ROYAL MALE CHOIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26413, 18 March 1947, Page 8

ROYAL MALE CHOIR

ANNUAL MEETING A recommendation from the committee that there should be three concerts in one season instead of four was adopted at the annual meeting of the Royal Dunedin Male Choir last night when the president, Mr .T. Hope, was in the chair. In moving that the recommendation be adopted, the chairman of the committee, Mr N. M. Ellis, said that the subscriptions had not been increased since the inception of the choir 86 years ago. Continuing, Mr Ellis said that with three concerts, more preparatory work could be done, and this would result in a much-improved standard of performance. He considered that the revenue would be just as buoyant and the expenses would be very much less. Even if the meeting carried the motion, Mr Ellis added, the choir would still have to give four concerts this year as some subscriptions had already been received. Mr G, J. Errington said that the choir was the only one in New Zealand to give four concerts in a season.—After further discussion, the motion was carried. An amendment that a postal vote be taken of subscribers was lost by a large majority. The annual report and balance shew, which were adopted, showed that the choir had experienced a successful year. The committee, it was stated, was sorry to lose the services of Mr A. H. Pettitt as pianist, but Mr T. C. Somerville had proved a capable successor to Mr Pettitt. It was reported that the choir’s membership had increased from 80 to 103. Appreciation of the work of Mr Ernest Drake as conductor was expressed in the report, and the various speakers also paid tributes to him. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr J. Hope (reelected); vice-presidents—l 3 were elected; hon. treasurer, Mr A. N. Mac Gibbon; secretary, Mr E. Richardson; overseas secretary, Mr J. G. Butler; registrar, Mr G. J. Errington; hon. auditors, Messrs T. F. Basire and C. G. Dunn; committee— Messrs N. M. Ellis, F. W. Parker, E. C. S. Falconer, J. Dixon, and A. G. Fleming.