This Society having been disbanded, a committee of those interested in choral music, headed by Mr. John Gordon, met together and formed a new society on the guarantee system, and appointed Professor Ives conductor, with Mr Arthur Boult Hon. Secretary. The first concert was given on Christmas night 1882. Handel’s “Messiah” was the work selected, and the soloists were Miss Bessie Royal (soprano), Miss van Senden (contralto), Mr Robert Kennedy (tenor), Mr Walter D.Reed (bass). The organist was Mr. John Ellis; leader of the orchestra, Mr George Hall, and the conductor, Professor Ives. There was a large audience and the performance was an unqualified success.