Summary:
Western choral music initially, later, instrumental music and, still later, musical performances was what the MMA has concentrated on, offering Madras the sound of Western Classical music. Associated with it from 1893 has been the Madras Musical Association, its first baton being wielded by Signor Aloysio, an Italian who directed the Church’s choir. The first Indian conductor of the MMA was to lead it for the next 36 years. In 1944, he moved to CMC Vellore for further research and also accepted the post of Director, Leprosy Campaign, Madras State. But moving beyond the Church, perhaps the earliest reference to Western music is the Garrison Band, forerunner of the later Governor’s Band (no longer what it was 50 years ago) started by Governor Thomas Rumbold in 1779..