The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-02

The proposed Welsh musical festival Is
now fact, all the great leaders Of Wales
as we'll as her composers favoring the
project in the most hearty manner. This
world In 1896. The following gentlemen
have been appointed musical commit
tee: Messrs @. II. Jones (Caradog),
Pontypridd; Dan Davies, Merthyr; Tom
nrGs aers Mer,hyr Senn rrre em
Rhondda; w. Thomas, Treorky; Jacob
Davies, Cardiff; w. ]. Evans and Rees
Evans. Aberdare; Tom Williams and d.
Phillips Pontypridd; Henry Evans; Dow
Porth; d. f. Davies Dewi Mabon).
Cwmamman; Thomas Richards. Ponty-
cymmer; Hugh Ellis. Mountain Ash; Evan
Watkins. Blaenrhondda: d. Il. Prosser
Eos cynlas1, W; A. Morgan Cardiii: r Dr.
Richard Morris. Hirwain; Lloyd Jones,
Miskin; Richard Howells, Aberdare; ID.
Bowen. Abercarn; Il. c. Jenkins and d.
Thomas, Llanelly; w; T. samuel. Swan
TI,aibaeh; Eos Dar; Mardy; Gwilym
A. ]. Philips, Newport; II. f. Aylward.
Walter Scott, J. f.. Deacon. John Will
llams QLlew Ebbw). and Proud. Cardiff:
Z. W. NJ. Corbett. Louis Tylor. and E.
Evans, Aber. Mr.. W. A Morgan con-
sented to act as convener and secretary.
Sir Joseph Barnby advocates the move.
ment with great warmth and zeal, as VIII
be seen by the following letter:
The Guildhall School of Music.
Victoria Embankment, +. c., Oct. II, 1895.
Dear Sir: Il have lately come to the
knowledge that South Wales Is distin-
guished by an extraordinary number of
fine voices. coupled with talent for sing
ing as remarkable as 1t Is rare. can
not persuade myself that the anual els
teddfOd-admirable though It be-affords
adequate opportunity for the cultivation
and the display OF their valuable gifts. /
believe that their great talents may re-
main an unknown quantity outside Of
Wales unless something be done to de-
ve!op in higher form the musical capa-
bilities of the people; and further believe
that a banding together of the finest
choirs within radius Of 20 miles, or there
abouts. with the view Of working up for
and eventually giving festival on the
plan of the great English and Continental
festival would go far to attain this end.
Cardif has proved what can be done with
In the confines of single town. Leeds
has shown a more excellent way by or
ganizing a combination Of four or five
splendid choirs from the neighboring
towns bradford, Hudders1eld, Dewsbury,
etc.), and thus not only strengthening the
choral attraction, but extending the pub
lie interest In the festivals to the manifest;
advantage Of the financial side. This Is
the plan would recommend for the pro-
posed festival performances of next year
the principal choirs of the district. which
should be prepared and rehearsed by their
own conductors. Their choirs should meet
on stated occasions. and be conducted by
the conductor-in-chief. The day selected
for the rehearsal of the combined choirs
should be a half-holday. SO that the
choirs. meeting at common centre
should begin their rehearsals at three
o'clock and sing for two hours. and after
an hours rest commence at six and sing
till eight o'clock. These, however. are de-
tails which might be discussed later on.
Meanwhile. It only remains for me to say
that II South Wales fails to grasp the
opportunity which has been placed within
her reach II would seem to me, as look
er-on. to be a sad waste OF good gifts, and
a throwing away OF Advantages not only
confined to music.
Yours truly,
JOSEPH BARNEY.