WESLEY CHURCH CHOIR

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 87, 9 October 1931, Page 3

WESLEY CHURCH CHOIR

The annual meeting of the Wesley Choir, Taranaki street, was held on Ist October. The Rev.' T. R. Richards presided over a large attendance and expressed his pleasure at being present and his gratitude for the splendid efforts of the choir during the year, just closed. ■' , In spite of the many difficulties surrounding city churches these days, the annual report.as read by the honorary secretary, disclosed a year of most successful service. At present there are 45 members on the roll, which, in view of the difficulties of these unsettled times, is ' considered to be very good. During the year no less than 83 different anthems have been sung, quite apart from any of the special musical services that have been held. At Christmas portions of Handel s "Messiah" were given by an augmented choir of 80 voices, and this was considered to be one of the best efforts of the choir to date—the male sections being especially outstanding. On Palm Sunday, Harold Moore's beautiful work, The Darkest Hour," was' repeated after a lapse of three years since it was! rendered for the first time in New Zealand by Wesley Choir. ' . The library has been added to during the year, and now contains about 160 anthems in addition to 12 large works. This constitutes a yery valuable collection, which to purchase would entail an outlay of' £150 to £200. •■ -.. I Much of tlie success of Wesley Choir is ■ undoubtedly due to the untiring services of the organist and choirmaster, Mr. H. Temple White, who has just completed his eighteenth,'year at Taranaki' street. To be fortunate enough to possess as its leader such a gentleman in all senses of the word, and one of such musical ability, has meant a tremendous amount to the choir, and it | is to be hoped that he will be long spared to continue his excellent work, there. The officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—Organist and choirmas- ! ter,. Mr.-H.'Temple White (re-elected); deputy conductor, Mr. H. F. Gardiner; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr. H. F. Gardiner (re-elected); honorary librarian, Mr. K. H. B. Strong (re-elected); committee, Misses James and I.; Scott, Messrs, E. L, Howe and S. W. Syenson; Social Committee, Miss F. Priestley, Mrs. E. R. Morgan, and Mr. E. L. Howe.