ANNUAL SCHOOL CONCERT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26187, 10 August 1950, Page 3

ANNUAL SCHOOL CONCERT

TECHNICAL COLLEGE ‘ PUPILS The Christchurch Technical College gave its annual concert in the Civic Theatre last evening. There has been a considerable advance since the pupils’ performance a year ago. The many musical activities of the college were all represented on last evening’s programme. The Civic Theatre never has to accommodate so large a group of young musicians on other occasions, and lack of space adds greatly to the difficulties encountered in presenting such a concert. The difficulties were surmounted, and the team work of all concerned was efficient, although there were some anxious moments. School music in this country has advanced a long way from the trial-and-error stage of years ago. There is ample evidence of what can be done, and what standards can be expected. Thousands who nave now left school could testify to the value of a comprehensive scheme of music in schools and to the great and lasting benefit they have gamed by taking part in it. .The standards which a school can reach are remarkably high. It has been interesting to watch the development of the work in the Christchurch Technical College over the last few years. Although much remains to be done before the pupils reach the standards of tone, intonation and rhythmic freedom shown in schools which have been doing this work for a longer time, nevertheless Mr Perks and the scholars deserve great credit for last night’s performance, and for the advances made during the last year. They deserve the thanks of those who will come to the college in the future, who will benefit by the experience of those whose hard work has carried the college music-making through its early difficulties, and who will carry on to further glories, to their and the community's great benefit.

There is always the danger, in such work, that enthusiasm and impatience will force the pace and the vital principles of technique will suffer. Confidence is lost if works performed make unreasonable demands on an evolving technique; and if this occurs, the realisation of what is implied by the word “standards”—the most valuable part of the whole thing for growing minds—will not be fully achieved. While the Light Cavalry Overture, played last evening by the massed orchestra, had many excellent moments, there were others when a rough ride was had by all. In contrast to this, the precision shown in Woodhouse’s “Processional March” was satisfying and of far greater value in the long run. The Senior Girls’ Choir sang efficiently in “O Mistress Mine” by Moule-Evans, and “Dance to Your Daddy” arranged bjr Roberton. The words were clear, the choir was balanced, a nice tempo was chosen, the, phrasing was careful, and the tone pleasant The Senior Boys’ Choir had carefully prepared “Chorus Gentlemen” l|v Herman Lohr. One could wish ffiat their efforts had been directed towards more worthwhile music. The Senior Choral Society promises well, but in “Bonnie Wee Thing” the tempo was too slow and the rhythmic flow broken up. The bas? part in “Daly’s Shanty” made too great demands cn the adolescent voices, whose safe range is necessarily limited. The Massed Choir sang really well and the balance, tone, rhythm and expression were all of a high standard. This work is one of the best tests of the success of a school music-making scheme, and the test was successfully surmounted. They sang the “Bay of Biscay” with restrained tone from the basses and accurate filigree work from the girls. “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men” and the “Psalm of the Seafarers,’ bv Dr. Galway, were delightfully performed, and the organ accompaniments. played by Dr. Griffiths, added greatly to the richness, of the works. A small orchestra accompanied “The Soldiers’ Chorus,” and the orchestra and organ accompanied “Children of Everyman,” by Dr. Griffiths. In the last, the accompaniment could not help being weighted against the singers, but it is greatly to their credit that they came through the massive accompaniment by skilfully produced tone instead of brute force, and a fine effect was obtained.

Jean Bramley, a young clarinettist, played Massanet’s “Elegie,” and showed a nice sense of phrasing and shading of tone. She will be a useful addition to the ranks of orchestral players. The Brass Band, conducted by Mr A. M. Hatch, gave a great account of itself. Its work was precise and stirring. The band played with vigour, but kept good quality of tone. The second part of its first number was more effective than the opening. Mr Hatch and Misses Logan and McArthur were the accompanists.

The Symphony Orchestra played Serbian Dance, by Sistek, and Aria in E. by Handel. The orchestra has improved greatly, and is doing a valuable work. It is to be hoped that the orchestra will do a lot of music which will enable it to advance the players’ technique in “tone, time, and tune.” There are hurdles ahead of such a group, which, when safely surmounted, will carry the players to pleasant fields of work. They can surmount them, for they promise well. They will not-'ad-vance if they rush their fences. Mr Robert Perks, the college’s director of music, had a very difficult task last evening, and conducted his forces most admirably. The preparation for such a concert is exacting, and great credit must be given to him and to his assistants, who have trained their pupils so carefully. The concert will be repeated this evening.