CORRESPONDENCE

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 20, 11 October 1928, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

CHORAL SOCIETY., " (To the Editor).

Sir, —May I thank '' Listening-in for his mingled appreciation and criticism of the Choral Society conceit. Our roll of active members is considerably greater in numbers than those who actually participated, but absences were inevitable for a variety of legitimate reasons; and among the population of Hutt and Petcne there must be many able singers whom we should be glad to welcome to our ranks. I may say that "Blest Pair of Sirens'' was purchased when there seemed promise of an effective chorus of about seventy, and that performance has been withheld from two previous concerts. Short cantatas of merit are few ana far between, and it is an encouraging fact that your correspondent admits that despite small numbers the choir acquitted iteself well.

As regards my introductory remarks to the various items, I have for year past made a practice of giving these at concerts and recitals both in England and abroad; and while I have constantly been told (in other parts of New Zealand no less than elsewhere) that they are appreciated and found helpful, Hutt Valley is the first place 'where the reverse has been suggested, and that (to me) only through your correspondent's letter. I do not as a rule read out the words of part-songs, which are printed on the programme ; but knowing on the last occasion that there must be a large, number of listeners-in who had only the titles as printed in the newspaper, and others who had not even that help, I wished to assist them to some knowledge of the purpose of the music, without which it would have been merely vox et praeterea nihil. I hope that those who, like "Listeningin" need no help to appreciate the meaning of music will bear with me in my efforts to promote intelligent understanding among audiences of that to which they listen.

I may add that the printing of a programme containing full words of the items together with explanatory remarks is a very great expense. Stronger financial support to the Society would make it possible to supply both, but the problem of the listener-in would remain.— I am etc.,

E. DOUGLAS TAYLER.