A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Vocal Association

by Charles Mackeson

VOCAL ASSOCIATION. Established in 1856 at a meeting at Store Street Music Hall, attended by about 300 amateurs, with the view of founding in England an association answering to the German 'Gesang-verein.' Many of the original members had sung at the concerts given shortly before by Mme. Goldschmidt at Exeter Hall, under the direction of Sir Julius (then Mr.) Benedict, and he was unanimously elected conductor of the new association, Mr. William Lockyer being elected secretary, and Mr. J. Rix treasurer. Mr. Chas. E. Horsley subsequently shared the duties of conductor. In 1857 the Society gave a series of concerts at the Crystal Palace, including Mendelssohn's 'First Walpurgis Night,' and it subsequently gave performances at St. James's Hall, at one of which the conductor's opera, 'The Lily of Killarney,' was sung. The concerts included vocal and instrumental solos, and occasionally there was an orchestra, the choir usually numbering 200 voices. Among the works given by the Association for the first time were Spohr's 'Ode to St. Cecilia,' and Challoner Master's operetta, 'The Rose of Salency.' The Association has ceased to exist for some years.

[ C. M. ]