CORONATION CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 192, 11 May 1937, Page 5

CORONATION CONCERT

British Music Society To celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the British Music Society (N.Z., Incorporated) held a concert at James Smith’s tearoom last night, at whicli a programme consisting entirely of compositions by British composers was presented. There was a very large audience of members and friends —probably the greatest number that has yet attended one of the B.M.S. concerts—which entirely filled the specious room. Many bowls and vases of iceland pop- 1 pies were placed on stands and tables round the walls of the room, at one enq of which was a wide carpet, in front of the piano, surrounded by easy chairs in lounge fashion. The president of the society, Mr. W. M. Page, and the honorary organiser, Miss Valerie Corliss, who was wearing a frock of pale pink spotted net with a brown silk velvet coat, stood at the door to receive the guests. Mr. Page extended a special welcome to Professor Shelley, who opened the programme with a “Coronation Ode” by William Watson. Mrs. Shelley was also present. Miss Corliss then gave an all-em-bracing address entitled ‘Our Musical Heritage,” covering the history of British music through the centuries. The musical programme which followed included both vocal and instrumental items. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews sang four songs: “Let Us Now Praise the Lord” (Vaughan Williams), “Shepherd’s Song” (Edward Elgar), “Praise Ye the Lord” (Granville Bantock), “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (arr. Frederic Austin). The Schola Cantorium, under the baton of Mr. Stanley Oliver, sang several harmonised numbers. “Lady, Your Eye” (Thomas Welkes), “Grace Before Meat” (Thomas Whythorne, edited Peter Warlock). ‘The Spring of the Year” (Peter Warlock) ; and “Blest Pair of Sirens” (C.i Hubert H. Parry), this last having a pianoforte and strings accompaniment.

A quartea in B Minor (Thomas Dunhill) in three movements was played by Miss Ava Symons (violin), Mrs. Frieda Meier (viola), Mr. Claude Tanner (’cello), and Mr. Gordon Short (■piano). The acompanlsts for the

evening were Mr. Clement Howe and Mr. Gordon Short. At the conclusion of the programme supper was served to bring a most successful evening to a close. Among those noticed in the audience were: Mrs. Wallis, Mr. and Mrs. E. Coleridge, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Mulgan, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Buick, Mrs. Corliss, Dr. and Mrs. A. F. Hickey, Mrs. Stanley Oliver, Mrs. P. J. Townley, Mrs... East, Mrs. W. Bailey, Mrs. and Miss O’Kane, Mrs. Goodson, Miss Kathien Goodson, Mr. and Madame Leon de Manny, Mrs. Gordon Short, Miss Estelle Beere, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hill, Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Anna Ginn, Mrs. O. R. Bendall, Miss Agnes Duncan, Miss Laurie Anderson, Miss Tosti Murray, Mr. Eric Meier, Miss Eleanor Pharazyn, Miss Betty Page, Miss Ormi Reid, Miss Dorothy Buck, Miss Patricia Marshall, Miss Joyce Page, Mrs. Todd, Mrs. Shaw, Miss Ruth Putnam, Miss Molly Atkinson, Miss Iris Mason, Miss Edith Rait, Mr. E. C. Cachemaile, Mr. Gordon Mcßeth (Wanganui), Mr. It. Ginn, Mr. W. Prouse, Miss Mona Brien, Miss Dorothy Woods, Dr. and Mrs. Keys, Mr. Keith Picton.