CHILDREN'S CONCERT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17939, 6 December 1923, Page 12

CHILDREN'S CONCERT.

IN THE CHORAL HALL. Tlio cliarm of children's concerts will never fade. This was the feeling of the luge audionce of, parents and friends who gathered at the Choral Hall last evening when the Methodist concert ia aid of the Young People's Department of New Zealand was held. The concert was organised by the local contra as part of its effort to raiso funds for the department. as « whole. All the items last evening wore given by children who had been prizo-winnera at recent competitions, bo that the quality of each item was w«ll assured. Ovar 80 children from different schools took port, and the nicely-blended programme left a feeling of pleasure) on the mind. Songs, recitations, duets, and squad work followed each other rapidly until the end. Muriel Korahaw, with a pretty littlebolo,' "Daddy's Sweetheart," . opened the programme and won a good reception. A recitation, "Greta's Ambition," by Stella Chapman, was a very pleasing item into which the audience entered with great goodwill. A character duet, "The Two DollS"> by two little girls, Joan Hughe* and Muriel Kershaw, was a most amusing aad clever flketch. Each little girl acted with ft stiff motion liko. a doll's movement of the limbß. Their singing also was vary sweet, and the audience asked for more. Jim Hicks .followed with a solo, "Orpheus and his Lute," an ambitious piece for a boy. He had a clear tone and especially fto on his high notes.' He, too, hod a recall. Hazel McLaughern, with a recitation "At the Competitions,". was very pleasing. Little Joan Hughes in a character, sketch, "The Chaplady," again won the hearts of her audi* enco. "Break o' Day," a eolo by Elsie Staples met with gereat applause. The Edgeware road school completed the first part of the programme with an action song, "xho Seasons." In the second half of the programme, the names <rf children of a larger growth figured more prominently. Mi as Simpson made herself quite at home with bar .audience in « recitation, and Mr Hoy Collins made a big hit with a Bickaua character sketch, which was taken largely from "David Copperfield." "The Key Of Canterbury" by . Myra and Vera • Pollard waa another character item which gained favour. Lilian, Kinaella sang "Nearer, My God to Thee 1 ' with a note of tenderness and charm. Miss F. Salkeld gaw a musical monologue, "In the Bain," and similarly received af»plausA. A quartette, "An Evening Pastoral," by Misses Duff and Lawry and Messrs Woodham and. Peters pleased exceedingly. A ■character duet, "Tho Keys of: Heaven" by Thelma, Joan. and Betty Thomson, an action song by. the New Brighton school, with Boy. Campbell's solo "Powder Monktey," and an action Bong by the Edgewaire School, completed a varied and interesting; programme.