DR HARRISS AND THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14702, 9 December 1909, Page 5

DR HARRISS AND THE CHORAL SOCIETY.

Dr Charles Horriaj took the opportunity on Tuesday of placing boforo tlio members in tho Art Gallery llall tlio objcct of liiii present mission to Dunodin—namely, to bring here in the winter of 1911 a choir of ZOO picked voices from tho Sheffield Festival Association to givo publio rccitals of tho works of tlio groat composers. Dr Ilarriss spoke most interestingly to his nudicnce. He was here, ho explained, 0 s tlio ambassador of tho gresatcst choir in tho world—the Sheffield Choir, of England. His main idea was to foster and create musical reciprocity. "Wo purpose coming over hero, he 6aid, ' because wo want to come. Wo want to know you who belong to us' and we want you to know us who bclon" to you." Tlio choir, lie explained, was "not Mining in a spirit of "to t«ich." It. was in the spirit of hoping tint the pooplo of Dnnedin, as well as of other parts of tho Dominion, would co-opcrato with them with tliemselves and their voices in onoor nioro of ,tho works which tlio choir would be privileged to perform in Dnnedin. The aim was that they should all work together MOtory out a work that would leavo some-i-:ng tangible behind it whon tbo visiting choir wont away. Nothing mado more for success than unity of action. Tho Sheffield Choir could do a great deal, but it could do a great deal more if it, had tho assistance of the musical and otliev people of Dunedin. If what was desired could bo , brought about the peoplo of this city, who had ixrhnps not yet awakened to the ueces■siiy of frooly assisting those who furthered music, might be induced to on future cut their purse strings and help three who were labouring eo well in the interests of music in Dunedin. He did not como hero with hat in hand in this great Echcme, 110 merely appealed to the hearts of tho people. Any assistance given would revert to tho benefit of tlio town itself. * ,arriss . wan£ >°n the motion of Mr W. \\ ills, a vico-prostdejifc of the Choral Society, accorded by acclamation a hearty vote of thanks for his remarks. The members of tlio society, wlio arc at present engaged in rehearsing "The Messiah," in view of the usual Christmas recital, then furnishod Dr Harris; with an idea of their capabilities, and evidently to his satisfaction.