ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL CHOIR, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, 6 March 1913, Page 47

ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL CHOIR, DUNEDIN.

PRESENTATION TO MR. VALLIS, There was a large and representative attendance of past and present members of St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir in St. Joseph's Hall on Thursday evening, when Mr. A. Vallis,; the organist and choirmaster, was entertained at a complimentary social in recognition of his twenty-first year of service. Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., presided, and there were also present Rev.. Fathers Buckley, Corcoran, D. O'Neill, and Foley. An excellent programme of vocal and instrumental music was given during the evening, and at an interval Father Coffey read a number of telegrams and letters from past and present members, apologising for their unavoidable absence, and offering their warmest felicitations to the guest of the evening on the attainment of his majority as organist of St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir. Father Coffey also apologised for the absence of his Lordship the Bishop, who, he said, had a very high opinion of Mr. Vallis's work. Continuing, Father Coffey said that the present gathering was for the purpose of congratulating Mr. Vallis on the attainment of his majority as conductor of the choir, and to thank him for his services during the past twenty-one years, and to show their appreciation of his work by making him a presentation. It was not necessary for him to refer to Mr. Vallis's abilities as a musician, for these were not alone known to the members, but were fully recognised by the people of Dunedin. He had known Mr. Vallis for about fifteen years, and the more he saw of him the more he appreciated and admired his work. It was generally recognised that a choirmaster had a difficult position to fill, and that he must act with tact and patience, and keep his temper under control. It spoke well for the guest of the evening that he (Father Coffey) had never heard a member of the choir say an unkind word of him, and that was the greatest praise they could give him. It would be difficult to find a man who had been in charge of a choir for twenty-one years, with" such a good record, and whose services were so highly appreciated. Another reason why Mr. Vallis got on so well with the members was that all acknowledged his high qualifications as a musician, and therefore they could look up to him with confidence: He had always been regular and punctual at his work, and in this way set a good example to the members. In concluding, Father Coffey expressed the hope. that Mr. Vallis would be long spared to carry on his work in St. Joseph's Cathedral, and with that success which had been such a marked feature of it in the past (applause). > Rev. Father Coffey then read the following address, which was handsomely framed, mounted, and printed by the Tablet Company, and artistically illuminated by the Dominican Nuns: .. ' The members of St, Joseph's Cathedral Choir desire to heartily congratulate you on completing your Ist year as conductor and choirmaster of the Catholic Cathedral, Dunedin. Present and past members fully recognise the arduous nature of the work you have performed and the patience and fidelity, no less than the enthusiasm and skill, which have marked the discharge of your duties during that long term of years. It is satisfactory to us to recall that it was your connection with St. Joseph's Choir that first brought you prominently before the public, and gave you the opportunity of displaying to the community the high musical talent of which you are now the acknowledged possessor. Twenty-one years ago your name was practically .unknown in the musical circles of this city, but the choir's initial production, under your leadership, of Weber's great Mass, stamped you at once as a true artist, and placed you in the front ranks of the profession. Equally successful were your efforts when, on subsequent occasions, the Masses of other great composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Gounod, etc., were performed. As a choir we both appreciate and are proud of your musical abilities, which are now amply recognised alike

by press and public, and which evoked an especially enthusiastic and memorable tribute on the one and only occasion on which the Cathedral- Choir took part in a public competition in this city. Apart from your professional gifts, your manliness, straightforwardness, and sterling honesty of character,, have won, as they could not fail to win, our warm personal admiration and esteem. Again congratulating you on the completion of so long a term of service, and wishing you health, strength, length of days to continue the good work.' • - The address was signed on behalf of the choir by the Rev. Father Coffey, Misses R. Mills, and M Drumm, Mr. J. Woods, and Mr. Flynn (hon. secretary). Accompanying the address was a gold-mounted fountain pen for Mr. Vallis, and a pretty set of silver vases for Mrs. Vallis. Mr. J. A. Scott, speaking on behalf of the past members, said he had pleasure in adding a word or two to the chorus of appreciation that had been expressed m the letters and telegrams that had been read, and in endorsing what had been so admirably said by Father Coffey. He had very pleasant memories of his connection with the choir. The qualities of their choirmaster which had most impressed him were his outstanding qualifications, musical and otherwise, for the position • his personal interest in and enthusiasm for his workand his patience and self-restraint; Without any posing or self-advertisement, or pushing himself into the limelight, he had secured a recognised standing and reputation in the musical world; and amongst the real musicians of Dunedin, he would venture to say, there was no member of the profession more highly and genuinely esteemed than. Mr. Vallis (applause): During the whole of his (the speaker's) connection with the choir he could not recall a single instance in which'Mr Vallis had been absent from his post and whether as organist, as conductor, or in the important matter of selecting and arranging the work of the choir, he had' during the whole of these twenty-one years, given them of his very best. The splendid loyalty which the choir had shown to him during that long period was the best tribute that any man could have. He joined heartily with the present members in wishing Mr. Vallis length of days in which to continue the splendid service he had rendered in the past. Mr. P. Carolin, speaking on behalf of the present members, also congratulated Mr. Vallis on his twentyone years' work as a conductor. He (Mr. Carolin) might be called a link between the past and the present' as he had joined the choir twenty-seven years ago. After paying a tribute to Mr. Vallis's ability as a musician, he expressed the hope that their guest would live to celebrate his golden jubilee as conductor (applause). Mr. Vallis, in replying, said he was quite unable to rind words to express his thanks for the very kind things that had been said about him, and also for the presents which had been made to Mrs. Vallis and himself. He had been engaged as organist for St. Joseph's Cathedral by the Very Rev. Father Lynch, and at the time many of his friends prophesied that he, as a non-Catholic, would not hold the position for any length of time. He had received nothing but the greatest consideration from the Church authorities, and his twenty-one years of service was sufficient answer to the forebodings of his friends. During all those years the sky had been bright and serene, and nothing unpleasant had occurred. He desired to express his appreciation of the kindness and consideration shown him by his Lordship the Bishop, tho clergy, and the members of the choir, and once again to thank the members for their presents to Mrs. Vallis and himself. On Mr. Vallis resuming his seat the whole gathering rose and sang ' For he's a jolly good fellow.' The following contributed to the evening's programme:Mesdames R. A. Power, J. Woods, Fraher Misses V. Fraser, Burke, Messrs. F. Woods, P.' Carolin' Eager, J, McGrath, J. Jagp. Atthe conclusion of the concert light refreshments were dispensed, and the proceedings . were brought to a close with the singing of 'Auld lang syne' and 'God save the King.' &