NATIONAL CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 147, 18 March 1937, Page 15

NATIONAL CONCERT

Song Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick's Day was celebrated appropriately in Wellington last night with an Irish national concert. A large crowd filled the Town Hall, and was amply entertained by a wealth of traditional song and other contributions to an outstanding and popular programme. The total proceeds of the concert will be devoted to Catholic education, this year marking the silver jubilee of the foundation of the Wellington Catholic Education 'lTust Board. When tin' education fund was first established in 1912. there were three parishes only for the whole of Wellington, with seven schools and about 10(10 pupils. To-day I lie number of parisites is seven, and there are 14 schools with 2000 pupils. More than £50.000 has been collected since operations began, and £31,000 has been expended in maintaining the schools. The concert itself was well-organised, the greater part of the programme being vocal. Interspersed among the colourful range of songs were orchestral numbers played by the Marist Brothers’ Club Orchestra, a popular Irish jig by Master Donald Young, a pleasant recitation by Miss Mary Doolan, harmonious brackets by “The Cameo Three” (Miss Molly Atkinson, Mr. W. Roy Hill and Mr. Clement Howe), and typical choruses* by the combined Marist Brothers’ boys’ choirs (Tasman Street and Miramar) and by the choirs separately. The contributing vocal artists, who revealed a variety of talent, were: Mrs. T. Treacy, Miss Eileen Courtenay, Miss Molly Atkinson. Master Joseph Lyons. Mr. Harison Cook, Mr. Ben O’Brien, Mr. W. Roy Hill and Mr. Clement Howe.

The accompanists were Mesdnmes G. P. Aldridge and Walshe, and the stage manager and his assistant were Mr. Tom O’Brien and Mr. Stan Philpott respectively.