Word: pierian
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...eight founders of the Pierian Sodality of 1808 tempered their desire for "the members' mutual improvement in instrumental music" with a congenital weakness for good times during and after rehearsals. Despite these tendencies, administrative curbs, and financial troubles, the Sodality is still maintaining its tradition of music and enjoyment, celebrating its 150th birthday with a concert this Friday. In their first century and a half, the followers of the Nine Muses who dwell on Mt. Pieria have managed to found the Harvard Glee Club, the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, and the annual Concert Series...
...indecent behavior--talking in meetings without addressing the President--and too much eloquence were offenses which occasioned fines ranging from $.06 to $.25. Despite these curbs the young gentlemen managed to have a good time at every rehearsal, perhaps because they ended every meeting with wine or the mysterious Pierian Punch, still served at present meetings...
...life was not all gaiety. Broken strings, lack of necessary instruments, no permanent rehearsal room were problems that continually nagged the Sodality. Pierian pertinacity, however, eventually overcame these predicaments. Almost more important and certainly harder to solve were the Pierian's treasury and membership roster, both of which fluctuated greatly. In 1818 the treasurer reported that the treasury contained $0.00, but presumably this situation was only temporary, because soon after they agreed that "brandy is an excellent ingredient for precipating harmonious sounds...
...Complaints in 1832 about the Sodality's serenading led the University to ask the four members to resign, but Henry Gassett '34, the flute player, refused. For two years he met with himself, wrote up the minutes, played to himself, paid dues, and probably drank with himself. His Pierian spirit gradually attracted other musicians so that they were strong enough to found the Glee Club in 1834, and to play for a Porcellian Club entertainment...
...Poto's credit, he is an excellent accompanist and extremely sympathetic with a soloist. Last night's was Joel Sachs '61, this year's winner of the Pierian Sodality Concerto Contest. In its musical problems, the Fourth Concerto is one of the most difficult in the entire literature. Mr. Sachs was most successful when he did not attempt to do something unusual. His strongest asset is an exceptionally lovely and fluid tone, which was often ravishing in the closing Rondo. His passage-work, particularly in the last movement when it cleared up, sparkled, and the reading was modest, but very...