BETTER YEAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 605, 6 March 1929, Page 6

BETTER YEAR

CHORAL SOCIETY SHOWS PROFIT POPULAR CONCERTS ) Following a financial Toss in the ' 1927 season it was particularly gratifying last evening for members of the Auckland Choral Society ±o note a profit of £lll 5s 2d for rev'ult shown by the society for a nuvnber of years. At the annual meeting held last evening?, the chairman, Mr. C- B. Plummer, .veported that during the season the oratorios, “Elijah” and “Messiah,” the Maon* cantata, “Hinemoa,” and a miscellaneous concert had been presented. The maAn considerations when the 1928 items w& re chosen was one largely of finance. TV*© heavy loss financially of the 1927 sc\aVon was so serious that programmes to be carefully weighed as to* .their drawing power with the publnt. This necessitated choice of a light V?r class of music than a choral society should be expected to perform. He thought that vtlie reception given to the above series vf concerts proved that they were tT*o roughly enjoyed. I Perhaps the most enthusiastic one was the Maori concert. Hv r © new ground was broken. It would X'© remembered that every number in Ml© second part was encored and had to* *be repeated—surely a record for a choral concert! The result of that concert raises a point for discussion at" the annual meeting as to whether the society was to persist in educating its! audiences and as a result going to tIAA wall, or else entertaining them and ;thus retaining their support. He thought a. middle course was taken in reviewing the results of last year’s a*ctyvities, and this could seriously be considered in costing future works and' programmes. FINE CHORUS WORK The work of the chorus was well' up to standard all through the season, a;vd its fine work in the “Messiah” especially was at times majestic. The help of a number of members, of the Royal Auckland Choir in this was) also of great value, and he • * to [ place on record that ot"

the assistance given. The orchestra, under the brilliant leadership of Miss Edith Whitelaw, did splendid work. The soloists for the 1928 season were all local, and, generallj’’, did well. In this connection he wished members to know that Mr. Sutherland gave his services gratuitously to assist the society, for which he deserved their best thanks. The committee also extended its thanks to Mr. Colin Muston, the society’s conductor, Mr. R. W. Strong, secretary, and Mrs. Strong, and the librarians. Messrs. Double and Austin. The chairman reported that the first work for the season would be “Maritana,” followed by “Israel in Egypt.” The third concert will prabably be a miscellaneous one. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. C. B. Plummer; vicepresident, Mr. E. E. Pierce; committee, Messrs. G. E. Carr, G. Bacon, C. C. Sandford, J. West, T. W. Birley, S. Hamlin and J. Millar, and Mesdames Collier and Betts. It was decided to send letters of appreciation to Messrs. F. Prime and R. Fenton, who have completed 50 years’ service with the society.