A HUGE SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 35, 9 August 1930, Page 10

A HUGE SUCCESS

FINAL SCHOOL CONCERT

As predicted in "The Post," the Town Hall was completely filled for the third concert of Music Week last night. The evening was a hugo success iv every way, both audience and performers thoroughly enjoying themselves. The pleasure which the children got from their entertainment was obvious, and a happy sign of the enjoyment which they evidently derive from their musical studies in the schools. A still more definite, result of the work accomplished in the schools under the supervision of Mr. E. Douglas Tayler, was the group of songs composed by New Zealand school children. In every case the melody of these was made by a school child (often in a quite low standard) who occasionally wrote the words as well. Others were class efforts, but all were charming and were sung by Mrs. Douglas Tayler in just the way one would imagine the youthful composers would wish. Besides Mrs. Tayler, Mr. Harison Cook and Mr. Claude Tanner provided "adult" items, the former singing songs and shanties with the children, and the latter with his 'cello; and Mr. Douglas Tayler, besides conducting the choir of some hundreds and the combined school orchestras, gave a much appreciated organ solo. The rest of the programme was given over to choral singing and orchestral items.' Each number was most happily chosen. Old English ballads, traditional Scottish, Welsh, and Irish airs, folksongs, and rounds were admirably suited to a juvenile choir, especially one so well trained in enunciation that, although sheets were- on sale giving the words of the choruses, there was really little ueed to refer to them. The orchestra was equally well provided with pieces within the power of the young instrumentalists, yet of sufficient charm to hold the attention of the audience, and did very well indeed. Many enctores were acceded to before the choir, orchestra, and organ were joined in an impressive rendering of the National Anthem, the choral favourites being "Little Bingo," "Mine Own Countree," and "Wi' a Hundred Pipers." The soloists were also heartily recalled. Indeed a festival spirit pervaded the whole coneort, which should long be remembered as a delightful occasion, marked by a simplicity which one often looks for in vain in these days of elaborate children's entertainments. If in future music week becomes an established annual event, the children's concert will undoubtedly be one of its most popular features.

Mr. Ernest Jenncr was at the piano last night and the programme, which proved so successful, was as follows:—

Choir with orchestra, "My Land" (A. A. Weddc); choir, "Sir Eglamore" (old English ballad), "The Robin's Last Will" (Scottish Traditional), "Little Bingo" (Old English); Combined School Orchestras, "Styrian Landlcr" (J. Brown), "Up the River"; vocal solo, "I am a Roamer," Mr. Ilarison Cook (accompanist, Mr. Trevor Fisher); Choir, "The Miller of Dee" (17th Century), "Mine Own Countree," Londonderry Air (Irish), "Gossip Joan" (18th Century) organ, Allegretto in B Minor (Guilmant), Mr. E. Douglas Tayler; Songs composed by New Zealand school children. "If You Wear a Woven Ring" (Elviua Anderson), "The Apple Tree" (G.M.), "Fairies" (A.S.), "Dreaming" (P.H.), Ilataitai School; "Somebody," Stephen Island School, "The Crocus, The Dreamboat," Miramar Central School; "The Seasons," Nelson Park School, Napier, Mrs. E. Douglas Tayler; Choir, "Nymphs and Shepherds" (Purcell); "Ca' the Ewes to the Knowes" (Scottish); "Cavalier Song" (Welsh). Interval. Combined School Orchestras, "Dream Waltz" (J. Brown); Choir, "The Lass of Richmond Hill" (Old English); "Early ono Morning" (Old English); "Wi' a Hundred Pipers" (Scottish); 'cello solos, "Air"(Matheson); "Minuet" (Boccherini), Mr. Claude Tanner; Sea Shanties, "Billy Boy," "Rio Grande," "What Shall we do with tlio Drunken Sailor?" (arrgd. by R. R. Terry), Mr. Harison Cook (accompanist, Mr. Trevor Fisher); Combined School Orchestras, "The Huntsman's Jig" (J. Brown); Songs composed by New Zealand school children, "Grasshopper Green" (Dorothy Clarke), "I Wish I Lived in a Caravan" (Suzanne Collins), St. Matthew's Collegiate School. Masterton; "The Best School of All (Waikakaho School), "Fairies by the Sea" (Iris Bun-ell), "Sleep" (Nauey Bntton), "I'd Like In yo to 'Fairyland" (Moera School).

"Green Fields of England" (Kiwitea School), Mrs. E. Douglas Tayler; choir, "One Man Went to Mow" (Folksong), "London's Burning" (Round).