Excellence Of Choir At Schools’ Music Festival

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28661, 11 August 1958, Page 7

Excellence Of Choir At Schools’ Music Festival

For the final concert of this year’s Primary Schbols - Festival, children from Aranui, Elmwood Normal, Ham, New Brighton D.H.S., Spreydon, Thorrington. and Wairakei schools were assembled for the massed choir. These children are to be congratulated, along with the hundreds of others who have sung, on the bright success of the concerts. , Once again, eagerness to do well, disciplined control in following Mr Keith Newson’s direction, production of good tone, preserving balance in two-part work, excellent clarity of words, grading of expression, and a most pleasant vitality in presentation were the hall marks of the singing. Although the massed choirs have been drawn only from Standards 3 and 4 there has been nothing needing apology in the performances. In fact, there are qualities which mark a decided improvement in the general standard of work this year. There has. for instance, been a more standard of performance This, among other things, would suggest a greater unanimity of aim among the trainers and a careful following of a common method. It shows cohesion within the ranks of the association itself There has been a marked improvement in the quality of tone and it has been maintained in all the concerts. Considerable improvement in the standard of performance of most of the individual choirs and instrumental groups has been noted. There has not been nearly so much flat singing and the recorder playing has shown more confidence and accuracy, although there is still a widespread tendency to overblow the instruments. _ When choirs have flattened, the

principal contributing factor has been the position of the piano in relation to the voices. Putting the instrument more towards the middle of the smaller choirs would give every child a chance to hear it and to receive necessary support. The standard of accompaniment for the smaller groups has improved generally. The advance in standard of the orchestral playing is as pleasing as it is important. The violins, in particular, play with a tone and precision which commands •admiration. The brass section plays with control and keeps good balance. Many of the woodwind players are making, noteworthy progress, in some instances remarkably so. For all this the greatest credit must be given to Mr R. E. Perks. All this desire for improvement, and achieving it, augurs well not only for the future of these particular concerts, but also for the future of music-making in the city. The music chosen for the massed singing has been attractive and pleasantly contrasted. It has all been interesting and worthwhile It has extended the children without being beyond their understanding or capability. The testing and melodious descant to “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” written by Charles Martin, was sung with marked efficiency. “Will You Walk a Little Faster,” by R. H. Macdonald. gave the children good opportunity to master the descending major scale. , and R. McLeod’s “March of the Elves” gave a pleasing contrast in tonality as well as being a good song. The two-part nursery rhymes, arranged by H. A. Chambers, were always favourites with the audiences, and “The Street Musician,” by Alec Rowley, with its descant for recorders, was quite difficult to perform and was always done well. Mr Mathieson's playing of the accompaniments on both the organ and piano have been of the greatest assistance to the children and have been thoroughly musical performances in every respect Mr Newson, the indefatigable musical director of the festival, left yesterday for the United States on a Fulbright bursary He will take with him memories of a most successful festival, a knowledge that all who have been associated with him have done their best to ensure that success and also the good wishes of all. both performers and listeners, who have so greatly enjoyed what he has given us in the last week. —C.F.B.