Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
HTML Transcription
© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
This was not noticed by Ann Harrison although the 1896 Choral Union does get a mention
M.N.H.L. Isle of Man Newspapers
...
The first notice of this society is in December 1834 when possibly their first such concert was reviewed by the Manx Sun, 26th December 1834;
CONCERT.—The concert of Sacred Music, by the Douglas Choral Society, which was held in Thomas-street, yesterday, was attended to overflowing, about 500 persons being present — a proof that the love of the delightful science of music is rapidly progressing in this town. The object being a charitable one, Mr. Damor and Mr. Wood kindly consented to give their aid, and it is needless to say how effective that aid was from their well known talent. Mr. Damor presided at the piano forte, and accompanied himself in "David's Lament for Absolam,'' by Neukomm, and Handel's celebrated airs of "Comfort ye my people," "Every Valley shall be exalted" and "I know that my Redeemer liveth," which were sung in Mr. D.'s best style, and were received with thunders of applause. As all these airs were given with such admirable effect, it is almost impossible to say which was most admired, but to our own taste, "Comfort ye my people" and "Every Valley" was the masterpiece, — they were exquisitely sung, and stamp Mr. Damor as a singer of first-rate talent.
To Mr. Wood, as leader, great merit is due for the style in which the band performed the overtures, especially that by Beethoven, which was tastefully played, and highly delighted several musical gentlemen by whom we were surrounded. Mr. W. also accompanied the airs, on the double bass, with much judgment. — To Mr. John Cretney, as conductor, with whom the Concert originated, the town must feel indebted for the rich treat which was yesterday afforded it, and of which so many availed themselves. Mr. C.'s exertions to produce the choruses must have been great, and the satisfactory manner in which they were sung reflect credit upon him — indeed, the Grand Hallelujah chorus from Handel's Messiah was splendidly sung. To Mr. Black, too, from Mr. Weiss's, Liverpool, the concert was indebted for the kindness with which he offered, gratuitously, and the time which he devoted in putting the piano forte in the very fine tune in which it was.
It will be seen from an advertisement in this days paper that the performance will be repeated on Tuesday evening for the benefit of the Poor House, that which was given yesterday being for an excellent charity conducted principally by the Wesleyan Methodists, for the relief of the sick poor, of all denominations.
The second concert mentioned above was also advertised in the Mona's Herald of 26th December1834
CONCERT. — BY DESIRE.
A Selection of SACRED MUSIC will be Performed in the School Room, Thomas Street, on TUESDAY, December 30, 1834, by the Douglas Choral Society, in Aid of the Funds of the POOR HOUSE. Mr. D'AMOR will preside at the Piano Forte, Mr. G. WOOD will lead. Tickets may be had of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Quiggin, the Herald Office, Mr. G. H. Wood, and of Mr. Cretney, King Street. Front Seats, 2s., Back Seats. 1s. The Performance will commence at 7 o'clock in the Evening. Programmes will be issued in due time.
Another concert soon followed - Manx Sun, 13th February 1835 - this time in Castletown::
CONCERT. — The concert of sacred music, by the Douglas Choral Society, asissted by Messrs. Damor and Wood, held in the George Inn, Castletown, on Tuesday last, for the benefit of the public charities, and which was honoured by the patronage and attendance of his Excellency the Governor and Miss Ready, was crowded to overflowing. The performance gave much satisfaction, and so pleased was his Excellency, that he notified it officially through the Chief Magistrate. Mr. Damor, as usual, sang his airs with much taste and feeling, and received the warmest plaudits. Handel's song of "Holy, holy Lord," was delightfull y executed by him, as was also the recitative of "Deeper aad deeper still.'' The inhabitants of this Island must feel themselves much indebted to Mr. Damor for the very kind manner in which he consented to give his professional assistance in tne late concerts for the benefit of the poor, and the rich treat thus afforded of hearing at their own doors, the sublimest sacred compositions, executed with all the talent displayed at the most costly musical festivals at the other side of the water.
To Mr. Wood too, they are indebted for his equally kind manner in consenting to give his valuable assistance in leading, and for his fine performance on the violin. The choruses were well sustained by the Society, especially the Grand Hallelujah one by Handel, which was admirably performed though so difficult. Mr. Cretney, as usual, sang well, especially his bass song of "He layeth the beams," and to him much credit is due for the labour which he bestowed in rendering the performance so effective. We have only one regret to make, which is that the room was not half large enough, as numbers of the most respectable inhabitants were obliged to return home for want of accommodation. Mr. Kneen, the landlord, was unremitting in his attention to please, and the room was well lighted. The proceeds, we understand, amount to above £20,
It would appear that the Douglas Choral Society name was in 1840 re-used for a larger and potentially better trained choir as reported in the Manx Sun of 11th December 1840:
DOUGLAS CHORAL SOCIETY . — We have great pleasure in informing our readers, that a Choral Society, for the practice of Sacred Music, has been established in Douglas under most favourable auspices, numbering amongst its patrons His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, the Lord Bishop, the Deemsters, Clergy, and several of the influential gentry ; and when we state that the Society has procured the services of Messrs. Webb and Davies, the former as Conductor, and the latter as Director of the Choruses ; and that the Amateurs of Douglas, both vocal and instrumental, have unanimously come forward to render their assistance , we need not enlarge upon its of capabilities effecting a great improvement in the knowledge of Sacred Music ; and under such auspices, we venture to predict that the Oratorios of Handel, Hadyn, which as yet are "strange as an untold tale" to the ears of a Manx public, will ere long be welcomed to old friends, and performed in a superior manner; indeed, though as yet the meetings have been strictly private, we hear that great progress has been made, and that even now, several most difficult pieces of Handel are sung with great precision.
The Society, however, does not intend to confine its efforts exclusively to the sublime works of the great Masters, but also purposes to devote a considerable portion of its time, to the less exalted but more useful practice of congregational psalmody; and as almost all the members of the different choirs in Douglas and the neighbourhood, have already enrolled themselves as members we trust that ere long there will be in every Church within our Isle, that great essential, so rarely to be met with, an efficient Choir. By reference to an advertisement in our advertising columns, our readers will see, that the first practice night is fixed for Monday evening next, when we anticipate a great treat is in store for the subscribers. Space forbids us, or we could dilate more at length on the advantages to be derived from an Institution like the present; and we do trust, that all lovers of music within our Isle, (which has of late years made great strides in this science, as the mere formation of this Society sufficiently evinces), will at once come forward, and lend their aid to the Douglas Choral Society, which is so calculated to reflect credit on the Island in general, and to create a moral improvement in all those subjected to its influence; for who, possessing even a latent spark of music in his soul, can listen to the divine strains of Handel unmoved ? or who can acquire a taste for his glorious productions, without feeling himself a wiser and a better man ? — Correspondent.
The advertisement referred to
THE Members of the DOUGLAS CHORAL SOCIETY are Respectfully informed, that the first Practice Night will take place at the INFANT SCHOOL ROOM , in Barrack-street, on next MONDAY EVENING , the 14th inst., at half-past 7 o'Clock. Persons desirous of becoming Members of this Society, are requested to send in their Names to any Member of the Committee, who will propose them at the ensuing Weekly Meeting. The terms of Subscription are 2s. 6d. Entrance , and 3s. per Quarter, paid in advance, — which will entitle a Member to a Family Ticket admitting three to each Monthly Concert. Members are requested , to call at Mr. DILLON'S , North Quay for their Tickets.
N.B. — The Society propose giving a Public Concert during the present month due notice of which will be given in a future advertisement.
NAMES OF COMMITTEE. Mr. G. H. WOOD. Mr. RIDGWAY HARRISON. Mr. BLUETT. Mr. REEVES. Mr. BYNE. Mr. FORRESTER, Mr. SPENCER. Mr. C. PEARSON. Mr. GALLIARD. Mr. T. C. CALLOW . Mr. LANDOR. Douglas.
Mona's Herald, Tuesday, 1st June 1841;
In our last we called the attention of our readers to the Concert of the Douglas Choral Society, to be held in the Wellington Rooms this evening. We have every reason to believe, from the high character already acquired by the society, the judicious selection of pieces and the performers on this occasion, that the Concert will be more than usually interesting; and bearing in mind that the object of the present performance is to procure a new piano, we trust the Concert will be liberally patronized.
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
||