SCHOOLS’ FESTIVAL

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31499, 13 October 1967, Page 16

SCHOOLS’ FESTIVAL

The first concert of the primary schools’ music festival was given in the Civic Theatre under Mr Keith Newson’s direction. Pupils from Burwood, Casebrook, Glenmoor, Harewood, Hornby, Linwood Intermediate, Oaklands, Opawa, and Wesbum schools formed the massed choir which sang interesting works well suited to the performers’ capabilities and did so with praiseworthy tone and splendid clarity of words. Mr Newson gave the children clear, decisive, and thoroughly helpful directions and they responded to his leadership by singing with excellent rhythmic awareness and with flowing and unforced tone, capable of being used with effective expression. “Lord of All Being” and “Joy of My Heart” made a bright beginning to the programme and were sung with rounded tone of warm quality. “The Five Bells of Osney,” the Spanish carol “A la Nanita Nana,” and George Rathbone’s canonic arrangement of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” were conducted by Mr Gordon Mathieson whose organ accompaniments to several items were as helpful to the singers as they were enjoyable to hear. The choir responded well to his direction.

“O Waly Waly’’—one of the most beautiful of folk songs —was sung charmingly and had a descant written by Mr C. L. Martin Whose pianoforte accompaniments for the choir gave excellent support throughout the evening. Schubert’s “Sailor Song” ended the first part of the programme with plenty of spirit. “The Erie Canal,” an American folk song and “Old Abram Brown,” by Benjamin Britten made interesting contrast and were sung with good understanding. Mr Paul Gregory’s song cycle, “The Coming ot the Maori” was divided into four sections—the building of the fleet, the maiden’s farewell, the canoe chant, and landfall. The music suited the children’s voices and seemed to catch their imaginations for they gave a very good performance. Mr Gregory, a teacher in one of the schools, has written the words as well as the music of this song cycle. Choral and instrumental items by individual schools bad been prepared well and, on the whole, seemed to be of better standard than in former years. They were directed by Messrs L. D. Hayward, R. W. Heepan, A. Anderson, M. G. Taylor, V. B. Ferris, H. P. Boddington, M. C. White, and Miss H. O’Grady. Miss J. Bews, Mr V. K. Gledhill, Mrs D. Toy, Mr G. R. Seatter, and Mr R.

G. Atkinson all were helpful accompanists. All the children who took part in this concert can feel that their work was very enjoyable indeed and they are to be commended for their careful attention to Mr Newson’s expert guidance. —C.F.B.