Enjoyable Concert By Massed School Choirs

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 14

Enjoyable Concert By Massed School Choirs

A group of children, younger than those at Thursday's concert, and drawn mainly from Standards three and four, formed the massed choir of more than 400 for last evening's festival concert in the Civic Theatre. Their standard of performance was high; their voices, although light, were very pleasant and they had learned their work so well that they were able to sing with confident aplomb. Their words were splendidly clear and they sang with rhythmic vigour.

Mr Keith Newson directs the large choir in a way that not only helps tho chlldren oyer any tecnntcal problems that they encounter, but also inspires them to sing with such relaxation that they can enjoy what they are doing, and this enjoyment is certainly ' communicated to the audience. Mr Mathleson, who conducted three items, “Pigeons” by Rathbone, "The Five Bells of Ogney,” and the traditional song "A-Rovlng,” also had the children’s confidence and inspired them to give spirited performances. A few of the massed items were different from those sung by the more senior children. “Shearing Time,” a Welsh folk-dance tune is a very good song tor an occasion such as this, and was sung with eclat The children's disciplined attention to the requirements of the two conductors deserves special praise and earned its reward to performances marked - by precision and strong cohesion. There has been a distinct improvement in the work of the choirs from individual schools to the important matter of singing IB tone. The children seem to listen more acutely than some of them formerly did. Choice of music Is usually more sensible now, and the standard of accompaniments has definitely improved. Both of these things

have an important influence on intonation.

The foliowing schools performed individual items, either choral or instrumental: Richmond (Mr R. N. Kent); St Albans (Mr J, P. Kennedy); Quinns Road (Mr G. Thorpe); Addington (Mr J. B. O’Hara); Rlccarton (Miss H. Moulder); West Spreydon (Mrs F. N. Dodge); and Christchurch East (Mrs A. L. Williams). In addition to these- schools Ham, Isleworth and Walmairi schools also sent pupils to form the massed choir. Mr G. M. Dorreen conducted the Richmond instrumental group and Mr P. W. Gregory conducted the St Albans Choir. Mr Gregory’s song cycle, “The Coming of the Maori,” once again was given a deservedly good performance by the massed choir. The children conveyed the atmosphere of each section very well indeed.

Mr Charles Martin’s pianoforte accompaniments for the massed items were of great help to the performers and added much to the evening’s enjoyment. Miss E. Preston, Miss E. Rattray, and Mrs M. F. McTeigue did excellent work as accompanists for their school groups. A team of hand-bell ringers from Christchurch East, trained by Mr K. I. Finlayson, were once again a popular and unusual addition to the programme. —C.F.B.