POPULAR CIVIC MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 170, 20 July 1936, Page 11

POPULAR CIVIC MUSIC.

There was an appreciative audience of about 500 people at the Town Hall last night to hear the fifth winter recital of the Auckland Municipal Band, preceded by an organ recital by the hon. city organist, Mr. E. S. Craston, Mus. Bac. The restful lighting effect, by which no direct light reaches the eyes of the audience save the glow from the electric radiators, is greatly appreciated by music lovers, and it is found that the attention is not distracted from the music by movements in other parts of the hall. A wellbalanced programme was rendered, with the popular soloists Miss Reta MacCullay, vocalist, and Mr. F. Bowes, corne'tist, as highlights. Miss MacCullay's first song proved so pleasing that this popular vocalist was recalled a third time. The Municipal Band, under the baton of Mr. T. J. O'Connor, was at its best, although opinions might be divided as to whether it indicated with complete success the rising moon and the fairy gambols of the "Moonfay" suite. The last movement of this, however, was taken at a magnificent tempo, and one forgave the heaviness of the earlier movements, remembering that it is in the nature of bands to make a good deal of sound. The two "little pieces" of Jarnefelt and Ravina were neatly done, and hearty applause greeted the later items, which included the ever-popular "Yeomen of the Guard" selection. There was a topically appropriate and happy note in 3lr. Craston's choice for his concluding number, "Long Live the King," by Handel.