New England Conservatory of Music - Neume Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 15 text:

tuba. I suppose a bribe of a bouquet of flowers every morning, some chocolate caramels, or something of the kind might bring it about. But it was without the assistance of flowers and chocolate caramels that Chadwick ' s orchestra of strings and occasional instruments was transformed into a full symphonic orchestra. Since the day of its first concert, March 7, 1902, it has advanced in rapid strides toward pro- fessional excellence and now under Dr. Goodrich we all know the splendid work it is carrying on. In 1898, the Conservatory chorus was organized by the Director. After considerable rehearsing of chorus, orchestra, and organ, Rossini ' s Stabat Mater was presented. Now the Chorus is a body of 125 students representing every depart- ment of the school and meets twice each week throughout the year. During the 75th Anniversary Week this group took a major part in the celebration, appearing as a cappella choir in four numbers written by prize winning N.E.C. students in composition, took part in the Commemorative Convocation with Beethoven ' s The Worship of God in Nature with brass and organ accompaniment and later sang Daniel ' s Exultate Deo with the full orchestra. This year 1942 marked the orchestra ' s fortieth birthday and most significant of all the Conservatory ' s seventy-fifth. February 16-20 was observed as anniversary week. The first event presented by the honorary society of Pi Kappa Lambda introduced a concert consisting solely of works which have been awarded the Philip R. Allen prizes in composition. Its very success should set it as a traditional annual concert of the society. The following night came another affair which all students would crave as a tradition, a formal dance given by the president and board of trustees. The third event was the familiar Parents ' Night Pops Concert by the Kappa Gamma Psi and Sigma Alpha Iota societies. February 19, the actual date that the Conservatory opened its doors seventy- five years ago, brought the peak of events. In the afternoon commemorative exercises took place with distinguished speakers and music by the chorus and Boston String Quartet, and in the evening, the orchestra concert with Jesus Sanroma and Cleora Wood as soloists. Open house and advanced students ' concert ended the festivities. What vicissitudes lie in store for the Conservatory in this critical time of world disorder, it is difficult to predict, but whatever may be the course of its future history, the Con- servatory will remain steadfast in conserving the art of music. As we, the graduating class of 1942, leave our school we bid not Hail and farewell. Alma Mater, but with heart-felt concern for her future we salute her Hail — now and forever.