DIOCESAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 551, 24 March 1876, Page 3

DIOCESAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of the members of the Diocesan Choral Association was held last Thursday at eight o’clock, in the College Library. The Very Rev the Dean, vice-president, occupied the chair. The chairman having briefly opened the business of the meeting, called upon the hon secretary (Mr Jameson) to read the report. The hon secretary then read the following report:— “ The committee beg to submit their first annual report as follows—During the year three festival services have been held under the auspices of the association, the first at St Luke’s on May 25tb, 1875 ; the second at St Michael’s on October 19th, 1875 ; the third at St Luke’s on February 29th, 1876. At the request of the Cathedral Guild the association assisted at the services held within the walls of the Cathedra], on the 16th December last (the anniversary of the province). It was contemplated holding the service on the 29th February, at St John’s, but owing to the parish festival taking place about the same time, and for other reasons given by the incumbent, that church was not available. The choirs taking part in the above services were as follows ;—St Michael’s, St Luke’s, St John’s, St Mary’s (Merivale). St Mark’s (Opawa), and the Cathedral Guild. The attendance, both at the services and rehearsals (more especially of the adult members of the association) has been far from satisfactory, and has caused the music to be rendered less efficiently than would otherwise have been the case. The committee feel that unless far greater interest is shown by the members the association cannot accomplish the objects for which it was formed. The offices of choirmaster and organist have been filled by Messrs R. Pa°rker and N. G. Barnett, and the thanks of the association are due to those gentlemen for the valuable services rendered by them. Two vacancies have occurred in the committee during the year, by the resignation of the Rev C. J, Merton and Mr Stephens (the latter gentleman holding the office of secretary). The vacancies were supplied by the Rev 0. Coates and Mr J. Dawe, Mr Jameson being elected to the office of secretary. With a view of furthering the objects of the association a library of Church Music has been formed, consisting of the following anthems :—‘ Praise the Lord, O ray soul,’ Goss, 52 copies ; ‘ 0 praise the Lord,’ Goss, 62 copies ; ‘ Stand up and bless the Lord,’ Goss, 48 copies ; ‘ Thy word is a lantern,’ Ward, 72 copies ; ‘ Hallelujah,’ Beethoven, 48 copies ; ‘ Sing to the Lord,’ Mendelssohn, 48 copies; *0 Zion that bringest good tidings,’ Stainer, 30 copies ; ‘ How lovely are Thy dwellings fair,’ Spohr, 30 copies. Services ; Evening, in F, B. Tours, 48 copies; Te Deum, in F, H. Smart, 30 copies ; Evening, in 86, Hopkins, 58 copies; Nicene Creed, Marbecke, 30 copies ; Ditto, Stainer, 30 copies. The following bye-laws for the management of the library have been adopted by the committee :—l. The library shall be placed under the charge of the ibrarian. 2, All enrolled choirs to have the privilege of borrowing music from the library on making written application for same, through their respective choirmasters, to the librarian : such music to be allotted according to priority of application. 3. No choir to be allowed to retain the music borrowed from the association for a longer period than one month, provided that it may be retained on a renewed application for a further terra, if not previously applied for by any other choir ; the choirmasters of such choirs to be responsible for the music beiAg returned in the same order as received, if The librarian shall make a quarterly rcpo%4o the committee as to the condition of H¥e library, and special reports, from time to time, if he deem it necessary. The financial position of the association (as shown by the treasurer’s report, appended hereto) is as follows Receipts from subscriptions and offertories, £2B 14s 6d; disbursements, £3O Is 6d, leaving a debit balance of £1 7s. Against this there are a ><few subscriptions still unpaid, which will more than cover the amount, so that in reality the association is free of debt. As B oon as the funds will permit, the committee recommend that a supply of hymnals and psalters be obtained for the use of the association. The desirability of introducing a uniform system of pointing in this diocese has been under the consideration of the committee, On the advice of the choirmaster

and organist, specimen copies of the Cathedral Psalter (now in use at St, Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and other churches), have been procured from England, and very favorably reported on by those who have had an opportunity of seeing the work, but it having only recently come to hand the committee defer expressing any opinion until they have had further opportunity of judging of its merits, A special general meeting of the association was held on the 27tb of January last to consider a letter received from the members of St John’s choir, stating their intention of withdrawing from the association, and their reasons for so doing. The committee are pleased to state that ultimately the letter was withdrawn, on an assurance being given that the various matters referred to would receive the best attention of the committee. With a view of creating greater interest in the work of the Association, the committee suggest that monthly or quarterly meetings be held in connection with the association for the practice ®f Church music and the discussion of papers bearing on this subject.”

On the motion of Mr Inwood, seconded by Mr Holloway, it was resolved—“ That the report be received, and that the meeting do proceed to consider the proposed alterations in the rules.”

The meeting then proceeded to consider the proposed alterations, which were agreed to, the following alterations being made in the constitution of the committee, viz—" The committee shall consist, in addition to the president, vice-presidents, secretary, and treasurer, of the curates and choirmasters of all churches whose choirs are enrolled, and one member of each such choir to be elected annually by the members of the respective choirs, the result of such election to be notified to the secretary of the association at least one week prior to the annual meeting. Choirs enrolling during the year shall have the same privilege.” The report was then adopted. The meeting then proceeded to choose the elective officers, when the following were appointed :—Vice-president, Mr Holloway ; secretary, Mr Jameson : treasurer, Mr Dawo ; librarian, Mr Inwood. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Holloway—“ That as it is impossible to carry out the amended rule No 5 for the present year, as far as regards the election of members of the committee, to be elected by the several choirs, resolved ‘ That it shall suffice if the names of the persons so elected be returned to the secretary not later than the 20th April next.’ ”

Mr Barnett moved —“ That it is desirable that a uniform system of fpointing should be generally used by the various churches of the diocese, and that a committee be formed to consider the best steps to be adopted to procure the general adoption of the same, such committee to consist of the Rev B. A, Lingard, Messrs Barnett, Parker, Dawe, Jameson, and Holloway, and to report to the general committee,” Mr Parker seconded the motion.

Rev E. A. Lingard moved, as an amendment—“ That it is desirable that a committee be appointed to consider what Psalter shall be used by the association. Mr Sopp seconded the amendment, which was negatived.

The original motion was then put, and negatived by 9 to 6. Mr Holloway moved—“ That it be an instruction to the committee to take steps to carry out the recommendations of the report for procuring meetings for rehearsal and the reading and discussion of musical papers.” The motion was agreed to.

A vote of thanks was carried to the Dean as chairman, and also for the valuable services he had rendered as vice president. The thanks of the meeting were voted to the Auckland Association, and the meeting then terminated.