The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-04 00:00:00

LONDON CHORAL UNION,

The inaugural meeting of this new musical association,
which is designed to work on a broader basis and under
more complete and methodical organisation than any at
present in existence, was held last evening at Cambridge
Rail, Newman-street. Mr. Leicester Buckingham was in
the chair, and the hall was well filled by the ladies and
gentlemen who have already enrolled themselves as mem-
bers of the society.
After a few preliminary observations, the CHAIRMAN
called upon the managing director, Mr. Lockyer, to state
the reasons which bad led to the establishment of the " Lon-

don Cnoral Union," and the results which it was hoped
would be attained by its formation.
Mr. LOCKYED, then came forward, and was warmly greeted
by the audience. He read a terse and well digested paper,
which may be looked on as the prospectus of the new asso-
ciation. He adverted to the success of the National Melo-
dies Concerts at St. James's Hall, the choir of which formed
the nucle•is of the London Choral Union, an evidence of the
thorough competency of the executants for the werk which
they had now undertaken, and dwelt upon the desirability
of affording them a larger scope for the display of their tried
ability. The London Choral Union proposed to devote itself
to the study and interpretation of the best works of the
greatest composers, thereby affording an opportunity to
native genius to make itself known to the public. NV eekly
rehearsals would be held every Thursday, commencing at
eight, and terminating at half-past nine, and at the con-
certs to be given in St. James's Hall no work would be
allowed to be performed which had not been diligently
practised and thoroughly mastered. In order still further
to ensure the perfection of these public representations
periodical performances would be given, as an intermediate
step between the class-room and the public, and at these
new vocal and instrumental works might be introduced on
trial. There would be no compulsory annual subscription,
and it was intended to place the tickets for the series of con-
certs at such a price as would render them accessible to all
the members—who would, moreover, enjoy the usual privi-
lege of complimentary admission.
The CHAIRMAN, in an earnest speech, which frequently
elicited warm responses from the audience, enforced the
claims of the new society. He dwelt upon the humanising
and ennobling influence of the fine arts, among which
music stood pm-eminent, not only as the most purely
spiritual, but also as the realisation of the philosophic
dream of a universal language by which the inspiration of
local genius could be carried to the hearts of all mankind.
He pointed out that this language, like all others, must be
carefully studied, and could be made familiar to the masses
only by the reiterated exhibition of fine exemplars—in
other words, by the conscientious performance of such
works as this society had taken in hand. Ile touched
upon the elements of success which the " London Choral
Union" had within itself—a programme which afforded
ample scope for action, an admirably trained and efficient
choir, which had already earned its laurels, a managing
director in Mr. Leckyer, whose precious services to other
kindred societies had proved his worth, and a musical
director in Mr. Fredk. Kingsbury, who was known to all
who were familiar with his professional career as a musi-
cian whose whole-sculed devotion to his art was coupled
with sound judgment and rare musical ability..
England.lnconclu-
sion, he adverted to the growing love of music in
from
membersthe p aosft t
hl aebLo nor:id
London
ascushctohhreaslofcurui entiiitoesns
would lead to yet richer results in the future.
,v 7
andsh ui which
hhu hadrgperseverance d sprungup
o upon
the
in their good work as
Mr. FREDERICK KINGSBURY, who was
warm applause, made a few telling and pract
tions upon the means which the members of the society
riecCael ivoebdse observa-
tions
must themselves employ to secure its success. Diligence,
punctuality, andwthowould
thanks
dks
b et
oe ntheconscientiousregecthica
chairman,
work were, he a'eured
them, indispensable to the attainment of the excellence to
hopedwhi chvottwhheeoyyf aspired, and they would find him as rigid as he
Mr. MUNDA.Y, seconded by Mr.La on c, KwThEi which
andwas briefly moved
re-
spondedipr to, terminated the proceedings, which were charac-
terised throughout by the greatest =thulium.