The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-25
Presidents Report.

President Corley presented he fol-
lowing report:
10 the board eff governors, sut1scrfb.
Ing, choral and honorary members
OF the Wednesday club.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t is most gratifying 10 report that,
while the expenses Of the festival Of
l911-l2 was the largest in the history
OF the club, the receipts exceeded ex-
penses by several hundred dollars
This condition was made possible by
better attendance and a more sub
tantial subscription fee, which shows
c~onclusively that the Richmond pub
lie Will support and patronize
htgh-class entertainments.
A comparative statement of re-
cetpts Of 1al1-12 with the receipts OF
l909-10 is indeed encouraging. show
Ing receipts approximately $4,000
as against $500 for i909-Io a net
gain in receipts of $500 in two
years. his splendid increase places
the club on a good financial basis.
Six thousand dollars has been sub
scribed to the festival of 1879,
four hundred subscriptions as agains.
two hundred and s~eventy-five of this
date last year. a gain ! n inscriptions
OF one hundred and twenty-five or
Sl'otp- Inns gam is SuilttieII 10
/ cause rejoicing by everyone inter
ested in good music, and undoubtedly
means tina plans for a bigger and
better festival for 1928 can be car
ried out.
The music Committees program
of the last festival proved decide eddy
the best and most pleasing program
ever attempted by the II and all
credit is due the music committee.
who iabored so faithfully and earnest
ly to please the patrons of the con-
certs.
We were indeed fortunate In Sc
curing the services OF Mr.. Louis
Weitzel as director of the chorus, he
had many h~andicaps. but met AMI
overcame all obstacles. The menu
bership of the chorus was largely in
creased. and it's work decidedly good.
1t is my judgment that the local
chorus of the club is It's strongest
feature, and the educational advan-
tage afforded its membership is OF
sterling value. Every encouragement
! should be given to increase the mem
bership of the chorus and "A longer
period Of rehearsal work provided.
In this connection 1t is interesting to
state that several directors of church
choirs have intimated their willing
ness to have their choirs sing with
the club at 1t next festival. II this
scheme. which appears to me to b
practical, is carried out, 1t give Rich
mond the best chorus in the country,
and earnestly direct and recom-
mend the attention or me board or
goverors In bringing about this result.
There Is a demand for a week of
grand opera in Richmond and natur-
! ally the people look to the Wednesday
club to undertake this work; but as
/ see the matter at this time we
would make a serious mistake to I'M
dertake to give a week of grand
| opera unit 1.-The city has provided a
large auditorium with a seating ca
pacity of at least eight thousand.
Such a building is very desirable and
should receive the earnest considera-
ton OF our citizens. With the com
pletion of such a building 1t would
be an easy matter for the Wednesday
club to give a week OF grand opera
annually, which would draw to the
gates of the city large crowds from
adjacent states and at the same time
| make II possible to give our citizens
an opportunity of attending grand
opera at low prices. This. however.
should not in the slightest way inter-
| fere with the choral work of the club:
on the other hand the time is ap-
preaching when We should consider
giving a mid-winter festival with ora
| tories by the chorus.
In closing I desire to thank the
! members. OF the board of governs.
the chorus and the subscribing mem
bers for the help and assistance they
have afforded in making the festival
a great success.
Respectfully submitted,
j. c. CORLEY.