Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Societies

Societies.

The Auckland Choral Society was founded in 1858 for the elevation of musical art and the development of musical talent. Of its founders, the majority are dead, and the late Judge Fenton, as vice-president and chairman of committee, took a prominent and active part in the society for many years. The first concerts were held in the Mechanics' Institute, but at the request of Sir G. F. Bowen, then Governor of the Colony, subsequent concerts were held in a large hall attached to the present Government House. Ultimately the committee acquired the site of the present Choral Hall, at the corner of Symonds and Alfred Streets, and erected a hall, which was afterwards burned down, and as it was not insured its destruction involved a considerable loss. However, another hall was soon built, and properly insured, but no sooner was it completed than it, too, was burned down. The committee then erected the present Choral Hall, which is a substantial plastered brick building, with a frontage of Corinthian pillars, and capable of seating 1100 people. Five oratorio concerts are held each year, and there are about 200 performing members, exclusive of an orchestra of sixty performers. The honorary members number about 300. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening, except during the summer vacation. The subscription is one guinea per annum. Mr. H. Brett, now vice-president and chairman of committee, who has taken a great interest in the society from its inception, has presented a magnificent two-manual pipe organ, which page 258 is erected in the hall. This instrument cost over £800, and is practically a gift to the musical public of Auckland, as all registered musical societies may use it for a nominal fee. The performing members of the Choral Society are admitted upon passing an examination by the conductor and committee. During the time the society has been in existence it has exercised an important influence on the music of the city, by producing compositions of the leading composers, and in other ways. Mr. H. Brett is vice-president and chairman; Mr. G. Harker, vice-chairman and treasurer; Mr. H. J. Edmiston, secretary; Dr. W. E. Thomas, Mus. Doc., Oxford, conductor; Mr. G. A. Paque, L.A.M., henorary deputy conductor.

Mr. H. J. Edmiston, Secretary of the Auckland Choral Society, was born in Scotland in 1860, and arrived in New Zealand
Hanna, photo.Mr. H. J. Edmiston.

Hanna, photo.
Mr. H. J. Edmiston.

with his parents a year later. He joined the Choral Society as secretary in 1886, and has occupied the position ever since.

Mr. Joseph Browne, who arrived in Auckland in 1855, has been termed the father of musical effort in the city and provincial district. In England he had been organist of Holy Trinity Church, Windsor, and conductor of the Musical Society, Eton, a friend and contemporary of Sir G. J. Elvy. After arriving at Auckland he passed hundreds of pupils through his singing classes, and formed and trained the choir of St. Matthew's Church, raising the money and obtaining the organ, at the time the largest and best in New Zealand, and working up a fine choir of sixty picked voices. He organised and established the Auckland Choral Society in 1856, and got together an excellent chorus and orchestra, with the assistance of musicians like Colonel Balneavis, Judge Fenton, Mr. G. J. Browne, and others. The Auckland Choral Society was the first to perform in New Zealand the works of Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and other masters. Mr. Browne was born in 1818, and died in 1884.

The Auckland Liedertafel was inaugurated in July, 1892. At the first meeting, which seven of the present members attended, Mr. Arthur Towsey was elected conductor, and has since continued to occupy that position. The objects of the society are the practice and performance of compositions written for male voices, the advancement of music generally by the production of high-class works, and the promotion of social and convivial intercourse amongst its members. Concerts were first held in conjunction with the then existing Orchestral Union, in the Young Men's Christian Association buildings, and afterwards in the City Hall. Later on the Society acquired the use of the Choral Hall, where the Liedertafel concerts have since been held. The performing members now number about fifty, and membership in the society is considered a distinct honour in musical circles. There are about 350 subscribing members, and about 900 tickets are issued for each concert. Four public concerts, at which ladies are admitted, are held each season, and two smoke concerts are held in the Freemasons' Hall. The society possesses a valuable musical library, to which the latest music is constantly being added. The programmes, which are unique, are designed by the secretary, Mr. Harbutt. Musical evenings are given by the society in the various charitable institutions, notably the Costley Home. Occasional moonlight concerts are held on the harbour; one of the fine ferry boats is chartered for the purpose, and the concerts are always popular and well patronised. The officers of the Liedertafel are: Mr. G. Mueller, president; Mr. A. Towsey, conductor; Mr S. J. Harbutt, secretary; Mr. F. J. Povey, honorary treasurer.

Mr. Sydney J. Harbutt, the popular Secretary of the Auckland Liedertafel, is a son of Mr. Thomas J. Harbutt, so well known in Auckland musical circles. He was educated at the Auckland College and Grammar School, and afterwards entered his father's business. Mr. Harbutt joined the Liedertafel in 1896, and was appointed to his present position in 1900.

Hanna, photo. Mr. S. J. Harbutt.

Hanna, photo.
Mr. S. J. Harbutt.