THE STRATFORD BAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 42, 19 June 1915, Page 2

THE STRATFORD BAND.

ANNUAL MEETING. 1 At Cramer’s Koenig last evening the Band held their annual meeting, when | the Mayor a(Mr J. W. Boon) presided, and among those present were Crs. A. .1. Davey, T. Lawson, J. H. Thompson, and Cl. W. Mills. Apologies lor non- ! attendance were received from the 'President of the Band (Mr N. J. Aving), and Crs. E. W. Hancock, Hunter, and W. H. H. Young. THE ANNUAL REPORT. In presenting this report and bal-ance-sheet for your consideration, your committee hope that you will hear in jmind the exceptional circumstances under which the Bond has been working during the last 12 months. Reference, to the balance-sheet showed that we commenced the year with a credit balance of £24 12s Id, after buying, during the previous year, two tenor horns, 3 Bb cornets, 1 Eh cornet, 6 stands and 24 chairs, increasing the assets to the extent of about £32.

The year ended on March 31st, 191 d, with a credit balance of £l9 Is lid, notwithstanding the fact that the Band refrained fi'om taking up collections at outdoor performances since our Empire has been engaged in the ■present great conflict, thereby allowing the more needful Patriotic Funds a clear field.

Exceptions were made at concerts 'given in the Hospital Grounds, where collections for the hospital funds were taken at three concerts; j

The supplementary balanace-sheet shows the financial position up to date, leaving a credit balance of £4 8s Bcl, which members must consider as verev satisfacatorv.

Concerts.—The Band has given nine Sunday performanaces in the Park, three in the Hospital, and four midweek concerts in Broadway, all of which attracted a large and appreciative audience. We have assisted various kindred bodies and sports’ clubs, and, whenever possible, materially assisted the different patriotic movements.

Engagements.—The Band has not had the same number of engagements as in previous years. Consequently, the finances suffered to some extent; but the engagements we had were filled to the satisfaction of all concerned.

At the beginning of the year the Band, in conjunction with the Beautifying Society, embarked on a Carnival, which, had it been carried through, gave promise of being most successful, and probably would have been the means of equipping the Band out with a new set of uniforms and instruments. Unfortunately the declaration of war by our Empire necessitated a winding up, with the result that we only got £IOO instead of £4OO to £450 as anticipated. This money has been placed at interest for 12 months, or for such time as the committee may decide upon. The membership has kept up very well, and the musical progress has been very marked, and the thanks of the' committee are due to all for the state of affairs. However, the ranks of the Band have ly been thinned, and are to be thinned still more in the near future, by the swelling of our army ranks, but all the committee can express to this is “Well done Bandsmen, all honor to those men who are fighting our cause,” and may they return to a warm welcome covered in honor and glory. •

The committee wish to all a word of praise to Mr F. Thompson on his splendid record of attendances at practice, whereby he won the gold medal for the best attendance for the year; also the thanks of the committee are due to Mr C. E. James for the gift of this gold medal. 1 The retiring committee wish it to be a recommendation to the incoming committee that they endeavour to get the Council to pay the Conductor’s salary quarterly in future.

In < conclusion, the committee wish to thank all concerned for the support and attention that has been given to Band matters generally, and hope all will work along harmoniously together anad help the Band to pull through the unfortunate times such as we are passing through to-day. The Mayor, in speaking to the report, said that it was very favorable. Sixteen concerts and appearances had been made by the Band, besides various public apapearances, and be considered members had done very well. Financially, also, the position was in good order. There was no doubt the Band was alive—very much alive—in spite of the fact that some members had enlisted for the front. Since last annual meeting the war had broken out. and members'were now meeting under very different circumstances. When they considered that so many—.the flower of the country-—had fallen, jit was only natural to think that their { minds should wander at times to where the lighting was going on. In conclusion, the Mayor commended the Band upon the position as disclosed in the report and balance-sheet. OFFICE-BEAHEBS. In connection with the election of officers for the ensuing year, Conductor Marshall explained that the Band ilast week elected these, and all that remained to do for the meeting, which was really a social gathering to present the Band’s affairs to the Council am) public, was to elect a President. | On the motion of Bandsman Ford, seconded by Bandsman Childs, the Mayor was elected to the position. .Mr Boon briefly returned thanks. 'Pbe other office-bearers are:— Conductor: T. Marshall, Bandmaster: H. Childs. Sergeant: M. C. Aagaard. Custodian ; Cl. McMahon. Secretary: F. Thomson. j

After lifilit refreshments, and before proceeding to (lie social part ol the

proceedings, the Mayor expressed Ids and tlie fellow-Councillors’ pleasure afc 'being present, and regretted the ah-! jsence of otiwr members of the Council. |Jn liis opinion there was no doubt, I 'whatever, that the people appreciated the music of the Hand whenever they appeared in public. The following toasts were then duly honored: “The King,” proposed by; Bandsman Childs; “The Band,” pro-, posed by Cr. Lawson and responded to j by tlio oldest bandsman, Mr I*’. Cra'mer); “Boys at the front” (proposed in line patriotic vein by the Mayor,] and responded to by Cr. Thompson);' “The Ladies” (Bandsman Bert Davis) ;| “The Chairman” ; “.Host Cramer” ; “The Press,” and “The Accompanist, Cr. Thompson.” During the evening songs were contributed by Bandsman Davis and Cr. Thompson. j The gathering concluded about 10.30 with the singing of “Anld Lang