Conference on proposed merger of three choral societies

Event Information

Venue(s):
Residence of George Templeton Strong

Event Type:
Choral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
14 September 2025

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

17 Jul 1870
09 Sep 1870, 8:00 PM
07 Oct 1870

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
LIST OF PERFORMER(S)/ORGANIZATION(S)
Participants:  New York Harmonic Society;  Mendelssohn Union;  Church Music Association

Citations

1)
: Strong, George Templeton. New-York Historical Society. The Diaries of George Templeton Strong, 1863-1869: Musical Excerpts from the MSs, transcribed by Mary Simonson. ed. by Christopher Bruhn., 17 July 1870.

“Pech at tea. He says Spencer W. Coe & Charles C. Dodge want to merge the ‘Harmonic Society’ and the ‘Mendelssohn’ in the C. M. A.—thus establishing one strong choral organization in the city. The Harmonic Society & Mendelssohn Union long have been debilitated & impecunious. It would be a good move, but Dr. Pech is a little apt to take things for granted.” 

2)
: Strong, George Templeton. New-York Historical Society. The Diaries of George Templeton Strong, 1863-1869: Musical Excerpts from the MSs, transcribed by Mary Simonson. ed. by Christopher Bruhn., 09 September 1870.

“An informal conference here from 8 to half past ten—anent the proposed triple alliance of the C. M. A.—the Mendelssohn Union & the Harmonic Society. There were Charles G. Dodge, (General Dodge)--a brother of William E. Dodge, Jr., & a strongly marked case of the suave pleasant manner of his family—Todd—Pond of & Brinckerhoff of the Mendelssohn Union—Burns & Spencer W. Coe of the Harmonic Society. Palaver protracted & certain propositions adopted that are to be submitted to the two societies--& also to our executive committee. I am not quite sure that I fully approve them all.”

3)
: Strong, George Templeton. New-York Historical Society. The Diaries of George Templeton Strong, 1863-1869: Musical Excerpts from the MSs, transcribed by Mary Simonson. ed. by Christopher Bruhn., 07 October 1870.

"This evening Charles C. Dodge here, Todd, Bronner, Brinckerhoff, Pond, & Coe, in farther council over the proposed coalition of the three choral societies. The plan may work. Asked Dodge to join the committee of the C. M. A. & he agreed to do so." 

4)
: Strong, George Templeton. New-York Historical Society. The Diaries of George Templeton Strong, 1863-1869: Musical Excerpts from the MSs, transcribed by Mary Simonson. ed. by Christopher Bruhn., 08 October 1870.

Dodge retracts his consent to be added into the C. M. A. committee, for reasons not without weight, connected with the proposed coalition.