ABSTRACT
In the years that followed Edmund Thomas Chipp's departure, concert life was less so to the bemused participant. Some of the initiatives associated with Chipp himself–the organ recitals, the chamber concerts, the Vocal Union–prospered more than others. The Anacreontic Society found itself unable to meet the challenges of the Ulster Hall and retired from concert promotion after more than half a century of existence. The orchestral gap created by the demise of the Anacreontic Society was filled, but not until some years had elapsed, by a new concert-giving, instrumentally-based society. For the choral societies, repertoire was clear-cut, and could stand any amount of aggrandisement in forces vocal and instrumental. Where the anacreontic Society struggled, the Classical Harmonists effortlessly took control of centre stage in the new enterprise. They had the benefit of the musicianship of Chipp as their conductor, and after his departure it was not long before they enjoyed several seasons with Cellier.
