The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1884-02-26 00:00:00

DORCHESTER VOCAL ASSOCIATION.
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ANNULI. 11UT160 OF M RRRRR 6.

The annual meeting of the members 4 the Dor.
charger V.l Aaioutatio3 on Tuesday wee an ma-
ueualy important one. It was fairly well atteaded,
the chair beiug occupied by the Meer (11. Donlan.
th.re betug also other gwal friends of the
ataoctation p I.
. .

The lolaYOa expressed hho placers at being praised.,
and also exprescd his gretification at being present
at the late concert, which he thought all must
pronouooe to have boon a great moose.. At one time
be had some mitgovings with respect to the Vocal
Aesocisttoo, being afraid It was going down bill, but
after the general sails( action expressed at the last
splendid 0000ert be had felt more assured, and only
hope 1 that, haying been ressoseitated—he thought that
' was the right term to osee—it would go on nourishing,
and that it would be • very lons Urns before it was
dlooostioued from want of funds or members. (Ap-
plause.) He would now call on the bon, secretary to
read Ms report.
Mr. Haannir Homing, in presenting his statement
of account, said through adverse circumstances, of
which no doubt they were all aware, the last seams,
which he would call this of 1883, be bad run into the
present. The receipts bad been about MD less than
those of average seasons. Unfortuoately, they made
• bad start, with an adverse balance of £3 15J. 5d.,
and through extra expenses this time he had not
been able I. reduce it so as t get out of debt, but
the balance now againet them was el Ss. So far,
therefore, this we. satisfactory. The expenses 'Ma
NU la toad been considerable, as several performers
bad had to be paid, and this had cost them nearly
£lO, an outlay which he thought every one would
consider to be well made. (Hear, War.) Not-
' withstandior this, however, they bad reduced the
adverse balance by El 12s. 51. With regard to the
number of subscribers compared with lest year, it bad
base most satisfactory, the appeal he put forth having
been well responded to. In 1882 there were 42
subscribers who paid En 15s. ; in 1883 there were 46,
• great many having doubled their oubecriptions, and
others giving donations of El, • guinea, or ton
shillings—in all producing £35 16s. 61., so that the
actual rein under this heal had been £8 le. 61. Had
It not been for this they would have been £lO out of
picket. It would be his aim not to go back in this
respect, and he thought the 100. 61. subscribers
should increase their subscriptions to a guinea.
(Hear, bear.) He might say one of the first to increase
his subscription was thole worthy Mayor, ( Applause.)
The members who paid their fees of 5.. in 1882 were
92; I. 1883, 85, so that they only lost ammo. With
reglad to the sale of extra tickets for concerts, the
lest year waa • decided mucosa.. In October they
performed the "May gegen," and the sale of tickets
amounted t. £l5 13s. 9'. At the last concert, when
they did the "Oreatioo' " the extre tickets sold made
• 3.1.. dying a total of £3l 160. 91. This showed
the crest popularity of the two works they had
produced. In 1882 the mile of extra tickets wee only
£2O 11.., so that they had gained Ell se. 9). With
regard to professional aesistionce„ In 1882 it amounted
to EIS 2i.; In 1883 1., £26 lii. 61. .o that last *sawn
they had saved El 10.. 61. under tai. item oi expend'.
tare, and this was due to the management of their
worthy conductor. The extra expense of the band
was £9 16s. 61., which, of course, was an uountal
thing. It was an extra outlay, but he thought the
money had been well exploded. (Applause.) Taking
It on the whole they might congratninte themselves
the balance against them was not greater. (Age
Is proposing the adoption of the report, Mr.
Arrima Loca sail the lest season had been most
successful, but on amount of the extra expense he
was not prepared to expect a diminution of the
balance. No one, however, would begrudge the small
debt that remained when they considered the great
improvemeut that bad l'eeo effected by the band at
the feat cocoon. He believed if similar assistance
was rendered in the Doming season they would find
themselves with a substantial balance on the right
side. (Applause.)
Major HODONS, in &moodier the proposition,
remarked after the very successful sawn the hoe. sea
had announced they need not feel any alarm as to the
fulcra of the Dorchester Vocal Association. The
small balance anain..t them was not • subject for any
apprehension • in fact, it was a very good thing some-
times for • society to be in debt, aa it put them on
their mettle. He might say after • slight relapse the
Vocal Association seemed to bare arisen from ate
ashes and to be going ahead. (Hear, hear.) He
would like to meet! .n that recently there was a
little scare among the members of the association
respecting another society which took up Its head-
quarters In Dorchester, and of which be would at
once say he was • member. He (social there was
an idea they were going to oppose the Dorchester
Vocal Aesociation. But he was perfectly sure the
tw3 societies were not in the slightest degree aotagon.
istic to each other. Mr. Kindersley was • good
supporter of the Dorchester Vocal Association, ad
he thought they would each stimulate and help the
other, and that they would go on la friendly rivalry.
(Hear, boar.) He would say also that Mr. Einderaley
had the good taste to bold Me concerti in the afternoon
so as to prevent any inconvenience or interference
with the Dorchester Vocal Association, (Applause.)
He (Major Hodge.) was very much pleased with the
last concert; the musis was excellent and the band a
great addition to the chorus*. Now they had started
with • band they meet not go back to the piano and
harmonium. (Hew, hear.)
The Meeon proposed that W. E. Brymer, Esq.,
M.P., be elected president for the earning year. He
was quite sure they could not have a better. (Ap-
plause.)
The motion was seconded by Mr. Boyton Smith and
carried unanimously.
The HON. Bnoaereee Minded in feeling Lerma to the
loss the Association had sustained in the death of Mr.
Alderman Davie, who had filled the poet of vice-
president. Mr. Davie showed sympathy and energy
for everything connect of with music. He was on the
committee when the association first started, and had
continued with them up to the time of his death. He
was most enthusiastio for their welters, and be
believed be might say in all the committee meetings
he was most reviler in his attendance; and they ell
knew his tuts and love for music. Now he was gone
they could not bat feel regret for the loss of hi.
assistance and encouragement. (Hear, hear.) Mr.
Davis had not only served as vioe-pcseident ever since
the foundation)of the association, but was instrumental
in getting them that room free of expense for their
practice.. Therefore they ought to be very thankful,
end he hoped the same privilege would be continued,
for if they had to pay •very night they met their
exoeusee would be loosely increased. He had now
the pleasure of prop 'sing as their •ice•president •
reutletnao who, though he lii not live in the tows,
was a moat antbnaia.VC filen I of the association, and
had doubled hie sulnotisoll in ; he always attended
their concerts, sod to .k the most lively interest in
their welfare, lie alluded to Mr. Albert Winkel,
whom he had much plowere in proposing as vice.
president for the preeent year. (Loci apolanse.)
This resolution was seconded by Mr. liewaeto, and
carried by acclamation. . . . .

Mr. ARTHUR LOCK was of opinion they ohould not
reetrict therossiree to • single rior.presideut, and pro-
powd that the Mayor of llJrchester be • vi-president
for the time being.
Mr. WAID seconded the motion, which was agreed
to.

—Mr. F. J. HOLLAND moved that the following sub-
scribers be appointed on the c,mtnittee :—Rev. G.
Poole, Mr. Henry Symonds, and Mr. T. Coombe.
This was seconded by the How. firm, and carried.
Mr. W. J. Dardeo and Mr. W. Kesler were elected
cotrunittve-men, on the motion of Mr. ARTHUR Loot,
seconded by Mr. J. Rontheue, jun.
In proposing the next TINOIRtI JO, CIO MATOR said
If there wart any doubt about the appokitments made
during the evening, there would oertainlv br none
about that they were about to make. Their worthy
conductor was present, otherwise he should be inclined
to say a little more about him. They could not
pos•ibly have a better conductor than MT. Dayton
Smith, to whom ha proposed a vote of thanks. (Loud
applause.) He had devoted a large amount of energy
and musical talent to his work, and at the list concert
had perfectly satisfied every one. (Hear, bear.) In
asking him to c utinue his services he (the Mayor)
felt he would be 'rooming the wishes of every one
present as well as others who no highly appreciated
his services. (Hear, hear.) He would &leo propose
that Mr. Hodges be reelected as bon. sec. It would
be impossible to have a more efficient secret try, and
he was sure they would all join in sekieg Mr. Herbert
Hodges t ) continue hie services and thank him for the
pest. (Loud applause.)
Mr. P. B. Frew= seconded the vote of thanks to
Mr. Hoyt's' Smith, whom he characterised ae a
splendid conductor, and their energetic hon. sec., Mr.
Herbert Hodges. (Applause.) Tha hest reward he
thought they could bestow on Mr. Hodges was for
each member to bring a recruit—a reliable one, for he
did not think they should imitate the Government,
and lower their standard. (Anizalwae.)
Mr. Hamm Homo briefly replied.
Mr. BOTTON SIDTIL having expressed his thanks for
the compliment that had been paid him, said he felt
great satisfaction at seeing the emaciation in its
present state of efficiency. They bad progressed
greatly daring the pea two years, in the last alas m
especially; their work had been better, and be felt
pleased with the result. He hoped they would go on
with • hearty determination not only to maintain
their proficiency but to @resod it. for there was great
room for improvement mill. They were not pro.
fissional singe ,re and if they did tolerably well they
raust be &alined. In order to show the difficulties I
other moieties had too:loathed with she wall as themselves'
be read an extractfromaspeoth of Sir Herbert thakeley,
the president of the Edinburgh Magical Society,
The follow* extracts are Interesting :—"Ever7ets

hal a voice of some end, mad • great authority on vocal
musk, asserts that anyone can Went to eine. but to play
even tolerably well on an inetrowent require. far more
end for earlier study and practice than to tske part its
choral mosic. An excellent musician, in giving some
hint. to caret-or violinist., closeo with two practical
remarks :—(1.) ' Do not take ay the el din unlese you
mean to work hard at it.' (2.) 'lt is almost hopeless
to attempt to master the •toltn after the or of ten.'
The whole facially of string Instruments require long
and arduous study, and some of the wind instruments,
molt as the oboe or horn, are ecaroely evtr .nooteefollY
manipulated .sv meteors. In fact, the mosiosi train-
ing awl artisiic competency neomeary for orcheatral
Players' or, g nvrsily umich underrsted, especially if
nigh-clam c-mpositions are attentpted. " Another
word .4 caution may be elded—that so lone
as an incipient band of amateurs play t tether for
their own improvement anti recreation. or to •
limited number of friends, their laudable efforts
are to he looked upon from CO entirely
different standpoint to that in the case of their &eking
an an Irene., psrhapo on payment, to hear their per-
formance at a public concert. In such . case it memo
to me the ta,mplexion of the matter is quite changed,
and that etficienay and experisoce should alone be a
pawp ,Ft to playing, only retainable by a considerable
peed.' of practice, in public. They mud face the fact
that they must bare an orchestra, and alao the fact
thst it would entail greater expense. He would like,
however, to see the greater part of the band drawn
from Dorchester. (Hem, hear.) He hoped. therefore,
amateurs would go to work in earneet and do their
utmost to form • good orchestra. With regard to the
I band, the expertise of the strings bad been very slight,
but if they were to have an effective orchestra they
would wept a certain amount of wind (braes and
wood), and for that they must hare professional
asei.tatme. They were not likely to meet with
amateurs who amid play the oboe, clarionet, or
beascen ; therefore they would have to go ate Id, and a
band most be to • certain extort an (111.4111iSiVe sffsir.
Mr. Smith then 'poke of future sentiment mtg. •nd
sell be proposer] they should sing the RIO do "
either a sea' lon or the entire oratorio—at Christmas,
and this meant hard work. At Easter he proposed to
have either the " Stabet Mater' or Coln-tea '' Roe,
Meld-n;" he would leave the memb oe t' decide
which, and ths practices would begin on SI roday next.
(Applause.)
It was decided that the Sabel Mater should form
the principal fea'ure at the et it concert.
The MATOB props-teed a yoto of thank. to Mr. Robin-
son for his excellent Denial. OA 11130001p•Sallt.
(Applause.)
Mr. BUTTON SWITII seconded, end thanked Mr.
Robinson warmly for his vslu•ble assistance during the
poet mammon. He bad dose everything he possibly
could to repaid his effort.. He trusted now they were
to have • band Mr. Robinson would not think hie
assistance was of less Importsnos ; he might have lees
to chipmum
but it would not be of less value than hitherto.
(Ap .)
Mr. Rommiort briefly acknowledged the compliment.
The MAYOrt said the last matter on the paper was to
discuss any subject with reference to the progress and
welfare of the association. His Worship invited
suggestions, and strongly advocated continuing the
bead, remarking they could not possibly do without
It. (Hear, hem.)
The Holt Bloarrhin said if they were to have •
band they must have more pecuniary suppoit, and he
was in some difficulty how to i melds the extra
expense. He did not wish to throw cold water on the
project; he moat try to work upon the subscribers.
and would be disposed to insist on lb tee who only paid
10s. fit to increase the amount to a guinea, for they
would have their money's worth. He would draw up
• statement appealing to the subscribers, and if they
did not come forward the association would be con-
siderably out of pocket.
The Hon. Secretary proposed a vote of thanks t
the worthy Mayor (oriole kindness in presiding, an I
also for the aseiltence in helping the seeocietion
forward. His Worship's name had been on the sub
-
adhere' list as lo gas any one. (Applause.)
Mr. F. B. Flatlet @exuded, and suggested it should
be announced a band wou'd accompany at the conoerts,
ists this would be • memo of increasing public
patronage.
The MAYOR waned them he would endeavour to
carry out the duties—whatever they were—to the best
of his ability. Although not ahle to astist no the plat-
form he bad rarely missed being present at tom
concerts, and be hoped to attend them In future.
(A_pplanee.)
Thla concluded the proceedings.