Cowal Choral Club production of The Mikado 1947.

Minute of the meeting of Cowal Choral Club, held at Ardmohr,  Kirn, on Monday 28th December 1942

It was unanimously agreed that the above club should be constituted and Mrs Muir Lang was elected President, Mrs James Watt of course acting as Musical Director.  It was also agreed that Miss Jen. Drummond should be asked to continue as accompanist.  It was decided that the office of Secretary and Treasurer should be combined and Miss Leithead was elected to fill this capacity.  After some discussion it was decided that the music should now be owned by the club and Mrs Smith was asked to continue as Librarian with the assistance of Miss Wilson when necessary.

A representative from each part of the choir was elected to act on the committee along with the office bearers.  The following members were elected:-

Mrs A Watt Soprano

Mrs Moore  Contralto

Mr  Gilbertson Bass

Mr Stewart  Tenor

The question of a membership fee was discussed, but the exact amount of the fee was left to be fixed at a later date, as the charge for the hall had not been ascertained and would naturally have some bearing on this.

It was also decided that any person now desiring membership of the club would have to have an audition before the Musical Director and the ‘Committee.

The question of another concert in the spring was discussed but it was decided to leave this matter over until the next meeting which would take place after the lady members of the club had their “At Home”.

It was also thought advisable that an advertisement should be inserted in the local papers stating when the practises would be resumed and also inviting new members.

Minute of meeting of Cowal Choral Club, held at St Andrews Manse,  Kirn on 25th January 1943

It had been ascertained that the charge for the Hall for practicing would be 3/- per night and Mr Stewart proposed and Mr Thomson seconded that the membership fee should 7/6 for the first year, the question to be reconsidered at the beginning of another year.  This was agreed.  The young members of the choir at present at the University or school were to be treated as student members and should not be expected to pay any subscription.

Mr Smith proposed and Mrs J Watt seconded that an advertisement should be inserted in the local papers mentioning a few vacancies for new members. This was also agreed.

The question of a Spring concert was discussed but it was felt that this was not advisable, but that we should continue to meet for practice and the suggestion of fortnightly practices proposed by Mr Stewart and seconded by Mrs Welsh was carried unanimously.  The first practice was to be held in Kirn Parish Hall on Thursday 25th February 1943 at 7.30 pm and thereafter on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. 

The question of having honorary members was  brought up as several people had been enquiring as to this.  The fee of 10/- was proposed by Miss Beasley and seconded by Miss Sharp.  This was agreed.  This would entitle the honorary members to two concert tickets.

Secretary’s Report 1947

We started off in February with a party to Honorary members, club members and friends to celebrate our 10th birthday…..

On April 13th we sang the 1st part of ‘Elijah’ in St Andrew’s Church, Kirn.  The proceeds from this were given to Soldiers, Sailors Airforce Families’ Association. 

After this in an effort to interest the young people of the district it was decided to produce the Mikado.  This was a big undertaking and an appeal was made for guarantors.  The amount guaranteed was £210-10/-, and with donations amounting to £10, this brought the total to £22-10/-.  More than half of this sum was guaranteed by Club members.  Our production of the Mikado was an unqualified success and has been the means of members getting to know one another and developing the social side of the club, a thing greatly lacking in previous years……..

Secretary’s Report 1948

……immediately after The Mikado production we started to practice ‘Elijah’ which we sang in St. Cuthbert’s Church, Dunoon on 25th April with professional soloists and the MacArthur Quintet.  The chorus work was of an exceptionally high standard under Mrs Watt’s inspired leadership.  This was not a financial success – we did not expect it would be. We are faced with a deficit of £24.17/7d, but hope to receive some financial assistance from the National Federation of Music Societies.  Though not a success financially, we at least had the great satisfaction of having tackled a big job and of having done it well…..

In April we began practising HMS Pinafore.  We carried on until about the middle of June and after about two month’s holiday returned to work in earnest for our production in December.  Mostly all the helpers we had last year came to our assistance once more and our new producer Mrs Eadie was a delight to work with.  Trial by Jury and HMS Pinafore was a very good show and we have now got quite a reputation to live up to……..the club has a singing membership of 60 with a waiting list of sopranos and we have 30 honorary members – an increase of 3 over last year……

Secretary’s Report  1949

In March on the invitation of the Argyll County Music Committee a section of the club gave a concert at Lochgoilhead when ‘Trial by Jury’ was repeated.  …In May we sang ‘Creation’ in St Cuthbert’s Church, Dunoon.  With good soloists and some lovely singing it was unfortunate so few people turned out to hear it.  In the following month the ladies of the club gave a Sunday evening recital in St Margaret’s Church Kirn for  the Church improvement Fund.

Work was then begun on ‘Iolanthe’.  This was produced in December for three evenings and was unanimously acclaimed a splendid show.  This was the first occasion we have faced a deficit on a Gilbert and Sullivan Show. A few of the ladies of the club gave a concert of part songs at the closing meeting of St Cuthbert’s Guild in March…..

Kirn School 16th January 1951

‘Patience’ finance  -  before the rehearsal a short discussion on Patience Balance sheet took place.  Some members thought that our publicity was all wrong and could be much improved.  Tickets should be out at least 6 weeks before the show and that hospitality might be found for orchestra.  Mrs Watt proposed we have a spring concert and start rehearsing a new opera in September of spring production. Mr Bond seconded.  Mrs Sprott suggested a smaller orchestra and that each member should pay the hire of one costume if necessary.  Miss Prowse thought that Club gifts should be cut out……..

Secretary’s report for 1951

Each year as I begin to make out my report, I am surprised at the amount of work the club gets through and this year has been no exception.

In April we sang ‘The Messiah’, in Kirn St Andrew’s Church to a full congregation.

At the end of May in connection with the Festival week, we were honoured by being asked to sing with the Scottish National Orchestra in Dunoon Pavilion.  For this we repeated Stanfords ‘Songs of the Fleet.’  Mrs Watt conducted, and everyone who took part in it will I think agree it was a grand experience.  In August we joined with the choirs of the district in a broadcast from St Margaret’s Church with Mrs Watt again conducting.  Our next work was in September when some 20 members went to Innellan at Mr Ferguson’s request to give a concert for Women’s Guild funds.  This was for me at least the easiest concerts we have ever done.  Everything was perfectly arranged for us.  Our own concert in the Burgh Hall at the end of November came next, and we finished the year with ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ in the Cosy Corner.  This was, as usual, an excellent show and credit to all.  We managed to make ends meet on this production but only, I’m afraid, at the expense of the Orchestra.  Our operas would be greatly enhanced with a larger orchestra and my hope is that my successor will accomplish this.  ………….

Secretary’s Report for 1952 - 53

During the winter the Club made only one public appearance when Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise was performed in St Andrew’s Church, Kirn, on Sunday 25th January with Duncan Robertson, tenor, as principal soloist.  Subsequent to that the club has concentrated on the musical side of The Yeomen of the Guard which it is hoped to produce in November.  Mr Ian Webster of Glasgow has been appointed producer in place of Mrs Margaret Eadie.

There were 50 members of the club at the close of the session consisting of 21 sopranos, 11 altos, 7 tenors and 11 bass.  Unfortunately all these members will not be available for The Yeomen of the Guard.  During the year our accompanist Mr Colin Gilmour resigned.  It may be of interest that, apart from the Conductor, there was only one member with 100% attendance at the 31 practices – Miss Sutherland.  Mr Agnew came next with 30 appearances……

Secretary’s Report 1953 - 54

During the past sessin the club produced ‘the yeomen of the guard’ in the Cosy Corner for three evenings in November and gave a concert consisisting chiefly of musical excepts from Gounod’s Faust in the Burgh Hall in April.  The ladies of the club also provided an evening’s enjoyment t othe membess of St Cuthbert’s Church Women’s Guild.  While the Yeomen of th Guard was greatly enjoyed, it was , unfortunately financially a failure, the deficit being due chiefly to the cost of the orchestra.  Fortunately hwoever, oru list of honorary members was substantially increased otherwise the loss would have been fel =t mnore severely.  A small committee under the convernership of Miss b Johnstone, ran a very successful whist dirve in order to augment the funds of the club.

At the close of the session there were some 45 active members of the club, consisting of 18 sopranos, 9 altos, 7 tenors, and 11 bass. The number vary somewhat, especially in the bass section, depending on whether an opera or choral workis being performed.  ……..

Secretary’s report 1954 - 55

The major portion of last session was taken up with practising and rehearsing for ‘the Mikado’, which was produced on three evening at the end of February.  While the production itself was excellent, the attendance of the public was most disappointing.  Admittedly we could scarcely have chosen a colder week for a show in the Cosy Corner and this no doubt had a marked affect on the attendances, a the same time of our aims to play to full houses thereby assuring the financial success of the production. I think we should seriously consider whether saturation point has not now been reached where Gilbert and Sullivan is concerned.  While there was a deficit on the show of almost £100 our honorary membership was increased to 216 with the result that the funds of the club still showed a credit balance at the end of the year, albeit depleted.

Also during the winter a concert was given in the Burgh Hall for the funds of the Red Cross and early in May the Pilgrims were entertained at the Conference in the Royal Hotel, Innellan………..

At the close of the session, there were some 53 active members of the club, consisting of 22 sopranos, 11 altos, 10 tenors, and 10 bass, an increase of 7 on last year.

Secretary’s Report 1955 - 56

 Our club has just completed what, I think, we may safely claim to been a successful season  We have had, of course, successful seasons in the past but on this occasion we have the additional and not altogether unimportant satisfaction that financially we are much more stable than we have been for the past three years.  Apart from the financial aspect of the club, the success of The Gondoliers, which was produced in May in the Cosy corner, has not only given us a psychological fillip but has also, I dare to suggest, raised the prestige of the club in the eyes of the public.  Apart from the Gondoliers, a successful performance of Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast was given in December last to the Cowal Music Club…..….

Secretary’s Report 1956 - 57

The session was overshadowed by the passing of our beloved president Mr Lang, and it was fitting that we should have been in a position to perform Part 1 of Mendelssohn’s Elijah in February as a tribute to his memory.

In default of a production the Committee decided to entertain our Honorary Members and a social evening was held in St Andrew’s Hall, Kirn in 25th March ……..at the close of the session the Club consisted of 53 more or less active members – 26 sopranos, 13 altos 6 tenors and 8 bass – in total 3 less than last year……

If the production of Merrie England is to go on, as we hope it will, an effort will have to be made to increase the membership in the male sections and members aware of any suitable gentlemen should bring pressure to bear during the summer so that we may rope them in when practices resume.  By September we hope that the haze which surrounds the new Pavilion will have lift a little and that we will be able to see more clearly what are the prospects of its being available for a show before the close of next session.

Secretary’s Report 1957 - 58

……….The honour which fell to the Club in producing on 29, 3 and 31 May the first stage show in the new  Pavilion, the comic opera  ‘Merrie England’.  The show had been most successful, the only regret being that he conductor had been unable to conduct owing to illness…….

Secretary’s report 1958 - 59

Again the club had rather an extended season with the production of the Quaker Girl on 14th 15th and 16th May.  As the first practice was on 22nd September, it meant in effect a session if 8 months.  In the early part of the year the club practised the first part of ‘The Messiah’ and performed the oratorio in St Cuthbert’s Church on 25th January with soloists selected form the personnel of the club and Colin Gilmour at the organ.  Later we concentrated on the musical play, The Quaker Girl, which was a complete departure from our usual type of production. However we again scored a resounding success and while some may have felt that we were lowering our standards, the great majority thoroughly enjoyed the production.  It is interesting to note that while 2,150 saw Merrie England, 2,152 saw The Quaker Girl.  In view of the fact that possibly fewer holidaymakers would be here in the early part of May and also that the Queen’s Hall was now long longer a novelty we must consider the result quite satisfactory, although as usual we cannot say that from the financial side as once more we were in the ‘red’, this time to the tune of £85.  The tremendous outlay in respect of costumes and orchestra is chiefly responsible for the high cost of production but I am happy to say that our honorary members subscriptions are again instrumental in giving a general credit balance in the funds.

We had 61 active members of the close of the year although a few of these came to help us out with the production.  There were 29 sopranos, 13 contraltos, 10 tenors and 9 bass, and as usual the dearth of men was continually a problem.  Bob Hunter was with us once more and as usual gave the show a considerable boost and we had to welcome a newcomer in the person of bill Anderson who took the part which normally would have been taken by Bill Ponton……..

Secretary’s Report 1959 - 60

During the session the club only managed to practice and produce the Gilbert and Sullivan opera Ruddigore which was performed with great success, at least as far as the actual production was concerned……

As anticipated however, it was not, what one might term, a box office production and the numbers attending (1,697) was almost 500 less than at our two previous shows.  Fortunately reduced outlay offset to some degree the drop in income and as the Treasurer will tell you later the deficit is not so alarming as at one time seemed probable. ……….

Although during the year  some 54 paid active members subscriptions only 39 took part in the production.  Of the 15 of a balance 5 left during the year …..