Five Women’s Choirs In Festival

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30762, 28 May 1965, Page 2

Five Women’s Choirs In Festival

Christchurch women's organisations were doing a great deal to foster a love of the arts and choral music played an important role in the community life of the city, said the Mayoress (Mrs Maiming) opening the Christchurch area Townswomen’s Guilds’ choral festival last evening. Christchurch was becoming as famous for its choirs and music-making as for its parks and gardens, she said.

Singing was the highest expression of music because it came from the soul. Whether good, bad or indifferent, it was worthwhile if the singers were trying to make a “joyous noise,” Mrs Manning said. Mrs R. Allison, president of the Christchurch area Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds, welcomed Mrs Manning and Mr William Hawkey, guest conductor and critic.

Five choirs took part in the non-competitive festival, which is held annually by the area federation. The choirs were from the Christchurch Central Townswomen’s Guild, Avonhead guild, Somerfield guild, Christchurch North guild, and the Beckenham guild. During the programme an instrumental trio item was was given by Romola Griffiths, Marjory Chapman and

Mabel Mason, and a vocal duet by Robert Allison and Jack Mason. The festival ended with the massed choirs singing “Who is Sylvia?” and “God Defend New Zealand,” accompanied by Noelene Emms. The conductor was Mr William Hawkey. At the end of the programme Mr Hawkey gave comments on each choir’s work.