1st October 1926 - Buntingford and District Musical Society

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Buntingford & District Musical Society

Annual General Meeting

The Season's Work

The annual general meeting of the Buntingford and District Musical Society was held at the Congregational Schoolroom on September 20.

Dr R.W. Fell, M.D., presided, and there was a good attendance of members.

Before the commencement of the business, the chairman said he would like to compliment the Society on its splendid success last season.

At the Letchworth Festival they had carried off two cups, two firsts and one second, which was a great honour. Personally he felt that it was a great honour to be president of such a Society.

In congratulating them on their past record, he also expressed the hope that their work in the coming season would reach an equally high standard.

1926-27 Season

The coming winter season was discussed, and it was decided to hold practices every Monday at 7 p.m. Members were also asked to enrol new members, tenors being especially required.

The Herts Musical Festival will be held at St Albans early next year, and any wishing to join the Society should obtain particulars from the Conductor (Mr E.E. Dennis), Mr H. Cutts, Mr A.G. Day, or Mr S. Daniels.

Election of Officers

The election of officers resulted as follows: President (Dr R.W. Fell, M.D.), re-elected; Hon. Sec. Mr H. Cutts; and Hon. Treasurer, Mr S. Daniels.

Mr E.E. Dennis was unanimously appointed conductor. The Chairman and Mr W.J. May referred in eloquent terms to the efficient way in which Mr Dennis had carried out his duties. He had brought the Society to its present high state of efficienct, and they did not known [sic] what they would do without him. (Applause).

Mr W.J. May, the late Hon. Treas., was reluctantly compelled to resign that post and as stated above Mr H. Cutts was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr Dennis moved a vote of thanks be accorded Mr May for his valued services during the past. (Applause).

He (Mr Dennis) also thanked the officers and members for the way in which they had carried out their duties. The members had given their local and regular support. He hoped that the splendid keenest that had prevailed amongst them would continue.

Thanks were also accorded Miss M. Macklin for her great help at the piano last season.

Thanks

Before the meeting closed Mr Dennis moved a hearty vote of thanks to their President, Dr Fell.

Their President had always taken a deep interest in the Society, and it was a great pleasure to have him at their head. He hoped that the great interest Dr Fell took in all matters relating to the Society would continue. (Applause).

4th February 1927 - Buntingford & District Musical Society

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Buntingford & District Musical Society

Present "The Pied Piper of Hamelin"

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"Rats! They fought the dogs and killed the cats, And bit the babies in their cradles"

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On Wednesday evening of last week Buntingford and District Musical Society preseted Parry's "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" at the Benson Hall, Buntingford. This is one of the most difficult works the Society has yet dealt with, and their production is worthy of the highest praise.

There was a well-balanced orchestra, the members of which came from Hertford, Letchworth, and Hitchin, while the soloists were Mr Ralph Williams, L.R.A.M. (tenor) and Mr Rintoul Johnson (baritone). These two soloists were heard at their best, their style of singing being charming and arresting.

The story goes that after the Pied Piper had cleared the town of the rats the Mayor and Corporation tried to evade payment of the thousand guilders previously offered him, and then the Piper stepped into the street,

"And to his lips again, Laid his long pipe of smooth, straight cane, And out came the children running."

Then they were led away by the Pipe to a hill, in which a caverna was suddenly hollowed. And when they were all in the door in the mountain-side shut fast,

"And Piper and dancers were gone for ever."

Although the piece had been so effectively set to music by C. Hubert Parry, the words are, of course, by Robert Browning, and if it is one of the most difficult works the Society has touched it is remarkably short, lasting little more than half-an-hour.

It was therefore necessary to fill up the programme with other items, and Mr E.E. Dennis , the conductor to the Society, git on a novel idea when he introduced Community Singing into the programme. The second part of the programme was therefore taken up with Community Singing, and after a little instruction from the conductor, the whole audience were joining heartily in the singing of such well-known songs as "John Peel," "Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag," and "Tipperary."

"Buntingford's Burning" was a special favourite, with "Shenandoah" a close second.

Mr E.E. Dennis, who has worked so assiduously for the Society, conducted the whole programme. Mention must also be made of the valuable services rendered by the pianist, Miss Macklin; Mrs Fell, Mrs Butler and Mrs H. Feasey were in charge of the catering arrangements; while Messrs H. Clarke, F.W. Butler, E.C. Clarke, and E. Martin kindly acted as stewards.

22nd April 1927 - The Buntingford and District Musical Society's Easter Draw

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The Buntingford and District Musical Society's Easter Draw

Prize-winners

The following are the Prize-winners, together with the Prizes, in connection with the Buntingford and District Musical Society's Easter Draw. Those persons who had not yet received prizes can obtain same to by applying to Mr S. Daniels, High Street, Buntingford.

Name - Address - Prize

J. Castle - 20, Heaton Road, Heston - Silk for Jumper

J. Geary - 232, High Street, Ponder's End - Condiment Set

A. Brooker - London Road, Hitchin - Voucher

D.A. Burr - Standon - Powder Bowl

D. Pinnock - Cottered - Biscuit Barrel

A. White - 23, Green Road, Nr. Croydon - Sugar Bowl

D. Neale - Hare Street Lane - Easter Egg Basket

H. Mayes - Baldock Lane - Oak Tray

F. Handscombe - 9, Bridge St., Bishops Stortford - Umbrella

N. Page - Cottered - Iced Cake

Mr Tinsley - Buntingford Station - Half-dozen Knives.

E. Wyman - Nuthampstead - Port

Mr Taylor - Westmill - Teddy Bear

P.C. Brown - Letchworth - Tea Cosy

F.J. Hind - 12, Straff Road, Brixton - Wrist Watch

W. Hills - Cottered - Easter Egg

Miss Porter - Norfolk Road - Cigarettes

Miss Porter - Norfolk Road - Tin Biscuits

C. Chapman - Brecknock, Puckeridge - Fountain Pen

F. Savage - (White City) Walkern - Hearth Rug

A. Brinklow - 33, Vic Road, Bletchley - Tea Spoons

Vera Whiting - Church Street, Buntingford - Box Chocolates

J. Mitchell - 8, Shackleton Rd, Soulhall, Mix. - Cookery Book

N. Hatchett - Wyddiall - Easter Egg

J.G. Mallian - 27, Croft Road, Ware - Fruit Bowl

A.A. White - 23, Greenwood Road, Croydon - Silk Scarf

Vera Dowding - Wyddiall Road - Fowl

Mrs Scott - Church Street - Scooter

A. Jackson - Buntingford - Mirror

E.C. Howard - Langley, Bucks - Chocolates

Mark Hammond - Throcking - Pair Silk Stockings

Mrs Heman - Easter Egg

Mr H. Houlden - Station Road - Clock

Grip - High Street - Box Handkerchiefs

S. Corp - Wakeley - Whiskey

Joan Sparkes - Furneaux Pelham - Tin Tea.

15th April 1927 - Buntingford Musical Society

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Buntingford Musical Society

"Olivet to Calvary"

On Tuesday evening last, a large congregation gathered in St Peter's to hear the Cantata "Olivet to Calvary" (Maunder), rendered by the Buntingford Musical Society.

Mr E.E. Dennis, who presided at the organ, interpreted with skill and sympathy the theme of the Cantata, and which opens with the triumphant entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, following Him to the agony in the garden, the trial before Pilate, His condemnation, and finally the last scene at Calvary - and the choir responded to his leading, the result being, not a mere performance, but a deeply touch religious service.

Mr Daniels as baritone, and Mr Ralph Williams as tenor soloists, were greatly appreciated; also Mrs Hull, who took the soprano solo.

The first part closed with a very beautiful rendering of the hymn, "Just as I am," and the second paty with "Rock of Ages," in both of which the congregation joined heartily.

The service was opened with prayer by the Rev. A. Howard, and closed with the general Thanksgiving.