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001C97BA July 26, 1929. THE WEST VAN NEWS IChoral Society By ~jrs. lV. ~lcguaker A list of the many activities and lines of endeavor followed by the adult of the community, would convey little or nothing tu the average mind, of the in- t«nse devotion to music both in- strumental and vocal indulged in and fostered by the several dif- f& rent interests. The )VestVancouverChoral So- ciety has completed its eighth annual session, with consider- able success, both artistic and niaterial. ~Vorks of the highest standard have been studied and in con- cert at home and abroad. Hand- el's "hlessiah" (four times), "Stabit hlater," "St. Paul," "Hi- awatha's ~Vedding Feast" and several others. The selection of the musical executive for 1930 being "Tales of Old Japan." As an indication of merit, in com- petition at the B, C. Musical Festival their reocrd stands four times first and three times sec- ond for large mixed choirs over 60 voices, this record of success has been made possible through their good fortune in retaining the assistance of Prof. James M. Morgan, a conductor and teach- er of long standing and experi- ence and who can inspire his pupils with Celtic fire and ferv- our so necessary to true melody and tuneful song. The activities of this large or- ganization will be guided during the coming session of 1929 and 1930 by President, hfr. 1V. B. Thomas, Sec'y, hfrs. R. Howieson, Treas., hlr. T. Cutler. ~Vest Van. Ladies'hoir. 1Vest Vancouver Ladies Choir for three years has added much to the enjoyment of music lovers by their sterling work in con- AIRS. F. X, HODGSON Premier Vocalist and Conductor of Dundarave Ladies'hoir. cert and true artistic interpreta- tion of melodic music enhanced by the physical beauty of the members, who convey the im- pression of happy homes in beautiful surroundings, under the skilful leadership of Prof. J. hl. hforgan, are on the threshold of fame in the musical world, with a membership of 35 they are presided over by President, Mrs. 1Vm. McQuak- ei', Sec. Treas., Mrs, R. C. Procter. Dundarave Ladies'hoir Dundarave Ladies Choir in the first year of inception has already entered the realms of artistic production and like other ~Vest Vancouver choirs, bids fair to earn for itself a big reputa- tion under the leadership of Mrs. I". X. Hodgson, herself a bright particular in the musical firma- ment. The services of the hlcIntyre String (}uartette are in demand at all seasons, but notwithstand- ing extreme pressure of engage- n~ents, devote an appreciable share of their time and talent to local admirers. Leader and 1st violin, hliss hlargaret hlcIntyre, 2nd violin, Mr. S. hfcIntyre, Cello, hlr. A. hlclntyre, Piano, hlrs. J. hlclntyre. Naturally with so many adult musical performers, many de- vote their services to the tuition Of the rising generation. Prof. James M. hlorgan, voice projuction. hliss Margaret hfcIntyre, L.C. B., composer, violin and piano. hlrs. F. Knight Hodge, violin and piano and theory. hlrs. F. X. IIodgson, voice and piano. AIrs. J. Durbin, piano. hlrs. C. wilson, piano. hfiss M. Frame, piano. 1Vith a modicum of teaching already introduced to the school curriculum the younger genera- tion are provided with every op- portunity to adopt and carry on the artistic and musical develop- ment initiated by the pioneers of ] 921. B. R. HARRISON Past President Choral Society The District Excels in Music By B. R. Harrison )Vho has ever seen a boy in the topmost branches of a tree and not noticed that he was either whistling a song in the happiest frame of mind or exer- cising his vocal chords to the breaking strain, the height ap- pt rently bringing out whatever music the climber was gifted with, the higher the altitude the greater the volume--quality not i ecorded. whether in the mountainous districts of the Old Land, or in continental countries such as Germany, Bavaria or Switzer- land, among the mountains there i~ to be found the home of some of the finest music and song which for all time will live in the hearts of music lovers. On the banks of the Lake of Lucerne stands the home amidst t hose lovely mountain peaks ii hich lent inspiration to the great composer EVagner whereby ne was able to transpose the har- mony not only derived from the lofty mountains, but impelled by the waves as they lashed the banks of the lake. Being unfamiliar with the great prairie districts of the Do- minion one is not in a position to say if the steps of our travel- lerss are accompanied with song, but high up in the mountains of Switzerland one hears the yodel of the alpine climber as he winds liis way over the tortuous passes and trails. The mountains and @lens of Scotland is the only proper setting for the bagpipes. iV. B. THOilAS, hI.B.E. Piesident IVest Van. Choral So- ciety, 1929. and until you have heard these v eird instruments played in tlieir native surroundings, you are not qualified to pass an opin- ion regarding the musical merits of the instrument, they are just as much out of place in the city streets as a saxophone is in a drawing room, or anywhere else. One wonders if the mountain- ous district of the North Shore has been the lodestone that has attracted so many musical folk to EVest Vancouver. Suffice it to say, judging from the musical organizations now flourishing in the district, it is evident that our borough is the most important musical section in Greater Van- couver, this condition having grown with the expansion of the municipality. In spite of the fact up to the present there is no suitable accommodation to pre- sent a concert of any magnitude very excellent programmes have been presented from time to time by our Choral Society,none sur- passing in quality the perform- ances of the season 1928-29. This society under the name of the EVest Vancouver hlusical Society was organized in the year 1922 by the late Mr. Charles hIcIntyre and hIr. R. Ford, and n'uch credit is due these gentle- inen for their untiring efforts in the early days of the society, the fruit of which has been the pres- ent valuable asset to the munici- pality. Since its inception Prof. J. hf. Morgan has been the con- ductor, and has lead his forces in many a competition at the hJusical Festival. Records show that on no less than four occas- ir ns has the coveted Shield been won, under the baton of Mr. Morgan, which places the society in the premier position in B. C. IIonored as it has been in hav- ing the Governor General of Can- ada and Lieut. Governor of B. C. as patrons, it is justly proud in bei»g the only choral society in C'canada holding such a distinc- tion. "Nothing succeeds like success" has been proved in this particular connection, as at the present time the membership numbers considerably over 100 with an associate membership of upwards of 50. IVorks of a high oider have always appealed to this society, the hIay Queen, Hi- awatha, St. Paul, and Stabat hfater are among the selections, all of which have been presented i» a very creditable manner. Records show that the present p ear finds more musical organiz- ations in our midst than at any other time. In addition to the li.rge Choral Society there are two very able ladies'horuse3, the IVest Vancouver Ladies'hoir which came into existence through the efforts of hliss Jack in the year 1926 with Prof. J. hI. hlorgan as conductor, and last i ear the Dundarave Ladies'hoir was inaugurated by, and under the leadership of hfrs. F. X. Hodgson. Both these choirs have achieved very enviable po- sitions for themselves and at the iecent Festival battled royally fur the highest honors, which al- most ended in a tie, one point only, recorded in favor of the r,ther choir. The hlusical Festival has al- ways been well supported by West Vancouver an 1 we can pride ourselves on the fact that practically all competitors from this side gained high marks and no less than 13 medals have been awarded to local competitors which include the following: Al- bert Kendrick (piano duet), hlrs. Colin hfacLean and hlrs. F. X. Ho:lgson (vocal duet), Edith white (junior singing), hliss Joan Durbin (singing), hliss Jack, h!rs. Rivers and hfrs. Clark (vocal trio), hlrs. F. X. Hodgson and hfrs. Lefeaux (piano duet). hlrs. Jack Bruce (singing), Mr. Aubray Clark (singing), hlrs. F. X. Hodgson gained the medal and cup in 1924 and the Gold hfedal 1925. It is no mean record to note ti.at on nine occasions have com- Championship for singing in petitors from EVest Vancouver been in the Finals. These in the majority of cases in- clude our younger musicians. Rex Rhodes for violin came in second in the Festival of 1926- 27 and third place in 1929; Beat- rice Hodgson for violin gained second place in 1928. In the jun- ior piano Gertrude Nash gained second place and Joan Jefferies third place in 1929, then Robert Lemori representing the boy singers gained the second place. Mrs. Colin MacLean was second in the finals in 1928, and 3frs. Eager was in the finals of 1929, both in the vocal section. Instrumental music up to the present has not been fostered to any extent. It is encouraging to report, however, that a Sym- phony Orchestra has been form- d(r L AIRS. F. KNIGHT-HODGE Teacher of Violin, whose pupils have been exceptionally successful. ed this year with an enrolment approximately seventeen members. As it is under the dir- ection of hfiss Margaret hfcIn- tyre there is little doubt but tliat the venture will prove a most successful one, the first concert may be expected early in the Fall. It is quite reason- «ble to expect that in time there will be joint concerts arranged and the Choral Society will be supported by a well-trained or- chestra adding materially to the enjoyment of the concert season in )Vest Vancouver. A survey of the musical activ- ities in the municipality would not be complete without special mention of the hlcIntyre Quart- ette as this delightful orchestra has been so liberal in its sup- PROF J ~l ~IORG WN Conductor of Choral Society and IVest Van. Ladie»'hoir. port and contributions to music- al programmes on many occas- ions. Those attending the Little Theatre Society appreciate the finished style of this orchestra and it would be difficult to real- ise a more perfectly blended quartette. hfiss hlcIntyre, the leader, is not only an accomplish- ed violinist, but is equally at home with the piano and her musical compositions have brought well deserved credit on many occasions, one of the most outstanding being a song entitl- ed "Lost Lagoon" which was s»ng in a remarkably fine style by hlrs. Colin hlcLean at the recent Choral Society concert. This composition was entered in the 1929 hIusical Festival and was acclaimed by those who had the privilege of hearing the per- formance one of the most bril- liant contributions to the Festi- val, resulting in the Gold Medal being awarded to this talented composer. Ecclesiastical music of a high order has always been supported by several of the local churches, notably St. Stephens (Anglican) and the United Church, both riiaintaining well balanced choirs. The Anglican choir at present vnder the direction of Xr. J. H. Smith, has been responsible for presenting some of those charm- ing works of John Stainer and Passion music such as the "Cruc- ifixion" has on several occasions been rendered in a very credit- able manner by this choir. Their recent rendering of hIaunder's "Olivet to Calvary," left a very good impression, sympathy and reverence being noticeably dis- played. This choir is well sup- ported by a young and very promising organist in hlr. Ken- drick. The choir at the United Church is possibly a larger body of singers and musical services at this church have always been a special feature, and under the supervision of an experienced choir master, hlr. J. Haydn Young, the rendering of an- thems on Sundays demonstrate the singers to be of unusual mer- it, and soloists at the morning and evening services display a- bility not to be surpassed in any city church, and the organist. hfrs. Durbin, adds considerably to the reverence of the choral contributions of the services. It is quite probable that some noteworthy musical event or musician of merit has not ap- pc',ared in these notes. Let it be said however, that an apology is offered if any have been over- looked as it has not been the intention of the writer to elim- inate anv names of those in our midst who have contributed to the musical success of the muni- cipality. AVe- t Vancouver possesses such a wealth of musical ability rarely found in a municipality of its size and age, it being the smallest and youngest in Great- er Vancouver,