Connecticut western news., 1917-12-27
ANNUAL MEETING OF CHORAL
 UNION HELD AT NORFOLK
Continuation of Report. Rev. Edwin C. Gillette Gives Report of
 Canaan Chorus.

Canaan Chorus.
 The music committee begs to recc Da mend fol presentation at the first con- cert Parker's "Dream ot Mary" and Ehadwick's Patriotic Ode, also a group of "Netheriand: :sh Folk Songs" al with orchestral accom- mpani iment.
 For the second night we suggest the presentation of that splendid of all concert pieces, "1he Requiem Mass" by Verdi Circumstances are such that we can produce an all-star quartet of American singers for the solo parts and we sha.. again have outside of our regular orchestra force eight trumpet CTS to give the proper effect in the 'tDies Irae" and we propose to use these trumpeters also in the 'SGar Spangled Banner" which will open the concert.
 The tn I'd night will be devoted to a concert of orchestral music with solo ists and the presentation of new or chestral works by the regular orches tra of 75 players.
 The dates will be as follows:
 Monday, June 3-Dress rehearsal. chorus, soloists and orchestra.
 Tuesday, June 4-Concert, Parker's "Dream of Mary" Chadwick's "Patri otic Ode", "Netherlandish Folk Songs".
 Wednesday, June 5-Concert, Yer dis Requiem Mass''.
 Thursday, June 6-Concert. orches- rral music with soloists.
 The Canaan Chorus. First of all, let me explain the fact of my presentation of the Canaan re- port when am no longer president of the Canaan chorus or a resident of that beloved village. When was about to leave Canaan the first of October the annual meeting was called earlier than usual in order graciously to make 1t a sort of "send off" for Mrs. Gillette and myself and a most delightful "send off" it was, with a set of cher ished resolutions and a gold piece to invest in Victrola records as suitable reminders of the rich musical experi- ences in Norfolk. The chorus elected R. D. Peirce as president. He had been v;ce-president for l3 years and had been waiting patiently fo- promo ton. At last it came, but the prize having been go long just beyond his grasp, his hand trenbled and his heart grew faint and he said that he would take the office only on condition that present the report for the last season, provided was invited to the next officers meeting Whether there was connivance between. MT. Peirce and MT. Stoeckel or not, I cannot say. At any rate received an invitation from MT. Stoeckel with the request that read the usual report Now would read anything and do anything that would ensure me the privilege of gathering once more with the officefz of the Litchfield County Choral union, of being once more the guest of our good friend, MT. Stoeckel and enjoying the illusion that I am still in the charmed circle, still factor in what is the most unique mus.cal movement in America or in the world. I met, the other day, in Hartford, our good friend, Winthrop Gone. and he in- quired, "Well, how do you like it down below?" replied, "Now look here. lknow that you live in Gods own country, and it's surely pretty close 10 heaven, but object to the implication that went down below when left it''.
 For 13 years (that is from it's found. ing) I was a member of the Canaan orus of the Litchfeld County Choral union, and during all that period they honored me with the office ot president Mrs. R. D. Peirce, the wife of my successor in that office first came to me with the suggestion that perhaps Canaan might be included in Sthe favored towns, and would go and see MT. Paine and Mrs Stoeckel about it? went to see MT. Paine, in whose chorus in Hartford I had sung for three seasons, and received from his encour- agement to see MT. Stueckel and re- ceived from his immediate assurance that Canaan would be included if Ca- naanc would form a chorus. We'll we formed a chorus, at least MT. Paine was gracious enough to call that a chorus which another called "motley clew". But the years of training under MT. Paine have developed real chorus, with real love for the wolk and with no moan ability.
 cannot tell you what the choral union meant to me personally all those years nor how deeply value the homo: accorded to Mrs Gillette and myself of heirg electad honorary mem-