TOWN HALL CONCERT

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18, 22 July 1919, Page 3

TOWN HALL CONCERT

The local Peace celebrations were worthily concluded at the Town Hall last evening by the holding of a grand concert. Notwithstanding that the weather had decided against the entertainment,1 the hall, was packed to, overflowing with a vast, expectant audience, which was determined to enjoy, and was not disappointed. The programme submitted was eminently worthy of the occasion. It was opened with the impressive rendering of the National Anthem" (Sir Edward Elgar) by the Peace , Choir and Orchestra, Miss Teresa M'Emoe being the soloist. This was followed by the inspiring " Marseillaise," in which Mr. John Prouse was heard to special advantage as the soloist, and the Peace Choir and.organ nobly joined in the chorus. During the singing of these two great national hymns the audience stood reverently to attention, and the combined effect was most pronounced, giving the concert an " atmosphere" which it never lost. Under the able conductorship of Mr. Robert Parker the Peace Choir then gave the Soldiers' Chorus from;" Faust," and being fully imbued with the spirit of the song succeeded in, rousing tho audience to no small degree of enthusiasm. In the absence of Mr.- E. J. Hill, the patriotic song "Rule Britannia " was sung by the Mr. Herbert ¥. Wood, thej.Peace Choir coming in with the chorus; The epilogue from. " Banner of St. George" (Sir E. Elgar), sung by the Peace Choir, with orchestra and organ accompaniment, was a finished production, upon which tho whole of the participants, led by Mr. H. Temple White," deserve to be congratulated.. The time was excellent, and the blending of the voices all that could be desired, whilb Mr. C. W. Kerry's organ accompaniment wa3 most artistic. The audience was captivated, and demanded an encore. The C.T; Male Voice Choir contributed two acceptable part songs, "Bugle Song" (Dudley Buck) and "Hymn Before Action" (Walford Davies). Mr. John Prouse was deservedly encored for his singing of Handel's aria, "Why Do the Nations?" the orchestra accompanying nicely. The finest contribution of the evening, however, proved to be the "Hallelujah Chorus" by the Choir, orchestra,/ and organ. Under the baton of Mr. Bobert Parker the Choir rose to the occasion; it brought out the grandeur of Handel's masterpiece with a sublimity which will' long be remembered.' The blending of the voices was such as to produoe a rich volume of tone properly balanced; while the timing was perfect. The audir ence, whinh\stood to attention, tendered its appreciation in the most genuine applause. The concert was concluded by the combined singing of "God Save'the King."