Connecticut western news., 1915-12-16
CANAAN CHORUS
Reports it's Eleventh Year as Best of
 It's History"

The report ot the tanann Choral Society as read hy President F. C. Gillette, at the annual meeting at Del monico's, last Friday, was as follows:
 The Canaan Chorus has passed tha first year of its second decade in hap. piness and harmony. aad is able to re- port the hest year of its history. In saying this l refer not merely to cur enjoyment of the seasau's concerts, nor to the matter of interest and attend ance, hut also to ability of the chorus
 We never had so well balanced chorus nor one which undertook so diff
 ficult work us the Faust" with more of the ease of seasoned chorus. We
 know from the things that our encour. aging but conservative conductor said that the felt that the Canaan chorus was sure to he more of factor in the
 Norfolk concerts than it had ever been.
 The chorus was pleased to be chosen
 to sing in the varied and dramatic music of the Faust" though the "Stabat Mater" was enjoyed in concert as one of the most exquisitely beautiful works given at Norfolk. The men of the Canaan chorus particularly enjoyed the male chorus work of the "Faust,' finding the special rehearsals thereof of great interest.
 There were l6 regular rehearsals held at Canaun last season and one for men only. For the first. time we gave nn extra invitation to those who were per feet in attendance, with the result that our record was the best we ever had; in fact it would be remarkable if we were not used to remarkable records in the Litchfield County Choral union. Where outside of the glorious five towns could you find u company of l05, 1 5 of whose number came from villages from three to eight miles away, four of whose number took extended journeys into tho far countfy''of California and of Florida, one of whose number at- tended three rehearsals and then ap- pendicitis did the rest and three e-others of whom had to suspend their member ship because of sickness, and yet whose average attendance at rehearsals extend ing from January to June was 98a, which is g2 per cent. or dropping out the six who were not in regular attend ance at the end of the season it waH 96.7 per cent? This is the highest record yet made by the chorus. If every member had been present every time, it would have meant total ai- tendance of I,709, and there were actually present at rehearsals I,57b. The total absences were 1894, and of these 66 were chargeable to the eight who were either sick or who were ab- sent on prolonged journeys, leaving nh fn remaining 97 members. That is only about two-thirds of an absence apiece. Of the l05 there were 53 who were perfect in attendance and that is half of a member more than half of the members. Our largest attendance WAS l0l and our smallest was 92. There are I7 new names added to the roll, some of whom had had experience and were real acquisitions. There were 49 sopranos, 27 altos, nine tenors and 20 passes. Our accompanist, Miss Gladys DeHart, has been doing increasingly satisfactory work and at the end of the season our directors voted her extra compensation as an expression of our appreciation of her work.
 The annual meeting was held in No vember and was an interesting and pleasant occasion. As an indication of our chorus attitude toward the pro- gram for the coming season, would mention that a vote was passed which, after expressing our good wishes to MT. Paine for his sabbatical year, said, "In loyalty to him we pledge our hearty support to those who shall be responsi- ble for the continued success of the union in his absence" l think that represents the hearty and unanimous feeling of our chorus. In fact, the chorus and the community were never more loyal to the institution, never more appreciative of the remarkable advantages which it affords and never more grateful to MT. and Mrs. Stockel or more enthusiastic about MT. Paine. There was never a mere clamorous de- sire q don't like the word "demand" in this case) for the invitations, and at first it looked hopeless to gratify it, but our paiustaking secretary, Mir. Parsons, by judicious recommendations to mem. bers who had invitations not needed for personal friends. was able to see that practically everyone desiring it was given the opportunity for one con- cert. We allow each member one in- vitation for each night, and those who have been perfect one extra invitation. The balance is assigned by the directors to persons in the community who have not received them from friends.
 There has been a steady growth in the musical culture Of the community, and in its appreciation of the higher forms of music. If our Canaan people have any better ears for the heavenly harmonies or any better voices to share therein, you will all know to what and to whom to give the credits.