Connecticut western news., 1909-06-17
ADDRESSED TO MUSIC LOVERS
President of the Canaan Chorus Writes
 of the County Choral Union

of the County Choral Union
 To the EDITOR of THE NEWS
 That the work of the Ltchfield County Choral Union and its liberal patrons is coming to be appreciated by an in creesing circle is evidenced in many ways. We have recently read splendid articles of appreciation in such papers as the Boston Transcript, Post and in the Musician. No doubt many other such articles have appeared, all bearing testimony to the splendid quality of the work done, the uniqueness of the oppor- tunity thus afforded the dwellers among the hills, and the immeasurable possi bilities which may result from such a movement. The words of the Boston Transcript are the testimony of all {: "There is no organization in the world just like the Litchfield County Choral Union. What it has already done can not be covered in a paragraph or two {; what 1t may do, who knows? It pro- poses neither to produce great singers or great composers, yet it would be strange if some one of superior merit should not yet come from those grand old Litchfield hills, and perhaps the in- spiration which urges to the fore the great American composer may find its source here" Concerning this last MT. Chadwick said that there was not in any co untry of the world such an incentive offered to the aspiring composer as that which is offered through the University Club and the Choral Union It is not merely the 5000 honorarium but also the assurance which is afforded the com poser that his work will receive adequate presentation. M
 The high opinion which Mir. Chad wick holds of the work of the Union is shown by two remarks which he made at the University club supper. He said that he had participated in many musi- cal events in this and other countries but he did not know that he was ever so thrilled as at the two concerts which had been given the week before. And con- corning the election to honorary mem- bership to the Union he sad: 1T con- sider it great honor which has been conferred upon me tonight, gentlemen; I hold your Choral Union in that re- spect."
 One of the features which makes these concerts unique is the incomparable set ting of them. shall never forget the impression of the first concert, hearing the singing of the great Nordica and the peepinR of the frogs at the same time. The location of the Music Shed is just right. By the time one has passed the gates and wound around through the beautiful lawns, scanned the landscape through the gap to the Western mountains made glorious by the setting sun and drunk in the beauty of the great wooded cliffs with those ex- quisitely beautiful azalias brightening the shadows there has been created a mood for the beautiful music which IS to follow. There is Mid summer Night's Dream" effect about the whole thing.
 Another thing which makes those concerts unique is the fact that they are free, admission being strictly by invi- tation. These invitation are turned over to the constituent choruses for distribu- tion. Mir. Stoeckel retaining only a small proportion for his friends and to meet the increasing demand among mus ical people outside the district. AS some one has said, while these concerts are free they are not free to all as there isn't room for all. <
 One of the difficulties which confronts the officers each year is the distribution of invitations. One hundred and fifty for each concert are assigned to the Ca naan chorus and after taking and about ninety five for the registered members it is obvious that some must be disap- pointed amoung the many who desire to go to the concerts. This year we were able to invite to at least one of the three concerts all whose desires were made known to us in time.
 The public seems to have appreciated the difficulties which confronted the directors and to have realized their iu- tention to be impartial, for there has never any feeling resulted from the dis tribution as far we have known. Pre- cedence has been given to those. who have shown thelr interest and readiness to cooperate by money contributions or other assistance rendered. However, the directors wish it distinctly under. stood that the payment of certain sum of money to become an associate mem Der does not "entitle' anybody to invit- ations. This would be a perversion of the whole idea. However, it is obvious that the chorus should desire the atten- dance of those who believe in and sup port the work.
 venture the assertion that you will nowhere find such democratic dis tribution of invitations to a function of