The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-08-27
DISSENSION KILLS
BERKELEY CHOIR
Bach Festival Abandoned as
Result of Disagreement
With Leader

BERKELEY. Aug. 26.-Unable TO
reach an agreement as to how the bust
ness management of the Bach festi-
walls was to be conducted, the famous
Bach choir of this city has disbanded
and will not be continued as an or
ganization. This action was decided
upon last night after a protracted
meeting at the home of Prof. d. n
Lehmer. president of the council of the
choir Prof J. Fred Wolfe, head OF
the department of music al the univer7
in the Greek theater. rendered last
April by the choir, may organize an
sother band of musicians independent
of the former choir.
The direct cause of the disba nding
of the Bach choir is the result of a
disagreement between DR.. Wolfe and
the members OF the council of the
choir as TO the business management
Of the festival and the rehearsals. The
council composed of Professor Lehmer
Mrs Orrin Kip McMurray. J. II. Wills
James WIPER, r. A. Berry and Miss
Lillian Clark. wished Doctor Wolfe to
afix his signature to contract for
the present season, which the univer-
sity musician declined to do, as he said
that he made it a practice never to
affix his signature to such legal docu-
ment
REPRESENTATIVES, DISBAND
Failing to secure the signature of the
well known leader. the representatives
of The choir disbanded. Professor
Lehmer said that they would not at
tempt to secure another leader nor
take part in the festival in any way
Professor Wolfe is not disturbed by
the action Of the council last night and
stated that the council was not or
ganized until after he had completed
the organization of the choir He de-
clared that the choir was the result
of the plans he had made with Miss
Lillian Clark. secretary OF the organ
ization. and that, inasmuch as he was
the originator of the~festival plans, he
considered that he should act as his
own business manager.
The members of the choir decline to
continue the arrangement of last year
on account of the fact that they were
not aware untA after the festival was
rendered of the existence of an agree
ment between Professor Wolfe and
Miss Clark.
This agreement was to the effect
that Doctor Wolfe as leader was to re-
ceive $50 for each rehearsal of the
musicians, which as there were SO re-
hearsals would bring Doctor Wolle's
share Of the proceeds to S2.490.
There was only the sum of $500 in
the treasury after the festival. and
Doctor Wolfe claimed this amount was
due him according to the agreement he
! had with Miss Clark.
FIND TREASURY EMPTY
! The council was not aware of this
agreement until after Doctor Wolfe
! had departed for the east. and then ii
was discovered that the treasury was
empty. a meeting was held and il
was agreed that some. business man
ager should be appointed and that ar
auditing committee should also be
/ fermed.
With the disbanding of the choir
the scheme to erect chapel for the
festivals and for the choir rehearsals
has been dropped and the plea for as.
sistance from the chamber of commerce
will be withdrawn.
The disagreement with Professo,
Wolfe. who is recognized as one of thu
foremost musicians on the coast. anc
the choir is the talk of the musician.
OF this city. The future for music
which looked so bright a few month:
ago. is declared to be dimmed, but tn.
musical coterie are hopeful of the
formation of another choir for the ex.
ploitation Of Bach's music.