User:Doug butler/Sydney Choral Society

Sydney Choral Society was the name of several choirs: the first established in 1845, with strong links to the Anglican Church; the second in 1870, another founded by George Edmund Boyle in 1898. Their histories have been closely linked with philharmonic societies and other choral societies in Sydney.

History
The society was established in April 1845 by Henry John Hatch The first committee comprised Hatch, treasurer, later secretary; George R. Hirst, secretary; Dr Charles Nathan FRCS; Henry Tingcombe (later Rev. Tingcombe), C. D. Logan (c. 1803–1864), John Philip Deane, W. McDonell. Practice meetings were held in St James Church schoolroom, Elizabeth Street.

In September 1846, around the time of a special general meeting of the Choral Society, held to discuss progress of the organ, the Harmonic Society was inexplicably denied use of the schoolroom on Castlereagh Street (regularly used by the Choral Society) for a charity concert. Also around this time secretaryship passed from W. McDonell to H. McDonell.

The Society's general meeting of 1857 was poorly attended, and had little positive to report. They were in debt and had few members attending practice sessions. Rev. Thomas Druitt was secretary from 1851 to 1856, when he took two years' leave for a return to England; during his absence members Society decided to wind up its affairs. In August 1858 their custom-built organ was advertised for sale.

On 21 December 1858 the Sydney Vocal Harmonic Society was founded by Rev. Henry Judge Hose, Warden of St Paul's College; Rev. W. H. Walsh (died 17 December 1882), William Wilkins, inspector and superintendent of the National (ie. State) Schools; also Thomas Druitt and Charles Nathan, and other members of the old Choral Society, accepting its unpaid debts. James Waller observed that the reason for the Society's demise was its status as an (Anglican) church body. Other members include William J. Cordner, organist at St Mary's Cathedral, as conductor and Charles S. Packer as organist, G. J. Reid as librarian and assistant secretary. Rev. Allwood arranged for use of the church room for practising.

In 1861 the Vocal Harmonic Society left the Castlereagh Street schoolroom for the new Freemasons' Hall between Clarence and York streets, and the Sydney Philharmonic Society entered into a similar arrangement. In 1862, after years of cooperation on larger productions such as Messiah, the Philharmonic Society purchased the effects of the smaller body, thus effecting an amalgamation. William Cordner was appointed chorus master and organist.

The merger turned sour for the choristers, as the Philharmonic Society increasingly turned to purely instrumental works. In 1870 a new Sydney Choral Society was formed at Needs' Rooms on Pitt Street, with Carl Schmitt as conductor. Their first production, Handel's oratorio, Judas Maccabaeus, with around 150 in the chorus, at the School of Arts on 28 June, was favorably reviewed. Major works in 1871 included Haydn's Seasons at the Masonic Hall; Neukomm's Hymn from the Easter Morning at the Masonic Hall and Messiah at the Prince of Wales Opera House, were successful artistically and financially. The following annual report was less positive — the Society, had mounted six concerts but despite the best efforts of Schmitt and organist E. A. Roper, the Society reported a nett loss of around £80. Schmitt, who had been suffering indifferent health, retired as conductor shortly after. In July 1873 the Society changed its name to Philharmonic Society, the name having fallen into disuse. Alex Rea was the new conductor and organist.

Quote from article Joseph Massey sen. He became conductor of Sydney's first philharmonic society and the Sydney Choral Society, which met at the Sydney School of Arts, and produced the well-known oratorios Messiah and Judas Maccabaeus and others.

The Sydney Sacred Choral Society performed Mendelssohn's Elijah in 1879

Sydney Choral Orchestral Society

Sydney Choral Society led by a Miss Robinson 1894

Sydney Choral Society of the Royal Agricultural Society 1898, conducted by G. E. Boyle, still going 1901
 * Sydney Federal Choral Society

Town Hall Concert vanishes or turns into singing class? 1907
 * Sydney Choral Operatic Society
 * Sydney Harmonic Choral Society

being called Sydney Choral Society

Back again? SCS sings Elijah in 1915 under W. Reginald Gooud