CHORAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1922, Page 7

CHORAL SOCIETY.

THE ANNUAL REP-OJKT

The annual meeting of the New Ply mouth Choral Society is to be held to morrow night.

The first annual report for the year ended • December 31, reviews the fact that the society was established after the production of . “The Messiah” by a chorus gathered together for the pur pose under the direction of Mr. R. L. Cooper in December, 1920. It was felt that there was a need for such an organisation in the town, and the success of that undertaking, and the enthusiasm of those who participated, warranted the establishment of a society. The report continues:—lt was soon found that there was a large number of supporters, and active members were steadily enrolled, the number reaching 80 by the time the roll for the first con-, cert was closed. After that date 11 new members joined, and at the end of the year 12 members had left, principally through removal from the town, so that there are at present 81 active members on the roll. While it is gratifying to note that nearly all the active members have paid their subscriptions, the committee regrets that two or three members have overlooked this most iml>ortant matter. One particularly pleasing feature in connection with the work has been the regularity withwhieh members have attended rehearals, the average for the season Being over 60 per cent, at each rehearsal. Dealing with the work of the concerts, the committee states: The standard of music sought to place before the public has been high, and the society has striven (and to some extent succeeded) to reach a high standard of singing. It should be pointed out. however, that the .'licy of bringing professional singer& from other centres is an expensive undertaking, and requires continued and increasing support on the part of the public if it is to be pursued. For the success that has attended the society’s first year’s work much credit is due to the enthusiasm of the conductor, and his patient and painstaking care in the preparation of the music, and the best thanks of the committee is extended to Mr. Cooper for his inspiring leadership. The peed of a suitable piano for the society’s work was soon realised and the committee sought ways and means for the acquiring of an instrument. This was eventually made easy through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess in lending to the society a sum of £lOO, free of interest, and for an indefinite period, by which they have placed the society under an everlasting debt of gratitude to them. The financial position of the society gives no cause for discouragement, the small debit balance being more than counter-balanced by the asset which the society has in music and staging material. The initial stages of such an undertaking are always the most trying, ahd some of the expenditure which had to be incurred this year was of a nonrecurring nature. The committee feel, however, that with the preservation pf a high ideal, and an ever-improving standard in the work done by the choir, the support of the people of the town may be relied upon, and no fears for the future are entertained.

In relinquishing their office, the committee desire to place on record their thanks to the trustees of Whiteley Church for the use of their hall tor rehearsals, and seats for concerts, to Mr. H. Collier for valued assistance, to Mr. Shepherd for the use of his premises for the ladies on concert nights, to Miss Sole for the decoration of the supper tables, to the members for their loyal support throughout the year, and finally to the pianists, who have borne a heavy share of the work.