The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-08
SHOWS GOOD PROFIT.
Musical Festival Was
a Big Financial
Success.
PRESIDENT BENT'S REPORT.
Reviews the Concerts and
is Not in Favor Of a
Guaranty Fund.
PRESIDENT BENT'S REPORT.

The annual meeting of the Worces-
ter County Musical Association was
chanics hall building The old board
of officers was reelected and but little
other business was transacted. Moth
ing was done about next years pro-
gram.
The report of the treasurer showed
that the festival this year was a grand
success and that the sum of $346.S1 was
set aside as profit. This was especially
! gratifying in view of the experiences of
former years when the treasurer has
reported deficits.
The officers reelected were: Presi-
dent, Charles NJ. Bent; vice-president,
Daniel Downey; clerk Luther NJ. Low
ell; treasurer, George r. Bliss; librari-
an, Paul B. Morgan. Charles A. Will
liams and J. Vernon Butler were reel
ected directors for the coming four
| years.
President Charles NJ. Bept's annual
report follows in part:
To the members of the Worcester Coun-
ty Musical Association
| Gentlemen: AS we assemble for the
| annual election and to discuss the af-
fairs of the association, there is a per-
vading atmosphere of cheerfulness. We
| have not far to seek for the occasion of
this air Of contentment for we are also
here to listen to the story of one of our
most successful festivals. The chronic
Ter of the 42d festival has most agree
able task as he proudly recounts the
successes of this time-honored society.
! In his exultation of spirit he is in dan
ger OF the pitfall of hyperbole. I be-
lieve, however, there are conditions and
limitations Of sufficient magnitude to
keep his exuberance within the bounds
of reason.
The financial report of last year was
regarded as criterion for our guidance
and the scheme of artists was planned
upon practically the basis of that fes-
tiVal. (which plan as you know was
greatly disarranged by the necessary
change of the Drima donna. At the
last moment Nine. Sembrich was sub
stituted for Nine. Schurmann- Heink.
With other trifiing exceptions the plan
was carried out as arranged. Some have
characterized this festival as a return
to the star system Such are bewailing
a DOGGY Of their own invention. That
cant term is used with more glibness
than discrimination. / cannot admit
that the presence of an artist of Nine
1ellDIlCil 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS NOQlu Q6-
tract from the high character of any
scheme Of these festivals, or in any way
retard the work of this association
which is primarily the promotion of the
cause of music. If there had been no
other singer or performer Of merit, and
no dignified or large work for the
chorus and orchestra the epithet might
} have been appropriate.
The select chorus" of about 100
voices demonstrated the wisdom of the
committee, for by its means the con-
ductor was enabled to get effects which
were thrilling and unattainable under
the ordinary choral organization.
l am many times moved to question
if we fully appreciate the beautiful
work done by the orchestra. This body
of musicians is truly artistic in its
component parts, led by most accom-
plished musician, and gives us many
fine examples of the highest order of
musical virtuosity. 1t may be that all
listeners are charmed, but there is no
outward evidence of appreciation wor-
thy the name. I bespeak for the or
chestra a more demonstrative appre-
citation.
The orchestra should have it's own
conductor for strictly instrumental
pieces. Our present conductor is fully
competent for all the work put upon
him, and finds genuine pleasure in do
|
there is too great a strain upon nerve
and strength-the wonder is there has
been no failure of both. We are favored
in having such an accomplished must
clan in the assistant conductor. But it
is requiring very much of the concert
master to expect him to return to his
desk for the exacting work that falls
to his lot. after conducting a piano
concerto or the like. l doubt very
much if every orchestra leader would
be so obliging.
Among the many evidences of the
confidence manifested by our citizens
none were more pleasing and grateful
than the unconditional gifts of Miss
Burnside and Mrs. Lawton. They were
not only helpful by reason of their in
trinsic value, but, coming from those
who have long encouraged US by mate
rial support and friendly sympathy
they were exceedingly gratifying, and
one of them was accompanied by a
message of such tender import to the
donor as to give it peculiar significance.
Such spontaneous expressions of good
viii and sympathy find a response in
the expression of our sincere gratitude
In addition to these, a member of the
association to whom we have long been
greatly indebted for hearty sympathy
and generous material assistance, has
annually of late years contributed a
substantial sum for specific purpose,
which act of confidence has been very
helpful in all ways and is warmly APP
preciated
The treasurer's report has been read
and from it we learn the AID festival
netted a profit of $346. 81, and, after de-
Quoting fixed charges and adding the
income of invested funds with the gifts
alluded to, the funds Of the association
have been increased by the sum of
$751; 10, making their total amount
$685.
The sum received from the sale of the
800 season tickets, with premiums in
cluded, was $6714 and $5407 was re-
ceived from the sale of single tickets
-$12, 121 The total expenses amounted
to $13,641. This comparison shows that
the sole dependence of the managers is
practically upon the receipt from sale
of admissions and premiums. This
should not be, for it is altogether too
precarious a basis to bank upon. The
sum received from sales, with preni-
ums added, exceeded the receipts Of
any previous year in the amount of
money actually received But all the
conditions were unusually favorable.
The weather, very important factor,
was perfect.
Some of our devoted friends and
lovers Of music, approaching the bene-
fit accruing to the city by reason of
these annual festivals, have offered to
become parties to an annual subscrin
ton, forming guaranty fund to be