SYDNEY VISITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 12

SYDNEY VISITORS.

MUSICAL RECEPTION.

MR. AND MRS. ROLAND FOSTER,

At a reception arranged by the New Zealand contralto. Miss Jean Macfarlane, yesterday, the guests of honour were Mr. Roland Foster, professor of singing at the New South Wales Conservatorinm, and Mrs. Foster, were before her recent marriage was Miss Thelma Houston, well-known mezzocontralto of Sydney and Melbourne. Many former pupils of Mr. Foster and others interested in -music were present, and the function was held in the board room of the Farmers' Trading Company. Miss Macfarlane. in extending a welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Foster, spoke of the musical activities of Mr. Foster in Australia, and said that his visit to Auckland caused much pleasure to all music-loving people. After expressing thanks on behalf of his wife and himself, Mr. Foster said it was unfortunate that musical affairs were so disorganised by the war. As a result the activities of many artists were suspended for the time being.

After tea had been served, an enjoyable programme was presented. It included songs by Madame Klsa Stralia, Madame Beatrice Elliot. Miss .Tean Macfarlane. Mr. F. H. Hol>day, Mrs. J. Dickson, Miss Mavis Seed. Miss Doris Foote. Miss Jacqueline Page and Mr. W. Macfarlane. The accompanists were Mrs. Phyllis Bloy, Miss Pearl Wallace and Miss E. E. Campbell.