Schools’ Music Festival

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31830, 7 November 1968, Page 12

Schools’ Music Festival

Schools in the Shirley area combined to give the first of a series of two concerts in the hall of the Shirley Boys’ High School ist evening with children from Richmond (Mr R. N. Kent and Mr G. M. Dorreen), Shirley Primary (Mr A. O’Brien, Miss N. Puketapu, and Mr M. W. Jameson), Banks Avenue (Mrs N. Cuzens and Mr C. L’. Emerson), Shirley Intermediate (Mr A. C. Trethowan and Mr L. Matheson) and Shirley Boys’ High School (Mr A. B. Robson) providing items for a well varied and charming programme consisting of songs by choirs, some folk-dancing, some Maori items, some recorder and other instrumental pieces, a gym group, and an orchestra.

The children massed to sing a Sailor’s Song, a Tramping Song, and a Gypsy Song under the direction of Mr A. C. Trethowan, with Mr R. N. Kent playing the pianoforte accompaniments. Their singing was fresh in tone, admirably dean in enunciation, precise and rhythmical, and care-

fully expressive in response to Mr Trethowan’s careful direction. Mr Kent gave crisp and firm assistance to them in the accompaniments which he played with musicianly discernment.

The hall suited all the individual items rather better than the larger Civic Theatre did at the recent festival held there. The performances were intimate in presentation and there was certainly a high and most commendable standard of work.

The choirs sang with good tonal production, keeping a carrying tone without any forcing. The care shown in this matter was much appreciated. The timbre of the voices was pleasant (and, at best very good indeed), and there seemed to be firm command over a clear line of vowels.

The instrumental groups played creditably and showed that they had put solid work into preparation. Miss P. D. Collins conducted a massed group of recorder players who played with careful control of breath—and with rhythmic attack.

The folk-dancing group was

charming and showed excellent rhythmic control and confidence.

The Maori croup performed with very well drilled discipline, keeping praiseworthy cohesion although there was no visible conductor. Their haka had tremendous elan. It is splendid to find children performing items in the Maori language and learning Maori stick games.

The gym group with aplomb and expertise went through a set of gyrations calculated to give a watcher a slipped disc. There was a lissome grace and a strong confidence in all their work. The Shirley Boys’ High School Orchestra, conducted by Mr Robson, played Haydn’s “Toy” Symphony with members of the staff playing the various toy instruments. A good time was had by all. Accompaniments were plaved by Mr L. W. Ford and Mr R. K. Barnes. There will be another concert this evening. The concert ended with a larger orchestra from Shirley Boys’ High School and with all the singers performing the hymn “Joy to the World.” —C. F.B.