Successful Concert By Cashmere High School

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30822, 6 August 1965, Page 12

Successful Concert By Cashmere High School

All concerned in the presentation of an efficient concert at the Cashmere High School last evening are to be congratulated on its success. In all that was done there was a healthy spirit of enjoyment in something well prepared and confidently performed.

The concert began with four items by the fifth form massed choir —a very large one. Pleasant unforced tone, clear enunciation, and good intonation were all appreciated. Closer attention to natural accentuation with lightness on unstressed syllables will give more freedom in phrasing. The choir followed Mr Frank Dennis’s careful direction with praiseworthy attention. In the part-singing there was effective balance and blend. A brass band then gave good account of itself playing a varied group of items with precision, and vigorous eclat when necessary. Even in slow and sustained playing good tone, balance, and cohesive ensemble were maintained.

A clarinet quartet played a merry little arrangement of “Three Blind Mice” with cheerful insouciance, and then the band continued earning laurels for itself with its legato style, balance, and good phrasing. Mr Dennis directed with clear intention and kept rhythmic vitality all the way. The “Dam Busters” was not quite ready for performance but should go well with further study. A four-part choir sang with good tonal quality. The Weelkes madrigal would be easier and more effective at a faster tempo. A setting of Pslam 150 by Mr W. R. Hawkey was sung with spirit and bright tone. A special girls' choir, conducted by Mrs Kemp, contained some very promising voices.

The school orchestra was heard in two groups of items in the second half of the programme. The standard of playing was creditable and much progress has been made. The Handel Water Music was somewhat too difficult for some of the players but the good features of the playing, and they were many, showed what valuable training is being given orchestrally. Mary Gray was the pianist with the orchestra in

a prelude from Handel's Suite No. 3 and played with confidence and good tone. A French choir of boys, conducted by Miss Nan Anderson, sang with very pleasing tone and musicianly expression. Excellent rhythm, clarity, and vitality made their items delightful. A small choir formed from members of the staff was conducted by Mr H. Harrison and sang quietly with good balance. The concert ended with the military band playing a chorale, in which the intonation was not entirely happy; a well-sustained performance of “A Legend” conducted by Alan Napier, a member of the band; and a rousing rendition of “Coronation March” conducted by Mr Dennis. c V