ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL CHOIR, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 12 September 1918, Page 35

ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL CHOIR, DUNEDIN

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir was held on last Thursday evening in St. Joseph's Hall, Rattray Street, there being an excellent attendance of members. As a prelude to the general business the first portion of a delightful programme of vocal numbers was rendered, a musical treat of quite exceptional merit being afforded. Those who contributed were Mrs. E. Mee, Misses K. Sullivan, E. Tait, K. Graves, and E. Schoen, Messrs. M. Coughlan, J. McGrath, T. Hussey, and F. Woods. A vocal duet cleverly given by Mr. and Mrs. E. Mee met with much favor, and they were equally successful in a recall number. The compliment of a recall was also paid to practically the whole of the soloists. The accompanists were Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Mee, and Miss Sullivan. During the business portion of the evening's proceedings, the Very Rev. J. Coffey, Adm., presiding, the annual report for the year ending September 1 was read by Miss Eileen Murphy (secretary). The report stated, inter alia, that the generally conceded high standard of the choir was, on the whole, well maintained through the period under review. Among the many Masses rendered may be mentioned Gounod's "Messe Solennelle," Mozart's Second, Weber's in G, and Farmer's in B Flat. Granting that the singing at the evening devotions may not, on occasions, have been, all that could have been desired, this. was justly attributable to the lack of uniform good attendance on the

part of members of the choir. By way of compensation, however, some particularly fine solos were rendered from time to time by visitors, as well as by members of the choir. The high reputation of the Cathedral Choir was well upheld on Christmas evening, when the usual sacred concert was given with the greatest success. As it is intended to produce Beethoven's Mass in C on next Christmas Day, the members of the choir are specially urged to attend regularly from now on. In reviewing the social events of the year mention was made of a very pleasant welcome extended to the Rev. P. M. Lynch, C.SS.R., the former president of the choir, on the occasion of his visit some months ago to Dunedin. Reference was also made to a farewell and presentation to Mr. 11. Poppelwell, late tenor soloist and secretary, prior to his" departure for the Front. Sincere thanks were tendered to Father Coffey for 'his kindness and hospitality in entertaining the choir members at Easter and Christmas, and an expression of appreciation was recorded to those lady members of the choir who attended to the refreshments at socials in connection with the choir. Four Committee meetings" were held during the year, and five new members joined the choir, the numerical strength of which is now 38, as against 35 in the previous year. The following officials were appointed for the ensuing year:—President, Very Rev. J. Coffey, Adm. ; vice-president, Father Kaveney; secretary, Miss E. Murphy; librarian, Mr. L. Woods: assistant librarian, Miss Columb ; committee—Misses Drumm and Sullivan, Messrs. J. McGrath and F. Heley. Signor Squarise (conductor) expressed his pleasure at the work of the choir generally during the year. Whilst he was not too well pleased with the attendance on certain occasions, still he considered the results on the whole had been very good. He hoped that this year, especially, more members would attend the practices, as this was essential if the best results were to be attained. Mr. Vallis (organist) fully endorsed the conductor's remarks, and emphasised the fact that a full attendance' on all occasions was a necessary condition to success. The effort was well worth while, and the members would be more than compensated by the results. Choir affaire, he said, had run very smoothly in the face of drawbacks such as the loss of members by the war and other causes. Having in mind the music to be produced at Christmas, Mr. Vallis pointed out how essential it was for the whole choir to practise together, and he trusted that each member would bear this in mind. Father Coffey said that the remarks of Signor Squarise and Mr. Vallis naturally indicated an anxiety to maintain the high reputation justly enjoyed by" St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir. In his (the speaker's) opinion the results attained last year were as good as at any time in his experience of the choir, and he did not remember any year since his coming to St. Joseph's in which better or more consistent work had been done. We look for harmony in a choir, said Father Coffey, and he was very pleased to observe that social harmony and good fellowship were markedly characteristic of St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir. He was pleased to see so many young members present that evening, and to listen to their contributions to the programme. This showed they were not backward, and they would prove good members and help very materially in keeping up the choir's high standard of excellence. He was also pleased to find that the old members of the choir returned when their services were required, and he certainly thanked them very sincerely for this fine spirit of patriotism and manifest love for the beautiful music of Holy Church. Dainty refreshments were served, and a particularly enjoyable gathering was terminated by the singing in unison of the National Anthem and "Auld Lan° Syne.