ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, 15 March 1929, Page 2

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. GOOD PROSPECTS. At the annual meeting of the Masterton Orchestral Society, the chairman, Mr. D. A. Pickering, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, said that the past year's work must be considered satisfactory when taking into consideration the fairly heavy expenditure which was found necessary. Unfortunately, said Mr. Pickering, the concert account did not show the profit that it should. However, there seemed to be a revival of appreciation of the better class music. Jazz music, he said, was undoubtedly losing its hold and the year ahead was full of promise for the society. Ho was sure that the public appreciated the efforts of the orchestra. Prior to the election of officers reference was made by the chairman to the impending departure of the secretary, Mr. H. S. McLaren, who had been of great assistance to the society.

The election of officers resulted as follows:— Patron, Mr. T. Jordan (Mayor); chairman, Mr. D. A. Pickering; conductor, Miss L. E. Hall, A.T.C.L.; secretary-treasurer, Mr H. W. Slater; committee, Messrs. F. J. Hunn, W. E. Knott, J. A. Rosewarnc, W. R. S. Spencer, A. Miller Hope, A. C. MacDiarmid and Miss M. E. Leys, and the chairman, secretary and conductor as ex-officia members; music committee, Messrs. W. R. S* Spencer, A. Miller Hope and the conductor and secretary; librarian, Miss Jenkins.

A suggestion was made to the incoming committee by Mr. McLaren to allow school children in free to the concerts which, after discussion, was left to the committee to deal with.

Mr. Rosewarne also suggested a means to increase the honorary membership. It was decided to take action on the lines of Mr. Rosewarne’s suggestion. It was decided that the first practice of the orchestra be held on Tuesday, April 9, and that it be left to the players to choose the regular practice night for the year. Before the dose of the meeting, Mr. Pickering made reference to the able assistance rendered the society by Mrs F.' Whitton, and regretted that she could not see he? way to act on the committee again this year. She had been of great help, especially in work connected with the concerts, and he moved that a vote of thanks be accorded Mrs. Whitton for her very able and ungrudging service, the motion being carried.

Mrs. Whitton, in replying, thanked the members for their vote of thanks, and said that she was always keenly interetsed in musical affairs and glad to help. A vote of thanks to the chairman, committee and all others who had helped concluded the meeting.