PORT NICHOLSON SILVER BAND,

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 78, 29 September 1930, Page 5

PORT NICHOLSON SILVER BAND,

Last night's final recital for the 1930 season of the Port Nicholson Silver Band was a triumph for the conductor, Mr. J. J. Drew, and his players. The Grand Opera House held a capacity audience, and , encores were frequent during the evening. The band played some delightful selections, among the most favoured being the marches, "Dunedin," and "Gladiator's Farewell"; the hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee," which opened the programme, and an interesting collection of' Franz Liszt s compositions, arranged for- band interpretation by Mr. Drew himself. The cornet solos of .Mr. T. Goodall, bandsman, were expertly played; they were "Shylock" and "Triplet,", and were much, appreciated. Mr. Gregory Ivanoff, violinist, had a warm reception, for ho is no stranger.to Wellington; he gave of his artistic best in. three numbers—"Moods," by Zacharewitch, "Spanish > Caprice" (Korsakoff-Ivanoff), and "My AIII Folk." Reno and Arta, accompanied by tho band, played the xylophone duet, "William Tell," and had, to respond to a double encore, playing the . Quartet from "Rigoletto and Hie polka "Atarlna." The picture serial monologue or Mr. Cecil Brown was again a popular item.' As a recall Mr. Brown recited "The Difference." The programme was strong in vocal relief. Miss Mary Bald, a delightful contralto, was well suited to,"Macushla," which she sang croonlugly, and in "Mother Machine. Mr. Ken. Rigby's light baritone, with its tenor llotes, made light of "Heart of a Hose",'and "Sally"; the audience would have liked more of this singer. ■ Mr. Dan Foley's tenor solos were "A Pair of Blue Eyes" and "Smiling Irish Eyes," both of which were heartily applauded. Miss Kathleen Ferris choso Arditi's "II Bacio, which she accomplished . with ease,; and as a recall "Only a Rose," from "Vagabond King. Mr. Eric1 Chung's chalk sketch turn, with its Surprise, humour, and absorbing interest, rounded off a fitting finish to a successful season. Mr. Frank Crowther was again a tower of strength as-pianist. During the evening,: Mr.' F. Bourke, late, chairman of tho band, made a special appeal to the audience fo> funds, the response being most satisfactory. During the collection the band .played "Happy Days," "Whistling Farmer Boy/ and the. "Stein Song," Mr. Len Peters ■whistling the 'choruses. ,