A COMING MUSICAL INVASION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14702, 9 December 1909, Page 11

A COMING MUSICAL INVASION

[TOE SHEFFIELD CHOIR IN 1911. WORK IN IWARATIOX. In connection with the scheme of Empire reciprocity in music promoted by Dr Charles Harriss, of Ottawa, Canada, that gentleman yesterday tendered a lunchcon to the leading professional musicians of Duncdin ill pi-dor to definitely interest them and consolidate them in co-operative work in preparation for tho great tour he is now planning. The function was held at Wain's Hotel, where Messrs William Wills (president of tile Orchestral Society), ilaitland GaVd'ner, Jesso Tiinson, W. "Paget Hale, Sidney Wolf, Hugo Gorlitz, Charles. Coombs, E. S. Wilson (secretary of the Philharmonic Society), J. Livingston (secretary of the Choral Society). Mr F. Clill'o (examiner for tile Associated Hoard, It.A.M., and R.C.M., and representatives of tho press were present. Full hospitality having been dispensed tuid duly honoured, Dr Uarriss brought forward his project. He said I hey would &11 agree that in 1911 Dunwlin purposed producing a musical festival in which the Sheffield choir, under the direction of Br Coward and himself, would Income the chief /actors. With the hearty and thorough co-operation of all (he. musical elements of Dunedin lliey .would he able to preducu a. festival which would surpaw anything Ihithorto attempted hero.—(" Hear, hear.") He took it that he would have no difficulty whatever in procuring; the assistance of the local societies, and church choirs. The doctor then made reference to the si'liemo \vhich he was engaged on. and ciiarac;terised it as probably the grandest musical effort ever put forth in the annals of Christendom •—to consolidate and enrich the home life of the British Empire by means of tho •music of the integral parts of that Emipre. IHo had conceived' this idea in 1901. and had Igiven himself 10 years to 6cc its main parts carried into etfect. His heart was in tho overseas Dominions and m tho British Kmipiro, and his propaganda was to promoto its solidarity through the Empire of Music. At tlie nciiiioril, of Dr Harriss, Mr Frederic Cliffe, a pon-oiuil friend, (lion jravo ;i hrk-f testimony lo Mm quality of (lit* Sliefßdi! choir, winch was lo hp out U> the aiumber of 200 voicw*. If. was in- said, llio finost choral orjjanisiiiion in fho world, giving to mn*iei;m.s 1.1k.' nio.-f glorious sonfictions— sensations thai led toward the* infinite. He then recounted an experience ho hail t enjoyed of conducting the choir, and testified io thn splendid respomo accorded ihini bv every member in it.. That moment "wh&ti ho looked into those 60d eyes, an<l Jcncw that the voice cf oneh singer was responsive to his dictates, wa-s one of the most temotional monionL> of hit; life. The sin*?sng iv(is, in fact, something cokwid, and •once heard would be always remembered.

That very hearty support would ho bccordwHho movement was evident, and all tho musicians present imlicatcil their personal interest, in the proposal. At tho suorgeston of l)r llnrriss tlio musicians ])rceont. then con.4iluto(l an Advisory Musical Coniinitloc folliors if the profofsion wlio were tumble (<1 be ]ire6cnt lo hp. added), awl a Koncral discussion was then commcnccd dealing with tlie details of tlio movomenl- ami local proposals. Mr W. Paget Palo wa.s appoiritod wrotary pro torn, and lie will call the neccfary initial meetings in due coui'fe. r llie ehoir to l>c raised locally will nuinlier .'OO voices, as tlio Sheffield choir will brins; 2CO, and building!) locally will not,provide accommodation for a liu'cicr nunilvr. Tiicidentally. Dr Ilanirs raised the point, of a Town Concert Hall for Dunedin, and said that no Ix'ltor wav to reach that end cculd he devi.-od than such a festival as was projected. The proposals for tho futur were very fully discussed, and. tho heartiest co-operation of the musical profession locally liciinr avuirod. the event, when it lakes place, should fully real'KO all the, 'high expectations roused bv the Ciithlisinfim of Dr Harris?. In addition tn the musical committee tn he, appointed. 11 citizens' committee will later on bo called into being to give the occasion tlio cclat duo to it.

The nnmo of Mr J. f\ TSaston was unintentionally omitted from the list of those who welcomed Dr Harriss on arrival at the iDutiedin Railway Station 011 Monday cveni.nS'