Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-28
A PROMISING MUSICAL CLUB.
Its Organization and Purposes-works
Under Study,

II would like to see high order OF
music developed In Baltimore" writes an
eminent citizen OF that city, In response
TO an invitation to become a member of
the Board OF Governors Of the choral
class, recently organized In connection
with the Peabody Conservatory OF Music.
The desire for the best music thus ex-
pressed with regard to Baltimore has for
some time been widely felt in Rich
mond. and the movement In that direction
which has been recently initiated by the
organization OF THE Wednesday Club
Is natural out-growth of that desire
AS was pointedly remarked by one of the
active promoters OF THE Wednesday
Club" ''if with its Oratorio Society OF
800 trained singers. the Ladies' Beethoven
Chorus-Class Of $50 excellent voices, the
Peabody Orchestra, and several other
musical organizations, all devoted TO
classic music. and the years of work done
by them, Baltimore Is still In need OF a
high order OF music. what must be
said with regard to tho need of Rich
mond. until now without one permanent
choral society for the study OF the best
choral works"
Richmond undoubtedly possesses
good deal OF musical talent. with but
little opportunity OF its individual develop
ment or for its capitalization into the
highest and grsndest form OF musical
expression, which can only be realized
In united strength. 1t Is true that occa-
sionally large choruses have been hastily
thrown together for temporary purpose,
and then as hastily disbanded when that
purpose was accomplished. The real
need, however, and which alone will provo
"a AMI
organization. embracing all OF the best
talent 0btainable for the regular study,
under a competent director, OF the very
BEST musical productions, with q view 20
educational results as well as for musical
effects. 1t is confidently believed that
there exists among our citizens generally
an intelligent appreciation Of and u de-
sire for the best artistic music, and that
a well-drected effort towards establishing
q permanent choral society for the high
est musical culture will receive the hearty
sympathy and support OF the community.
THE NEED TO BE SUPPLIED.
This need Of the city seems destined
to be supplied In the organization OF
THE Wednesday Club"
The club was originally started in Feb
ruary last by few members for their
own mutual Improvement and entertain
ment. and met weekly at the dwelling OF
one Of its members. IL proved go success
ful that the Interest and the member
ship rapidly increased, and the club closed
the season by successfully singing the
music OF Glucks beautiful opera "Or-
pheus" at It's last rehearsal in June. The
interest thus started continued and
widened to such an extent that the club
felt impepsd to take an advance step
.tx. -
order to meet the apparent demand for
the study OF some OF the greater choral
works Of the great composers.
Consequently at It's first meeting after
the summer vacation the club formally
decided to enlarge its membership, and
to meet every Tuesday night at the
rooms OF the Richmond Music Company,
No 7 east Broad street, and elected an
executive committee. secretary and trea-
surer, and musical director for the COM
Ing season.
At the rehearsal last Tuesday night
there were lis members present, and ths
roll contained 100 members. The person.
mel and talent Of the membership Of the
club are OF the highest order, and every
thing bids fair for q splendid success TO
crown its efforts.
WORKS UNDER STUDY.
Among the works procured for study are
Spohrs Last Judgment" Mendelssohn's
Hear My Prayer" and other lighter
chorals OF high grade.
The club has been invited to render
Strainers "Crucifxion'' In one OF the city
churches during the next Holy-Week,
and II may do so. II II does the public
will have the opportunity Of hearing q
beautiful religious work well sung.
With public sympathy enlisted In its
behalf, and with the cooperation and
support Of oil musical people, the club
will prove a wide and lasting benefit 10
the city. There Is not 4 church choir
that will not soon feel its impulse and
power for good. for the dominant idea
pervading the membership IL that all
really good music IL Divine. and that It
II not the work Of man, but the gift Of
God to man. and hence II becomes the
duty as we'll as the pleasure OF ell to
devote their God-siven talents to the de-
velopment Of the Divine gift. Therefore,
the efforts Of the club will be largely d..
rected to the study Of the best sacred
workA though not entirely %. because.
while the purely secular may please the
ear and sweeliy entertain for the hour.
the sacred enters into the soul OF the
singer and listsnsr and becomes . part
Of the immortal that shAll live ana sing
forever y the vssy presence OF the Divine
olvsr.
The following members compose the
Executive Committee and oflicerS tor this
executive commlttee--Mrs. DR.. Hugh
/ Tsylw. Ailp Nellie Rogers ArA Conway