Litchfield enquirer., 1867-11-28
A County Musical Society.

A County Musical Society.
 At a time when a native of Litchfield county has achieved, abroad, the highest position ever won by an American singer, and has unquestionably risen to the first rank among living vocalists, the attempt to turn to better account the material still left us, would not seem inappropriate. The undertaking is not new one. On the 11th of February 1885, the Litchfeld County Sacred Music Society, was organized, 'for the promotion of knowledge and correct taste in Music" The object of the Society is stated. in Its constitution, to have been, "to put into operation some more effective means for the extension and improvement of this interesting and useful branch of cd ucation." The first concert was given at Litchfeld, during the next summer, regard ing which we find the following entries in the book of records;-
 Con the evening of the st of July 1885 this society gave an Qratcrio @ in , the Episcopal Church, con The performance commenced at o'clock P. M., recess took place at 5, and the evening per formance closed at 10 o'clock. The following mu- sic was performed Here follows programme l There were present seventy-two performers. The organists were Mir. Harrison, Miss Irene Battell, Miss c. Fuller, Miss NJ. A. Bennett, and Miss Min erva W. Harrison. The violincellos were, Mir. An- thony Smith, Mr. I. Wetmore, Mir. Starr and Mir. Strong. The violins were Mir. G. Wetmore, MT. Warner and Mir. Harrison; and the flutes, Mir. c. Smith, Mir. Cook, and Mir. Nettleton."
 From that time till IS49 the Society continued in active operation, giving annual concerts and numbering, in all, about three hundred members Those best qualified to judge aver that a marked improvement was observable in such choirs as took an active part in the proceedings of the Society and that taste for music of first class excellence, a general interest in the art and healthy spirit of emulation between the different towns, was aroused by the proceedings of the Society.
 For the first time we believe, since the disbanding of the old Society the choirs of several towns united few weeks since, in giving a concert at Washington. The re- suit was so satisfactory that a Committee was appointed to revive the old Society if possible. AS only portion of the towns, however, were represented on this Com AA4AsSCC, At "ho oCChASA OAPCNACAV pO up- psint another, composed of members from every town in the county. This committee is to meet at this place on Thursday of next week; and We hope the gentlemen ap- will give the matter careful consideration, will consult other musicians in their res- pective towns, and will attend at the time appointed, prepared to settle decisively a question of so much interest to the musical people of the county.
 We subjoin copy of the record of the proceedings of the committee which met here last week.
 In pursuance of the call issued by the singers who were assembled at Washing ton, Conn, and gave the Concert of the 7th inst. at that place, the Committee ap- pointed at that time, met and was called to order by Hon. Robbins Battell of Norfolk, Chairman. G. A. Hickox of Litchfeld, was appointed Secretary, and the following resolutions were passed:
 That Committee of one from each of the respective towns of this County be ap- pointed for the purpose of recognizing the Litchfield County Sacred Music Socie- ty, and making arrangement for Concert at the earliest practicable time.
 That said Committee consist of the fol- lowing persons:
 Robbins Battell, Norfolk, Chairman; Ransley Ehattuck, Barkhamsted; William Harrison, Beth Andrews, Canaan William Lawrence, Colebrook 1; H. Milton Hart, Cornwall; Henry s. Wooster, Go- slen; Abijah Catlin, Harwinton Jerome Berry, Kent; George A. Hickox, Litchfield. Lewis Camp, Morris; William Corning, New Milford Elisha M. Rood, North Canaan; Jared B. Foster, New Hart ford Abel s. Beardsley, Plymouth; Henry F. Bur ry M Gillette, sharon Elisha A. Baldwin, Tor rington Closson H. Stone, Warren; Augustus Smith, Washington; Leman w. Cutler, Water town; Edward R. Beardsley, Winchester; P. NJ. Trowbridge, Woodbury.
 It was further voted that the members the Committee have power to substitute others in their places; that the Secretary of this meeting have power to fill vacan- cies not otherwise provided for; that the Chairman of the Committee have power to call meetings of the same at such times and places as he may deem expedient; and that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the County papers.
 GEORGE A. HICKOX, Secretary.
 Lltchfield, Nov. 2Oth, 1867.
 Ine members of the Committee this day appointed to organize the Litchfeld Go. Sacrea Music Society," &c., are hereby re- quested to meet at the Mansion House in this place, on Thursday, Dec. 9th, 1867, at 10, A. M.
 ROBBINS BATTELL, Chairman.
 Litchfeld, Nov. 20th, 1867.