WELLINGTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2567, 15 September 1915, Page 3

WELLINGTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

SOMETHING OF ITS HISTORY. TiTe Wellington Orchestral Society is again about to resume active operations, and will give its first concert before the public this evening at the Town, Hall w> augment the funds now l.tofiig collected for our wounded soldiers. The . present Wellington Orchestral Society is an offspring of the old Wellington Society, which ended its functions at the close of , the first New Zealand Industrial Inhibition that was held in Wellington in ISSS. Early in 18S9, at the photographic studio of Messrs. Cazneau and Connolly, a. meeting of musicians decided again to for a Wellington Orchestral Society, and on April 15, 18S9, the first concert was given with an orchestra of 25 performers, under the conductorship of Mr; L. Jlosch, and opened appropriately with Weber's Jubel Overture. Mr. J. H. 0. Schwartz later filled tho position of secretary up till August, 1690. At the sccond concert Mr. J. B. Connolly conducted, and continued to do so till December, 1839. For the first two concerts no subscribers had been canvassed for, and the performers had to pay their subscriptions as well as play, later, subscribers were obtained, and after some time the subscription by performing members ceased.

The first concert in 1890 was conducted by Mr. T. Tullis Trimnell, Mus.-Bac., Oxon., And after that Mr. Connolly again took charge of the orchestra as conductor till April 6, 1891. For tho next two i concerts Mr. J. H. 0. .Schwartz took charge as conductor, and Mr. W. J. Harland was secretary. During this period, the foundation for the present library was laid, and the collection grew steadily. For the purpose of raising funds for these purchases, chamber concerts were given by members, and these rapidly became very popular; there was also'a theatrical ■performance in tho Opera House on June 30, 1892, when the comedy, "All That Glitters is not Gold," was performed by the members of the' late Thespian Club and friends to .an overflowing house. On May 16, 1892, Mr. Alfred Hill first conducted the orchestra, and occupied the conductor's chair successfully till June 7, 1895. . From August 12, 1892; to April 13, 1(397, : llr. 'fhos. Pilpher, a nonperforming member of the society, was secretary; and took the greatest possible interest in its well-being. For the following two concerts Mr. Schwartz again wielded the baton, and was succeeded by .Mr. J, Maughan Barnett.i who conducted, the society till Ap.ril 23, 1902. Mr. Robert Parker then took charge of the orchestra as conductor till April 23, 1903, the ,end of the twelfth subscription- season, when it was decided that the society should go into recess. The society remained dormant till a few years back, w*hen an attempt wad made to revive it under the baton of Mr. Herbert Bloy, but the fundamental rule of the society that no performing memr ber should be paid for his services pre--1 .rented many good musicians from joining in the orchestra, and the attempt failed through lack of support from performers.

The society has new been revived under the conductor Ship of Mr. Bernard ' F. Page, and will giveits first concert' this evening. The Society will be assisted by Mr. Arthur Alexander, the gifted New Zealand pianist, and Mr. Frank Charlton. Mr. Herbert Bloy is honorary leader.