PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ MUSIC FESTIVAL

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31190, 14 October 1966, Page 16

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ MUSIC FESTIVAL

School choirs from Casebrook Intermediate, Cashmere, Heaton Intermediate, Marshland, Papanui, St. Martins, Templeton, and West Lyttelton formed the large massed choir in the Civic Theatre last evening for the first concert of this season’s Primary Schools’ Music Festival.

Mr Keith Newson was the director, and he brought forth attractive and wellproduced tone from the children; a strong rhythmic movement and excellent clarity of words were also very pleasing aspects of their singing which reflected credit upon all who had assisted with preliminary training. All members of the choir gave exemplary attention to Mr Newson’s very’ helpful directions and interestingly expressive singing was heard. The programme was bright in character, with the music well within the children’s technical grasp. “The Jolly Farmer” and “On The Mountain Height” had attractively lilting melodies, and “A Polish National Dance" was exceptionally well sung. “Waiata Poi” was given plenty of snap and gusto, and

was popular with the large; audience. Schubert’s “My Flute and I” had an insouciant charm, and Bach’s “If Fortune Had Made Me The Master” and “Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring” made demands upon the singers which were met quite creditably. The concert ended with “Turn Back O Man,” arranged by: Dr. Vernon Griffiths. Mr Charles Martin was the accompanist on the piano and gave firm support to the singing. He arranged the setting of the Brahms Lullaby sung by the massed choir. Mr Gordon Mathieson accompanied -several items on the organ, and conducted the massed choirs in two nursery rhymes arranged by H. A. Chambers. Several schools gave individual choral or instrumental items, and they and their conductors and accompanists are to be congratulated on the success they achieved. It is pleasant indeed to have these festival concerts back in the Civic Theatre where a close and personal relationship between the children and the audience can be created. —C.F.B.