NOTABLE CONCERT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25179, 9 May 1947, Page 9

NOTABLE CONCERT

CHRISTCHURCH BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL •A concert given by the Christchurch Boys’ High School last evening for the Parent-Teacfaer Association succeeded bn merit which would have pleased a public audience; hut those present applauded the programme as symbolic of the interest in music enlivened by the hew post-primary school syllabus. The performanoe was ample justification tor more class time being spent. on the subject, 200 pupils taking nart, ' The boys played and sang with infectious enthusiasm, making it clear that they ace learning to enjoy all types of music. conductor, Mr Glifton Cook, achieved splendid results with such an ambitious a programme ahd credit is due for Its thoughtful arrangement, The concert opened in a happy vein with two marches by the band under Captain C. H. Hoskin, and then combined choirs sang "Glad Hearts AdVenturing” and “Waiata Poi.” A tendency to race through “Ma Curly Headed Babby” did not ease the difficulty some of the senior choir had with the setting; but the junior boys’ presentation of Mozart’s Don Giovanni minuet,.and the traditional “Brother James’ Air” brought all t’.e natural beauty of young male voices. As a tribute, the baton was handed to the deputy-conductor and accompanist, Laughton Harris, for the merry couplet, “You’ll Get There in the Morning,” and the boys responded well under one of their . number. Mr A< J. Gainsford sang Kahn’s “Ave Maria” with a violin obbligato by Mr Cook. Probably the most popular items of the evening were “Widdingcombe Fair” and “Tom the Piper’s Son” (unaccompanied), sung With free and imaginative interpretation by 12 “Sixth Form Bingers.” Brian Searell played the pianoforte solo, “Scene de Ballet” (Huster) as an interlude. Ah instrumental sextet added interest to the second part of the programme. They played the introduction to Tchaikowsky’s concerto in B flat, with Noel Searell playing competently in the piano solo; and also “The Swan by Saint-Saens, ahd “Madrigalr’ by Simonetti. The ’cellist produced a particularly beautiful tone. Music from Handel’s “Messiah? was the most ambitious of the programme, the sextet and Noel Searell accompanying. Francis Dennis sang the popular recitative, “Comfort Ye.” well, though at times a little vigorously for the mood; and David and John Tilley sang “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” with exceptional insight for junior boys. Many of the senior boys are not far past their change of voice; but they achieved firmer tone in their later numbers. “Where e’er You Walk” was done well, apart from some faulty phrasing which will be repaired as they practice breathing. The combined choirs’ singing of “Let Us I T ow Praise Famous Men” and the carol, ‘ Remember, O Thou Man,” was robust and a fitting climax. A word should be said in appreciation of the clear diction of all singers. Few words were lost in the whole programme.