A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Melodists' Club, The

by Charles Mackeson

MELODISTS' CLUB, THE. A society at one time of much promise, founded in 1825, by admirers of Charles Dibdin, 'for the promotion of ballad composition and melody.' In 1827 and 28 a library was formed, and prizes offered for songs; and the prize songs were afterwards published in a volume. In 1833 two prizes of 10 guineas were offered for songs in the style of Arne, Shield, or Dibdin, and gained by Blewitt and Hobbs. In 1837 prizes of 5 guineas for words and 10 guineas for music of a song; which were gained by Wilson and Hobbs for the song 'Send round the wine.' The object of the Club is well described in the following words of Sir H. Bishop in presenting some music to the Library in 1840: 'It is from my perfect oonviction that good and appropriate melody is the chief attribute of excellence in music of every style, from the simple ballad to the most elaborate composition, that I hail the establishment of the Melodists' Club, from its patronage of native genius, and its encouragement of melody, as essentially calculated to aid the cause of the musical art in this country.' The entrance to the Club was 5 guineas, and the annual subscription 8 guineas. Many noblemen and gentlemen supported it, and its professional members embraced Sir George Smart, Braham, Balfe, T. Cooke, Hawes, Sterndale Bennett, and other eminent English musicians. Among the artists who took part in the music in its earlier day were J. B. Cramer, Moscheles, Hummel, Field, Benedict, Lipinski, and many more players of the highest distinction. Mr. T. Cooke was musical director, and Mr. John Parry hon. secretary.

[ C. M. ]