MALE VOICE CHOIR

Southland Times, Issue 22295, 10 April 1934, Page 10

MALE VOICE CHOIR

ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Invercargill Male Voice Choir to be presented at the annual general meeting of members tonight in the Federal is as follows:— Once again we record a very successful year’s work, despite the depressing financial period of 1933. The large attendances of the music-loving public at our concerts spoke well for the work done by the hon. conductors, Mr B. C. Galloway and Dr Stanley Brown, and the men under their batons, also for the public service the choir performs. The standard of the concerts presented in the Civic Theatre in July and Octobei- resulted in much appreciation from patrons and the Press alike, and the trouble and expense the. Male Choir goes to to make its recitals an artistic success are well justified. Patrons are always assured of an admirable concert. Whenever called upon for civic work, the choir is available and responsive, and we feel that the City Council should meet local societies by charging a nominal rental only. The theatre rentals are a very heavy tax on our income. Happily, we end the year with a small credit balance, thanks to the careful management of the concerts and the affairs of the choir. The number of active members is as follows: First tenors, 13; second tenors, 15; first basses, 16; second basses, 15; conductor and pianists, 3; total membership, 62. During the year several members Jiave left the city or retired, but quite a number of new members joined up and it is anticipated that the 1934 season will see a further increase. Mr B. C. Galloway, hon. conductor, Messrs H. Morgan, W. H. Roberts and W. Templeton (second basses), Messrs F. H. Tucker, C. Gray and W. Campbell (first basses) resigned during the year. The following new members were elected: The Rev. C. Olds and Mr J. B. Watt (first basses), Messrs F. O. Rice (tenor), J. E. Taylor, W. G. Wright and D. Grant (second basses). The greatest loss the choir suffered during the season was the retirement of the choir’s esteemed past conductor, Mr Galloway. Mr Galloway took over the baton when the choir was resuscitated after the death of Mr W. Quinn, and carried on right through the past seven years until after the July concert last year. Mr Galloway who is now resident of Waianiwa, conducted over 25 concerts and the position of the choir to-day is undoubtedly due to his able leadership and the respect he commanded. The choir recognized his services by making him a handsome presentation and by creating him a life member. The choir was exceedingly fortunate in securing the hon. services of Dr Stanley Brown to carry on as conductor, and the highly successful recital on October 31 was a tribute to his capabilities and artistry. It is hoped that our new conductor will remain with us for a lengthy term of office.

The first concert was held in the Civic Theatre on July 19 and the second on October 31. The choir also en-" tertained the inmates of the Borstal Institution and at the close of the season visited Gore and gave a successful performance there in aid of deserving institutions. The choir received a great reception from Gore’s citizens, being played into the hall by the Gore Band. Later a happj 7 social function was tendered. The choir is indebted to the Gore committee with Mr W. Shelton at its head, and the Mayor, for the fine hospitality shown. Appreciation has been expressed for the gifts of free tickets to hospital nurses and disabled returned soldiers. The soloists for the year were as under: First concert, Walter Prictor (male soprano), J. W. Stewart (flautist), Oma and Hoani Halbert (violinists), and George Gunn (baritone); second concert, Miss Gaynor Paape (soprano), Roland Family Sextet (instrumentalists), R. G. Henry (solo pianist), F. W. Johnson and Rewi Kingsland (duets), James Hinton (tenor), and Male Choir Quartet consisting of Dr S. E. V. Brown, W. H. Farley, the Rev. C. H. Olds, and John E. Taylor. A feature of recent choir concerts has been the beautiful stage setting and we must record our thanks to those responsible. The curator of reserves, Mr Mansfield, for loan of pot plants, Mr R. H. Woodham for electrical fittings and the hon. secretary for the work entailed in setting out and fitting up. Further, the choir’s hon. stage manager, Mr Alex Sutherland is deserving of special thanks for his first class control of the stage during concerts. The choir is indebted to Mr W. W. Millar and his band of instrumentalists for the very valuable assistance given with the concerts at Gore and at the Borstal Institution.

During the season the choir gave some twenty separate part songs at concerts and the rehearsals necessary to perform them with credit can easily be understood. Full attendances at practices are therefore very essential. The choir was fortunate in having several fine new part songs presented to it through the generosity of Miss D. Paterson, and members, Messrs M. F. Stevens, H. Morgan and P. A. Pearce. The choir has been blessed with enthusiastic and efficient workers in every department and the smooth running of the choir and happy spirit pervading it can be traced to their abilities and personalities. We warmly commend for mention the efficiency of Mr J. H. Leigh as hon. treasurer, Messrs A. Mahoney and J. McNaughton, librarians, Mr H. L. Mair, auditor, Mr W. H. Farley, deputy conductor, the members of the committee and last but not least the choir pianists, Messrs Gordon Lindsay and Robert Henry. All these gentlemen have rendered yeoman service.