CHORAL MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2606, 30 October 1915, Page 15

CHORAL MUSIC

THE QUESTION OF AMALGAMATION. ' On. the subject of the amalgamation of the Musical TJuion and tho Royal Choral Society, suggested by "Treble Clef" in last Saturday's music notes, Mr. A. M. Lewis, secretary of the Wellington Musical Choir, writes as follows:— "Sir,—ln'your issue of Saturday last 'Treble Clef' made a- suggestion in the music column that the time was opportune for bringing about an alliance between tho Choral Society and tho Musical Union. The .writer stated how difficult it must be under present conditions to successfully give performances, and pointed out (to use the writer's own. words)-that 'both bodies are at present sapping each other's life blood by •giving performances within a few days of one another, etc.' "It is evident that 'Treble Clef' is not conversant with what took place in this connection some, eighteen months ago. The executive of the Musical Union, finding it difficult to obtain the services of a suitable) conductor, decided to approach the Wellington Choral Society, with a view to amalgamation. The conditions that were offered were as follow: The Musical Union would transfer the whole of its library, orchestral bells, and effects, valued at over .£2OO, also use its influence , with subscribers to transfer their patronage to the Choral Society, upon condition that the Choral Society wpuld accept the union's liability of less than £100. (It is only due to the union ,to point out that this liability was incurred solely through one unfortunate concert, tho circumstances of which are well known to tho musical public of Wellington), In reply to tho foregoing offer the Musical Union was asked to give a written schedule ,of all its assots in detail. This necessitated a large amount of labour, but eventually every copy of music was counted, and tho quantities of each work scheduled and forwarded to the honorary secretary of the Choral Society for further consideration. A reply was received about a month later to tho effect that owing to the question of finance they did not see their way to amalgamate. / This letter is written simply to acquaint 'Treble Clef' with the fact that his suggestion was attempted many months ago with tho above result. —I am, etc., (Sgd.) A. M. LEWIS, Hon. - Secretary Wellington Musical Union." In answer to the foregoing disclosure "Treble Clef" writes:— "As the news of tho offer to amalgamate was probably confined to tho committees of the two societies, I was not fully aware of tho conditions of- the offer, and thinking as I do, I bolievo it would have been in the host interests of music and tho public had tho oiter | been .accepted. Sinco the offer was made much water has passed under the I bridge, in other words, the world has been turned topsy-turvy by _ the great war, and the case has been, in the case of both societies, a tendency to weaken the already weak male voice scction. | After all, the reference was only to tho broad prmciple of amalgamation, which the existing conditions favour."-