President:
ARNOLD ROWNTREE, Esq. M.P.
Hon. Conductor:
T. TERTIUS NOBLE, Esq.
Committee:
| Mr. T. TERTIUS NOBLE. | Mr. F. G. FRYER. |
| Miss KNOCKER. | Mr. J. GROVES. |
| Mr. K. E. T. WILKINSON. | Rev. H. A. K. HAWKINS |
| Mr. J. W. COWPER | |
| Miss ARGLES, Hon. Treas. | Miss JALLAND, Hon. Sec. |
When the Orchestra was started, and gave its first concert, there were some twenty-five members, now the numbers have grown to about seventy, but the numerical advance, though so encouraging, is not alone a convincing proof of progress, and the more important question of advance in musical efficiency must always rank first in such an institution.
All who have watched the work of the Orchestra from its start will agree that the musical advance has ever been marked and steady, and thus the educational work that has been accomplished has been of the utmost value. The members meet regularly each week for practice throughout almost the whole year, and Mr. Noble devotes his time and power to the training of his forces in true musicianship, and his keen enthusiasm makes the practices a source of real pleasure to all who attend.
But, again, it is necessary to look to the educational side to discover the real worth of the work the York Symphony Orchestra is doing. Through the practices the members obtain, under Mr. Noble's guidance, a keen insight into the works of the great masters, both in old and modern music, and learn so to interpret the great masterpieces as to kindle in the imagination a keener love and desire to express something of those purest and most sublime emotions, towards which all would aspire.
Through the efforts of the York Symphony Orchestra, not only are the members benefitted, but the opportunity is provided for the hearing of such orchestral works as would never otherwise be performed in York, as, for instance, when at different times the Orchestra has given at its concerts two of Beethoven's immortal symphonies, which certainly had never been heard in York for many years if ever, and which it is the heritage of the music-loving public to know intimately. At the concerts there is threepence admission to the back of the room, bringing the hearing of such music within the reach of all.
Modern music, too, is never neglected. Mr. Edward German and Mr. Coleridge Taylor have both come to York to conduct their own compositions at different times, and they each expressed themselves as delighted with the sympathetic interpretations which their works obtained. Mr. Coleridge Taylor went so far as to say that it was without doubt the best amateur band in the kingdom.
The Committee venture to put before the public of York these records of the past, and feel confident that they will need no further argument to prove that the Symphony Orchestra is worthy of hearty and universal support, that it is doing a fine educational work in York, and that if the necessary support is forthcoming it can advance steadily and surely in artistic capability. It is by a large increase in the number of annual subscribers that the best help can be granted, as this, of course, assures a regular income to the Society, which is essential if its efficiency is to be maintained.
The advantages to subscribers are very considerable, as will be seen, and the Committee trusts they will meet the requirements of all, and will be indulged in largely.
The following arc some of the most important works performed by the Orchestra since 1898: Symphony in A and the "Eroica," Beethoven; "Jupiter" and G Minor Symphonies, Mozart; Symphony in D, Haydn; "Italian" and "Reformation" Symphonies, Mendelssohn; "Unfinished" Symphony, Schubert, etc., etc.