BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 397, 2 April 1937, Page 4

BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY

i STRATFORD ACTIVITY. i Local Branch Reports Successful Year. i °The second year in a Society’s life is sometimes t'.eemed to be the most difficult, but the difficulties have not been in evidence in this branch,’ states the report which is to be pre- i sente-d. at the annual meeting next v.’cek of the Stratford branch of the British Music Society. “'The year compares more than favourably with 1936, and I augurs well for the future. ' Removal from the district robs us of I nine of our members, so wu would • like to point out to members the need ;to urge their friends to join. As our ! society depends solely on members' ; subscriptions for its finance, the mor members we have the better programmes we can pi ovide. “During the ear five recitals were given by outside artists, as against ! thru last year. The season opened s with a lecture recital entitled ‘Music) in Relation to the Dance,” by Mr. Gor- | i don Mcßeth, <f Wanganui, assisted I I by one of our own members, Mrs. J. | 1 Anderson. Next a fine recital of ! j . chamber music by the De : 1 tier Trio (Wellington) violin, ’cello j ’ and piano. We ha*d a unique enter- ■ [ tainer in the .iverson of Miss Russel I ! Fergu&son, Bard; ss of the Gorsedd, I i an exponent of Hebredian folk songs. ; Miss Frances Fox, of Havelock [ ! North, and Miss Winifred Thomas, of I I Hawera, gave us a delightful recital ; jof violin and pianoforte items. At ' j this recital two of our members asi sisted—Miss Puyllis Bsplin, vocal j numbers, and Mrs. J. Anderson I (pianoforte). The last visitors were ! from New Plymouth—Miss Winnie i : Ross and Instrumental Quartette, and ! the Misses Constance Lealham and Ruth Day, vocrJists. The society is indebted £o Miss Leatham and Miss Ross and party, as they have visited us on two occ isions and given their services' -gratui'.ous’y. “One Members’ Night was held, on , August 19, wh m a varied and interesting programme of instrumental [ and vocal items was given. On these occasions the orchestra, under the able leadership of Mr C. H. Rogers. i is a tower of strength. To mark the | closing of the season a very jolly I Christmas party was held' on December 9, at which were enjoyed vocal j and instrumental items and the singing of carols. The attendance at all recitals, with one exception, was very good. That one, unfortunately, had to be held in school term holidays, when many of our members were away. “The attendance and enthusiasm of m inbers of the orchestral group, at j their practises, is a matter for com- | mendation. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the vocal group. ■ In fact, the group work of pianists • and vocalists is at present the weak [ spot in our organisation. To rectify j this we would appreciate the co- | operation of members particularly I interested in either of these groups, j “The committee desires to thank ! Miss Esplin and Mr Rogers for their! work as .group leaders, and all those | ' '»o have assisted in any way toward ' the adviantement of the society. I “Once again we have had the good i fortune to be able to'hold all our re I citals at S.t Mary’s School. As a I token of appreciation of this privilege ! I 'he book ‘Music in My Time,’ by [ Foss, was given for a school music '' prize; and ‘The Scope of Music,’ by ' l Percy Buck, for the school library ” ; 1 " i