Article on the growth of the Church Music Association

“The remarkable growth in one short season of the above society has created in the public mind surprise and astonishment. The Church Music Association is a private society, and, therefore, to some extent exclusive. It is supported by about one hundred gentlemen, who subscribe $100 each. In return for this they each receive a bundle of tickets, according to their subscription. These they distribute among their friends, who are citizens of wealth and influence in the city, and who, on the nights of performance, appear, to the number of some two thousand persons, attired in full evening dress.

“The first concert, in January last, in numbers and excellence of the orchestra and chorus, presented a performance of orchestral and choral music which in its execution has not been excelled by any similar undertaking for years past. It was, however, considered by many but a splurge, arising from the mere effect of novelty; that as soon as that novelty, with its usual attendant excitement, had somewhat passed off the whole affair would, if not entirely evaporate, at least subside to the ordinary level of some of our other vocal societies. On the contrary, the chorus, already composed of ladies and gentlemen moving in wealthy and influential circles of New York society, flushed, no doubt, with success, redoubled their efforts. The continued regularity of their attendance at the necessary rehearsals and the assiduity with which they prosecuted their studies under Dr. James Pech, a conductor of large experience, though somewhat exacting, acted as a stimulus upon those who were still doubting. The chorus, continually receiving fresh recruits from all parts of the city and neighborhood, appeared at a second concert in March, to the number of 250 singers, aided by an orchestra of seventy performers, at which they displayed a perfection of chorus singing in Mendelssohn’s ‘Lobgesang’ but rarely heard. The synopsis of the third concert, to take place at Steinway Hall May 18, has just been issued. It is replete with varied information upon the completions to be performed on that occasion. The orchestra and chorus will be larger than at either of the two previous concerts and everything promises well for the crowning effort of the season.

“We cannot close these remarks without complimenting the Executive Committee and their active secretary for the indomitable pluck and resolution with which they are carrying through to the end this most interesting series of concerts. To Dr. James Pech, with whom rests the musical direction, we can honestly award the highest praise. He has achieved in a few rehearsals that which is frequently the result of years and years of labor. It is to be borne in mind that but two orchestral rehearsals are allowed to each concert. With these only the orchestra under his direction has been excellent, so excellent, indeed, that we perceive by the programme that two of the overtures—the ‘Jubel’ and ‘Oberon’—performed at the previous concerts are to be repeated by general request.”