CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5732, 27 November 1896, Page 1

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION.

♦ The Christchurch Diocesan Choral Association celebrated its twelfth annual festival yesterday. There was * celebration of the Holy Communion in the morning. At evensonsr, at 3 p.m., there was a full choral service, at which Mr H. Wells acted as conductor and Miss Eoss as organist, while the Eev Canon Dunkley and the Eevs W. T. P. Winter and W. A. Pascoe officiated as precentors. The various choirs taking part , were represented as follow : — Surpliced choirs : Cathedral— Trebles 24, altos 4, tenors 6, and basses 6; St Michael's — Trebles 12, tenors 3, basses 3 ; St John's — Trebles 14, tenors 4, basses 1 ; St Luke's — Trebles 15, altos 2, tenors 4, basses 3 ; Avonside — Trebles 20, altos 1, tenors 4, basses 6 ; Merivale— Trebles 14, tenors 4, bass 1; Papanui — Trebles 6, tenors 2, basses 3; Opawa— Trebles 15, altos 1; St Albans— Trebles 9, tenors 2, basses 2 ; Woolston — Trebles 13, tenors 2, basses 2 ; Lyttelton — Trebles 10, tenors 2, basses 4 ; Eiccarton — Trebles 10. Unsurpliced choirs —St Michael's— Trebles 11, altos 1; St John's —Trebles 2, altos 1; St Luke's— Trebles 10, altos 2 ; Merivale — Trebles 5, altos 3 ; Papanui — Trebles 5, altos 1 ; Opawa — Trebles 7, altos 3, tenors 3, basses 3 ; Woolston — Trebles 11, altos 3; St Albans — Trebles 12 ; Lyttelton — Trebles 6, altos 2 ; Eangiora — Trebles 20, tenors 8, basses 2; Templeton— Trebles 10,- altos 3, tenor 1, bass 1. Totals — Surpliced choirs 240, unsurpliced 136 ; grand total 376. The music for the service was obtained from England, and was specially arranged for the occasion by Messrs Novello, Ewer and Co. The "Magnificat" and "Nunc Dimittis " were sung to a setting by Battison Haynes. The anthem, " The Heavens are Telling " (Haydn), was well rendered, but there was a lack of men's voices, which was not so noticeable in the seven o'clock service. The lessons were read by the Eevs W. F. Knowles and C. Coates. The seven o'clock service wis somewhat similar, and the Cathedral was crowded. The lessons were read by the Eevs. H. Airay Watson and F. P. Fendall. His Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch preached, and the service was intoned by the Eev. Canon Dunkley. At 5 p.m. tea was provided in the drillshed for the choirs and a number of visitors. A large number were present. The tables were presided over most efficiently by lady parishioners. After the repast, his Lordship Bishop Julius read apologies for absence from their Honors Judges Gresson and Denniston, Professor and Mrs Cook and others. His Lordship asked them to fill their cups (he could not say glasses) to honour the toast of " The Queen." Cheers were given for her Majesty, and the, first verse of the National Anthem was sung. His Worship the Mayor proposed the toast, " Success to the Diocesan Choral Association." He did not profess to be a judge of music in small quantities, but was some judge of a large volume of sound such as he had that day heard. He coupled the toast with the name of the Eev Canon Dunkley, the precentor of the Cathedral. Canon Dunkley, in reply, said it was very pleasant to everyone to know that the Diocesan Choral Association had scored a great success. Proposals were already on foot to start similar organisations in Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru. He thanked both clergy and laity for their hearty cooperation and sympathy. Sir John Hall, in proposing the health of his Lordship the Bishop, said that no institution requiring his Lordship's help ever went without it. The only fault to be found with their Bishop was that he was wearing himself out. They were going to lose the Bishop and Mrs Julius for a short time, but the good wishes of all would go with them, and they all hoped he would return stronger. His Lordship referred to the loss they had sustained by the. death of Lady Cracroft Wilson and Dr Prins, two old and staunch friends of the Association. He heartily congratulated the choirs on their performances. He would like Mr Wells to know that his services were nmch appreciated by all the choirs, and he heartily wished success to the Association. Mr C. Lewis proposed the toast of " The Ladies," in a humoroiis speech, coupling the name of the Eev J. F. Teakle with the toast. The Eev J. F. Teakle suitably responded. The singing of "Grace after Meat" closed the proceedings.