The visit of the Sheffield Choir last year was looked on as likely to bring about a revival in choral music in Dunedin, and it was confidently hoped by those directly interested that it would lead to the strengthening of the local Society.
This hope has not been realised so far, and those who have endeavoured in the past to cultivate this class of music have not received much encouragement.
Various causes have operated to defeat their efforts, and various reasons have been advanced to account for the diminished interest shown. It must, however, be remembered that this diminished interest is not a new phenomenon in Dunedin. During the last forty years at least four societies having the same or a very similar name have come into existence, flourished for a time, and then died.
It is somewhat remarkable, too, how quickly the personnel of such societies has altered. This may in part be due to the lack of persistence which characterises the efforts of a large section of the community, who are always wanting something new, but it is also due to the difficulties which beset the path of those who seek to carry on such societies. Some of these difficulties are the cost of providing new music and of obtaining orchestral assistance, the necessity of paying soloists, and the lack of support from the outside public. The competitions society has, rightly or wrongly, been blamed for bringing forward annual crops of youthful performers, who, because they have won a prize or gained a commendation from that Society, straightaway imagine themselves soloists, demand fees for their assistance, and scout the idea of enrolling themselves among the rank and file of the chorus.
The public, too, will not turn out to hear the same oratorios and cantatas frequently repeated; it wants variety, not necessarily new music, but music that will be new to it. Solo work also performed by local artists does not, as a rule, appeal to the popular imagination. What is wanted apparently is a reorganisation of the Society on sound lines, and the first step, we are glad to see, has been taken in demanding that every member shall pass a test of his or her fitness to take part. Better a small chorus of capable, well-trained, and balanced voices, which can be increased as material comes forward, than one that is made up of people many of whom cannot read music and some of whom cannot even sing.
We understand that a new departure will be made after Easter, that a bold and attractive programme for the year will be issued, and that arrangements will be made for bringing first-class soloists to work in conjunction with the Society. In view of the fact that there is at least a prospect that Dunedin may have a Town Hall ere long, provided with a fine organ, the desirability of once more building up a strong Choral Society seems to become more and more apparent, and it is to be hoped that the efforts of the new committee will be crowned with the success which they deserve.
• Mr Harold Hodgkinson, of Hawera Flat, has been engaged during the past three weeks inspecting the deer in the National Park (says the Mataura Ensign). He reports that he saw a great number of deer in the dense bush, sufficient to warrant the issue of a number of licenses. The animals were fine specimens with well-grown heads, and he thought that many in the Hauroto district resembled those in the Wairarapa. Their antlers were short and massive, while those in the Manapouri district were more of the Scottish type.
- ODT 28.3.1912.
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