RE CHORAL SOCIETY ("SAMSON").

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11276, 21 November 1898, Page 3

RE CHORAL SOCIETY ("SAMSON").

TO THE EDITO.I'..

Slit,— I quite agree with all you say with re Sard to the tenors ; but the fault is wholly ou the part of the management. AVhen the first tenors went on to the stage, they found that nearly all the seats they had formerly allotted to" them were occupied by tho second tenors, and the result was that the first tenors were dispersed all over the stage, and hud to find seats as best they could. Several of the first tenors tried hard to persuade a number of the secoud tenors to relinquish their seats, but they wero obdurate. They would not move, and, as tho result, considerable commotion and bickering ensued. Another gentleman and myself found it impossible to sing owing to our being surrounded with second tenors; and jarring voices. Repeatedly has it been pointed out to the individual members of the committee of management, that it is advisable to have the voices collected closely together, and concentrated into as small a space as possible. Every musician knows that the effect of.music produced from singers en masse is far more effective than that produced from singers in a state of distribution. It is the custom at rehearsal for members to occupy the same position on each occasion. At public performances this position should not be altered. Each performer gets accustomed to his neighbour on either side. If the positions aro changed, a performer is liable to have his attention and effort disconcerted by strange sounds and associations. Some responsible person should be in charge of the stage, and no better person could be found than Mr George Thomson, who is possessed of courtesy, tact, and good sound judgment. Cards, with numbers, should be affixed to tbe seats.

In my opinion, the above suggestions would remove the difficulties to which I have referred, and greatly conduce to the efficiency of the soeioty, and also add to the harmonious feeling that has hitherto existed between the members of the Dunedin Choral Society.—l am, etc.,

J. N. Brown. North Dunedin, November 19.