THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1090, 31 March 1911, Page 3

THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

INSTRUMENTALISTS ENGAGED TO TOUR. The Sheffield Choir, which is loitriiA; Canada, finished its initial season in Montreal on Tuesday evening, and is due in Now Zealand on Juno, 2(1 (Coronation week). They will reach Wellington on June 20, and will give four concerts and a matinee. These will be "The Dream of Orontius." (Hlgar), "Elijah" (Mendelssohn), "Blest Pair of Syrens" (Parry), and a miscellaneous concert (in (he afternoon). The choir is bringing the nucleus of an orchestra, which will be supplemented by some of the best players in New Zealand. So far the following players have been, engaged tu tour New Zealand bv All'. Hugo Goi'lit','., representative for Dr. Harris* : -Mr. Herbert Hloy, of Wellington (as leader), Mr. 11. Tombs, of Wellington (leader of second violins), Mr. Tombs, of Hastings (viola), Mr. Frank Johnston (leading 'cellist), and Mrs. Johnston ('cellist), of Wellington; Miss Sinimonds (second violin), of Hastings; Tilr. Maurice Cohen (viola), of Palmerston North; Miss M'lnlyre (violin), of Christchurch; Miss Croucher (violin), of Palmerston North; Mr. Sinclair (clarionet), of Christchurch; Mr. Mosehini (clarionet), of Wellington; Mr. L. Blitz (double bass), of Auckland; and Mr. Dave Kenny (third horn). '

A meeting of the Hospitality Committee of the Victoria League was held at -Messrs. Harcourt and Company's auction rooms on Wednesday to discuss the question of entertaining and accommodating the members of the Sheffield Choir. Miss Coates, who occupied the chair, stated that GO letters had been posted to members of the Victoria League, asking them to accommodate the members of the choir (luring their visit to Wellington, but so far only 27 replies were to hand. After some discussion, Mr. Harold Beauchamp moved: "That this committee undertakes to find accommodation for not less than 50 members of the choir from June 20 to July 1, and also pledges itself to endeavour to find accommodation between this and the above dates for the remaining members of the choir, up to 21)0, and also that it is the desire of this committee of the Victoria League to co-oper-ate with the Musical Union, the Choral Society, the Liedevtafel, the Orchestral Society, the Yorkshire Society, and the Auxiliary Choir, 'in so doing."' The motion was seconded by .Mrs. .1. P. Luke, and carried. It was pointed out that the choir was composed of members of both sexes. It was decided that the reception and entertainment of the choir shall be left in the hands of the Victoria League, and that Mrs. Algar Williams, 25 Hobson Street, shall act as secretary. Mr. Hugo Gorlitz was present, and explained that both the Victoria Leagues of Auckland and Clirislclinrcli will provide accommodation for the 200 members of the choir, while in those towns.

Writing to Mr. Gorlitz, Dr. Charles Havriss says: "As to the personnel of our party, which comprises in all about 220, they represent men in all classes of business—manufacturers, nun of independent means, scholars of Oxford and Cambridcre, and people altogether well-to-do in life. I shall probablv not bo able to refer to any of tliem individually until they come to Canada, when I will endeavour to send you a list of the names as far as possible."

In a further letter, under date of February 14, Dr. Harris ?.i.ys: "There is great excitement all over Canada in the Fc« r tivals to be held next month, and in many cities of the United States of America they have actually sild the whole of the performances out, although the concerts do not take place until the end of April next in those cities."