Glasgow, J. A. JPlimmor, Dr Collins, Dr Fyffe. Messrs R. C. Hamerton, J. Blundell, D. T. Stuart. W. A. Fitzherhert, F. Bradey, David J. Otto Schwartz, and W. Pars£jig.” This motion, seconded by 'Mr R. S. Rounthwaite, was also agreed to. It was decided, on the motion of Mr F. V. Waters, seconded by Captain Barclay, that Mr Robert Parker should ho musical director, Mr E. H. Dean hen. treasurer, and Mr H. A. Parker hon. secretary. Mr Gill stated that the Opfcra House would be free from the 23rd till the 29th October. It was accordingly decided to engage it for those dates. / This will give six clear days for the festival.

Mr Robert Parker, who spoke at the request of the chairman, said ho had been very much touched by the unanimity with which this movement had been taken up. He felt quite sure that the result of the festival would be a binding together of A great deal was said from time to time about the apathy of ■’musicians; but there was a great deal of nonsense, and very stupid nonsense, about this. They knew it was impossible to do what they wished to do; they -bad. tried it over and over again. They had tried to have large choral concerns in the Opera Hopse, but great expense was always involved in making the building suitable for such a conceit. Added to this there was th© great uncertainty of securing the Bouse at all. When the last orchestral concert was proposed, for instance, they had to wait six months to get the Opera House. He hoped one result of ths festival would be the establishment of a permanent choral society in Wellington. (Applause.) A guarantee fund of not less than a guinea each was formed, the list being signed by the majority of those present*