New-York tribune., 1922-12-03
Music Festival To Be
suspended; Regret Widely Felt
-u.,ionally Known Service Began in 1893,
D MANY Composers Have Been Invited to
Conduct Their Own Works

~" ~ tht NlilhRc. lhen Tor tNC
years concerts were given az the ar
mory In Winsted, while since 1906 they
have been held In the "music shed"
erected on the Stoeekel estate. White
side. The original structure was in
tended only for temporary use, but a
permanent building, 100 by 80 feet, was
The shed has a stage for
the accommodation Of 500 and the seat
ing capacity Of the auditorium is near
ly 1000.
The capacity was taxed at every
concert.
No admission fee was charged. ad-
mittance being by card, members Of
the chorus being given first preference
for invitations, specified number
always being laid aside for them. A
small section, however, was reserved
for distinguished guests. The demand
for tickets was countrywide. Requests
have come from as far as California,
but even the patrons Of the concerts
are regulated by the limitations placed
and admission was as much sought for
and desired as TO a Yale-Harvard foot
ball game. The popularity Of the con-
certs and the wishes of the music
world led 70 holding concerts on two
days, then three, and finally five days.
Then the musicians union served
notice OF limitations for rehearsals,
aad the concerts were reduced to three.
The purpose inspiring the organiza-
tion Of these concerts and their pro-
motion Is a sincere love Of the art Of
music. Personal aggrandizement was
never in evidence.
It was Mrs. stoeekel who inspired
the present organization. Her father
Robbins Bsttell, was one of the fore
most musicians Of Litehheld County
and a composer Of ability. Every year
one Of his compositions Is sung in his
memory. He directed the music OF
the Litchheld County Centennial in
1852 and in 1874 promoted the or
eanization Of the FIRST Winsted Choral
Society.
In 1897 Mrs. Stoeckel invited those
interested in the formation Of glee
club 70 her home for rehearsals, and
out Of this grew the organization Of
the Norfolk Glee Club in 1898. Gauls
"Holy City was rehearsed and sung.
The Winsted Choral Society was In
vited to join with the club and ae-
cepted, and the Ltchfeld County
Choral Union was organized.
The inspiring motive was to pre-
sent music In its highest form and
TO honor the memory Of Mr.. Battell.
The Salisbury Choir the Canaan
Chorus and the Torrington Musical So
eiety, all organized between 1904 and
1906, came into the union.
Rehearsals were held under the di-
rection Of capable instructors, and con-
certs preliminary 20 the big festival
were held In their respective COM
munities. Their total membership Is
probably 700, active and honorary.
Race and creed are unquestioned; ages
run from eighteen TO sixty years.
From the small societies the festi-
val chorus of 450 voices has always
been selected. Some Of those taking
part in the last concert were charter
members Of the organization and have
never missed q meeting.
To-day a casual visitor in Norfolk
may enter the country store and hear
discussed intelligently the respective
merits of the compositions Of Haydn,
Handel. Mendelssohn, or the ability OF
Kreisler, Zimbalist, Paderewsh or
other instrumentalists by men who are
plainly sgiiculturists. Question one
and he will say;
ave hicks have grown up in an at
mosphere Of only the best music, and
most Of US know personally the worlds
best artists, so we talk music more'n
we do crops"
Regret that concerts should be
omitted even for one year is keen
among the townspeople and is now the
sole topic Of conversation.
Cracker barrel talk is that the con-
eerts were an annual expense Of about
s25, 900 to Mr.. StOeckel. Townspeople
point to the high salaried soloists' the
expense Of bringing composers from
foreign countries and the expenses OF
sixty orchestral players for a week
and not one penny received from the
concerts.
There is sincere appreciation Of what
Mr.. Stoeckel has done for music in the
last twenty years and more, and hopes
are entertained that the date when the
Norfolk festivals will be resumed Is
not far distant.
-o