CHILDREN'S VOICES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3179, 1 September 1917, Page 2

CHILDREN'S VOICES

TOWN HALL RESOUNDS TO 600 COMBINED SCHOOLS' CONCERT Perhaps tho gladdest sound to hear in tho world is children's voices in song. Untroubled by laws of production, they lift up their heads and sing for the very joy of the singing, and tho osseneo of their untrammelled spirit Hows out t,o every child-lover and to every song-lover' in an irresistible appeal'to all that is best in them. Tho Headmasters' Association gave a combined children's patriotic concert at the Town Hall last ovening, when there were IXO children present, who gavo immense pleasure in songs and choruses, which were, on tho whole, well chosen, and without exception splendidly sung-. It was a fine tonic to hear tho children "lot-it go," so to speak, particularly in those numbers in which there existed the spirit of patriotism. Everyone present was roused by the spirited rendering of "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah," erroneously described on the programms as the American. National Hymn. "The Star-spangled Banner" is tho national; hymn. The great old "Glory" song is usually reforred- to as the "Battle Hymn of. tie Republic"—the Republic of Abra-. ham Lincoln's days. Its melody and swing and words have the cast of immortality, and it was good to hear it last evening. The two rounds, "The Five Bells of Osney"'and "The Spider and the Fly" were'delightfutly sung, this harmony that is aimed at in round singin" 1 being beautifully produced, whilst the modulated treatment of Mr. Parker heightened fto effect. Another unquestionably fine number was tbo new part song, "New Zealand, My Homeland, composed and conducted last evening by Mr. R. P. Pope, of Wellington. The soDg breathes the-proper spirit, it has a tuneful melody and the breadth and character of a national song that should be popular in all our schools. Unquestionably popular, too, was the pantomime song, "Tho Long, long- tfnul which was sung very well indeed and Eaton leaning's- chorus, Obedient to he Call" and "The Marsei laiso" were also sung with ringing emphasis, ine old Englrsh folk-song "The Golden Yan?tv" was not so suitable a song as might haVe been chosen The Jacobite, "Skye Boat Song" is not a cheerful song,anil "0 Wert Thou in the Gatild Blast" (Mendelssohn) could have with without marring the prograime "The Hundred Pipers" was an odd olioico from the Scotch, but was most admiiably. sung nevertheless. Other.numbers we c "My Native Land" (an Irish air), a con ; v ntional hymn-liko;"Hymn bv Sir F. Cowen, "Golden-Slumbeis, a charming cradle song, and "Rule Britannia" (solo by Mr. Walter Warron), which was enhanced by concerted flag action by the children, the ..effect' .being very nrotty Mr. Robert Parker, is to be heartily congratulated- on. the .earnest attention he has evidently given, to the t-rairiinc of the' children. ■ ™a long absence, Mr John Prouse made bis reappearance on the platfoim singing with much of his old spint -Lb-e Death of Nelson" and "Hearts of Oak. ■ Miss Rita Green, a. P*\n* la ™.™>J i only lady soloist. She has an attract" o S soprano voice, but in the ballad "I Go My Way Singing" she was too nervous to do herself Ml"te.Vj Charles Kerry accompanied, most o the numbers on the organ, and also played a Fantasia of National Airs (arrangd 1,,- +l,n nl avert and' a very sweet and by Stcr-ndale Bennett. Miss Dorothy Mills and Miss Edwards were, at the pianos- Tr nsfnr During the interval Mr. W.H. L. Poster returned" thanks to all who had ass.s ed tho schools, and explained that s nging was not the only cv.denco of PatmliMn they could show,, and he advised tho ladles to. visit the-schools' exhibition of sewing now on at tho Education Board s building. His oxponeiice of managing tho children from all at rehearsals had convinced him that e discipline was good .all round, that the .children were growing- up. to bo and wero. all wonderfully palii--0t Tho concert, will'be repeated this even-