Presentation to Tertius Noble

T. Tertius Noble, organist of York Minster, was yesterday the recipient of a magnificent pair of Sheffield plate candelabra and a beautifully illuminated address, presented to him in appreciation of his valued services during the many years he has been the conductor of the York Symphony Orchestra, and as a farewell gift from members of that organisation on his departure for America, whither he goes in April to take up the position of organist of St. Thomas' Church, New York.

The presentation was gracefully performed by Miss Knocker, leading violinist of the orchestra, at a rehearsal of Mr Noble's farewell concert, at the Exhibition Buildings, yesterday afternoon, and in the presence of a large assembly of members of the orchestra and citizens.

Councillor K. E. T. WILKINSON, in an interval of the rehearsal, said he did not think Mr. Noble would be surprised if, before they bid him good-bye, they wished to give him something to show him, as far as any gift could possibly show, how much they appreciated him. However much the citizens regretted his departure, they in that orchestra had reason for regretting it, and in asking him to accept their gifts they wished him "God-speed" and success in his future life. "We have," added Mr. Wilkinson, "written down what we think of you, and I cannot do better than read it to you." He then read the terms of the illuminated address, and added: "That expresses fully what I have to say." (Applause.)

The Rev. H. A. K. HAWKINS, an old member of the orchestra, said his object in rising was to propose that Miss Knocker, as the leader of the band for so long, should make the presentation to Mr. Noble. (Applause.) He referred to the first programme produced by the orchestra, on the 5th of April, 1899, and said that on the programme they had many names of performers; at their last concert they had 74 instruments, and at the first 34. (Applause.) There were in the band to-day 13 or 14 members who played in the first concert, and he was glad to say he was one of the fourteen (Applause.) Sometimes when their hearts were full, they could not say a great deal, and he could not say more. His heart was too full. What they had said in the address he was sure they fully endorsed - (applause) - and he could only say that Mr. Noble's departure meant to him the loss of a friend. But he would not say "loss" exactly, because they could keep up their friendship although the sea lay between. (Applause.) He was glad Mr. Noble was going to a new and wide work, and hoped that he would come back to them sometimes on visits. (Applause.) He also hoped that whoever succeeded him at the Minster would be able to take part in that orchestra, and keep it up. (Applause.)

Dr. E.M. SMITH, CO-SECRETARY OF THE ORCHESTRA, SECONDED. He felt that what he was about to say ought to have been said by Mr. Herbert Hey, who had been the secretary much longer than he, and who had done a great deal more work, but he had pleasure in testifying to Mr. Noble's great services. (Applause.) The first and second concerts given by the orchestra had created a great sensation, and he did not think he had missed a concert since. It was quite impossible to single one concert out from another in order of merit; he had heard expressions of delight at them, and he was quite sure the general mass of citizens of York would regret Mr. Noble's departure as much as they did. (Applause.) They would miss his conductorship, but they hoped he would return and conduct some of his new compositions. (Applause.) Again, there was another thing, and he had not yet heard it referred to in connection with Mr. Noble's departure. He had heard expressions of delight at his performance at the Minster services. Many of those services would long live in their memories; the rendering of the voluntaries was most delightful. But he thought their note ought not to be one of regret, but of congratulation and good wishes. (Applause.). Their regret was almost beyond words to express, but they must congratulate Mr. Noble upon the new and larger sphere that was before him - a larger sphere than could be given by York, and they must wish him and Mrs. Noble and their son happiness and prosperity. (Applause.)

The illuminated address, which had been executed by Mr. W. Hewitt, of York, is a piece of excellent work. On the leather covers is the York Rose in Gold in high relief. Inscribed in its pages is the following fine tribute to the conductor: —

To Mr. T. Tertius Noble. Of all the people who have cause to regret that you are leaving York, there are none so deeply concerned as the members of the York Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra could neither have been founded nor carried on without your enthusiasm and devotion, and we who have been enabled week by week to make acquaintance with some of the best orchestral music of the world, wish to tell you before you leave us how warmly we regard you.

We wish you and Mrs. Noble and Philip success and happiness in your new career in a new world, and hope that in the midst of it you will look back sometimes with pleasure on your work among your friends in Old York, and in your own York Symphony Orchestra.

York, March 26th, 1913.

[There follows a list of the names of the orchestra's officials and subscribers].

Mr. NOBLE, in accepting the beautiful gifts, said: "Well, my dear friends, I want to say a good deal, but it is very hard to talk sometimes when we want to talk, but if you will be patient with me I will try not to be too long. First of all I cannot tell you how tremendously I appreciate these very handsome gifts. They will always be an ornament on my table on yon side, and certainly when the candles are lit my spirit will come to York. I shall always look at these with real joy and pleasure. These things will bring back such happy memories of my work amongst you. When I look back over the 16 years, and think of the Orchestra, I often wonder how it is we have gone on and on, getting better and better, and I find out that a great deal that has been the cause. Surely the members themselves must have had a great deal to do with the success of an orchestra like this. The enthusiasm of this orchestra has been a very rea1 thing and your loyalty and your splendid attendance at the rehearsals, and the good feeling which has always existed—no miserable cross words with one another, and no fighting— (laughter) —we have always been happy together, and that has had a lot to do with the success of this orchestra. I have always looked upon us as children of one family, for, after all I started my career just 15 years ago, and we have all grown up together, a very happy family, and that undoubtedly has been partly the reason of its success. Then I am not going to pick out individuals, but on such an occasion as this I should like to give an especially warm tribute to the leader of this band— (loud applause) —for ever since it started she has given her services loyally, and has attended the rehearsals in a most remarkable manner, and has done a great deal of solid work behind the scenes, which probably you know nothing about. A large number of young students, violin students, as you know, have been trained by Miss Knocker, and have now turned out trained musicians, and that has been a great work. (Applause.) I have always been so loyally and strenuously backed up by the members, past and present. What loyalty and splendid devotion we have had here! And the officers, they have all been working for one object for the good of this splendid orchestra."

Mr. Noble proceeded to refer to what York had done for him. "When I came to York," he said, "I had scarcely had a stick in my hand, and you have taught me all I know about conducting, for our great schools, alas! have not yet awakened to the fact that the conductor should have a chance when he is doing his work at his music school. I hope some day England will wake up and have classes for conducting. How are we to learn to ply the stick and to beat time if we have had no opportunity to learn? And there must be hundreds and hundreds of young men who would have become conductors had they had opportunities. I was very fortunate in coming to York, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the splendid way you have taught me to use the stick. We have worked together, and it has been a mutual society for improving ourselves. (Applause.) Well, once more I should like to thank you, not only for myself but also for my wife, for this splendid present and this very handsome little book, which we shall value very much." (Loud applause.)