PROVINCIAL CHOIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 243, 26 July 1947, Page 4

PROVINCIAL CHOIRS

Civic Music Festival DISTRICT GROUPS PERFORM Music by choirs from provincial towns was the feature of the concert in the festival arranged by the Christchurch Civic Music Council, held in the Civic Theatre last night. The Ashburton Christian Youth Cli(jir_ and the Methven Choral Society represented the Ashburton County.

A Christchurch report states: — “The Ashburton Christian Youth Choir, conducted by Mr C. E. Hopwood, is a large group of young people who sing with intelligence. They attend carefully to attack, release and expression. They should try for a more rounded tone in loud passages; their soft tone is most pleasing. It is to be hoped that they will sing better music when they appeat again. “The Viking Song,” by Coleridge Taylor, and the “Heavens Are Telling,” by Haydn, were fine. In the last they should have a faster tempo in the second part of the work, where the main theme returns, if the brilliance of it is to be fully realised. ‘The first item was entitled “Gloria in Excelsis,” and the composer was listed as Mozart. This comes from the so-called “Twelfth Mass.” However, it is now considered that this work is not by Mozart, and its paternity is shrouded in mystery. “All in the April Evening,” by Hugh Roberton, plumbs a new nadir in sanctimonious nonsense.” • \

“The Methven Choral Society, conducted by Mr G. ,P- Lock, again charmed us as they did last year. They are a beautifully balanced group of singers who produce their tone easily and with s.kill. Their . attention to rhythm, phrasijig, light and shade, and enunciation is most commendable. Their programme consisted of extracts from Edward German’s delightful light opera, “Merrie England.” Mr W. P. Isherwood has a fine, resonant voice with just a slight tendency to blanket his production of some vowels in a high register by producing them too far back. Mrs L. L. Richards has a really beautiful voice under excellent control. She sang “O Peaceful England” in a most moving way.” On the way to Christchurch to take part in the festival, Mr Hopwood was presented by the Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst) with a baton as a token of esteem from male members of the choir. At the conclusion of the festival the choirs were entertained in the Mayfair lounge. Among those present were Mr J. L. Hay, chairman of the Council, and Mr E. H. Andrews, Mayor of Christchurch. On behalf of town and country choirs which took Dart in the festival, Mr Bathurst expressed thanks for the hospitality accorded to them.