Connecticut western news., 1917-12-20
CHORAL UNION ANNUAL [Continued from page l.

States, made the remark that the country consisted Of 100, 900. 900 in habitants, mostly colonels. who with their families, spent their time ln conducting the affairs of their neigh. bors. Litchfield county had striking illustration of this remarking the rumors which were current during the past summer and fall regarding the discontinuance of the work ot the choral union. No such idea had at any time entered the minds of those who are responsible for the continuance of the work and the situation was ably summed up in one of our state papers as follows:
 q While the work of organizing Liberty choruses throughout the state is in progress, and voices are being mobil- ized and corcripted in the state coun- Gil of defense's scheme of prepared ness, an absurd rumor has been put into circulation to the effect that the work of the Lltchieid County Choral union of Norfolk and surrounding towns, to which reference was made in this column last week, would be discontinued, pend ng the outcome Of the wa-, and that the annual Norfolk June musical festival would be omitted in defe1ence to the sentiment that large conventions and assemblages, for other thsn absolutely necessary busi- ness purposes, be eliminated from the calendar. This rumor has received It's quietus through a letter to the Hart ford Courant, from the founders, through whose benefcence the Litch- field County Choral union is enable1 to contribute so much to the enjoy ment, uplift and education of that section of the state. In this letter occurs the following passage:
 "There is no truth whatever in the rumor that the Litchield County Choral union will be given up on this work as luxury or an amuse- ment, but as of the highest educa. tional value to those who take part in it and to the general public. It works for good citizenship It brings together people of all shades of religious opinion and it accomplishes the object of making for the higher things in life. We shall continue to sustain this work as long as we are able to do SOL.
 It must be bigoted conception, in- deed of the eternal fitness of things that could classify great forward movement like this choral union in the category ot things to be taboo while the war is on. It might as titt- ingly be proposed to close up the schools and the churches until the 7 conflict is over.
 The continuance of our work for an- other year being assured, the question naturally arises if we are to have the usual festival.
 As far as human foresight can go, 1t is intended to have the festival during the first week in June 1918. The cnly possible contingency to prevent such a festival from being given would be one of national import of sufficient gravity to close temporarily such in. stitutions as churches and schools
 The statement may be made with authority that no one would require more than MT. Mees in the resumption of his duties by Mr. Paine. To the deep regret of the union and the public at large our honorary director has de cided that he cannot at present take ul the work. In this emergency we art again most fortunate in securing tht services of MT Mees, leader O. national reputation, sought by many societies, who comes to us for anothe season at great personal sacrifice assured in every way ol our gratitude, admira tion and cooperation. Mir. Mees vii again have the able assistance of MT Krasschau, and under two such inspir ing leaders we may confidently hop for continuance of our chora y triumphs.
 When the doors of the Music she were closed after our 37th concert las June, 15O,OO people had heard abso lutely free music of the highest order choral and orchestral, from the tim of our foundation to the present year Every member. of the union has tn absolute right to give an invitatio outside of the county, but the val majority of invitations have remaine in our home district. and it may safely stated that every inhabitant ( Litchfield county could have attende two festivals if the invitations hs been given to each resident of th county. Our June concerts were, { usual, pronounced the best yet givel This may have been true but it is mo probable that as the appreciation grov year by year each festival seems
 trifie better than it's predecessor. Al the spiritual side. which is growth yearly should not be overlooked. He
 is an institution free from all comme oialism, greed, jealousy or person ambition, sincere in it's objects al
 striving for the ideal in all respect
 We have set our goal and turned o
 faces toward it with steadfast gag
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