CHORAL SOCIETY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15894, 19 January 1924, Page 6

CHORAL SOCIETY.

PLANS FOR COMING YEAR.

With a view to ascertaining what the Hamilton Choral Society proposed doing during the coming season a Times representative waited upon Mr Frank Hood, the secretary, for the desired information. "The members of the Choral Society," said Mr Hood, "are firm believers in the social side of their society, and to this end they decided before Christmas to hold a picnic to the Narrows, instead of a social as was held last year. The picric is being held on Saturday, February 9, and all members and friends are asked to watch the advertising columns of the Times.

■ "The next Hem on the programme," continued the secretary, "is the holding of the complimentary concert to our conductor, Mr Gladstone Hill. The Mayer and Councillors of Hamilton have agreed to this being a civic function, held under their auspices and in their presence. The concert has been arranged to take place in the Theatre Royal on Tuesday, February 26. The delails are not yet fixed, but professional singers are ooming fron.' as far as Auckland, giving their services »n recognition of Mr Hill's work with the Choral Society." "The male members of the Choral Society, numbering over fifty, formed themselves into a male choir and propose taking part in the complimentary concert above referred to. Members are advised that the first practice is to he held in the Town Hall on Tuesday, February 5, at 8 p.m. Now members should study The advertisement in this issue and get into touch with Mr Hill ,a.t once."

"Members of the orchestra that has assisted 'is in the past and all instrumentalists are asked to get into touch with Mr Hill at once. The Mayor will be calling a meeting of citizens interested in assisting the Choral Society, Male Choir and Orchestra! Society, shortly, and it is desired that full information as to the number of instrumentalists available shall be available." Coming Productions. "The selection of a work for tne first concert has given Mr Hill and the selection committee a grctt dco.l >ji" difficulty. ".It was at first thought we might put on "King Olaf" but all who know Elgar's works know very well that they are difficult, and unle?s they receive a tremendous amount of rebsarsal, arc better left alone. Thac does not mean it is not desirable to give works because they are difficult, but it does mean that with the time at cur disposal and with a young society, we must pass over this work for a later date. Then we had under consideration Coleridge-Taylor's "A Tale of Old Jfcpan," but unfortunately the orchestral parts had been bespoken by the Napier Society, before we made application to the Royal Choral Society, Wellington. However, this work will be given later. We have now decided to give Vincent Wallace's well known and popu'ar "Maritana,'' and :t is more than likely that the principals will appear in costume. We hope to give three concerts during the year, not counting "Th.-. Messiah," which is what one might term a Christmas annual the Englis-h speaking world over. Numerous requests have been made for "Elijah" to be repeated about the same t-.me as it was given last year, and more than likely this will be acceded to. Then we may also give Haydn's "Creation" or. as an alternative, in order to please iliosc who like a change from Oratorio, wc may put on "Th- Bohemian Girl." In addition the choir will doubtless be entering into the local competitions, and others a.s well. In order to qualify those with the voice, yet without the knowledge to read, the society has arranged with Mr Hill to conduct theory classes for members, with a limited number of outsiders, and these will be commenced soon after the society commences practice, which will be on Tuesday, March 4th."