FINE SINGING

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 99, 23 October 1940, Page 7

FINE SINGING

PRIMARY SCHOOLS' FESTIVAL

Pleasing in every respect was the annual music festival of the primary schools which took place in the Town Hall last night. Between 500 and 600 boys and girls formed the choir, and; a very competent orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Leon de Mauny, played the accompaniments for their songs and also played several selections. The singing was of a very high standard, and the fresh young voices of the singers gave ample evidence of efficient training. The many parents and friends present thoroughly enjoyed every item, and obviously the children did too, whether they were actually singing themselves 'or listening to the orchestra. Great credit is due to Mr. T. J. Young, who conducted the singing, for his choice of programme. "God Defend New Zealand" was followed by a delightful rendering of "The Song of the Music-makers" (Martin Shaw) and Brahms's "The Sandman," charmingly scored for orchestra and voices. The old English song "A Hunting We Will Go" and the seven-teenth-century carol. "Whence is That Goodly Fragrance?" (with descant), were both very well sung. The full choir also sang "Marching" (old. Dutch), the carol, "Old Bethlehem," "The Bay of Biscay," "The Sunlight New is Streaming" (Schubert), "The Oak and the Ash" (old English), and, finally, the lovely old carol. "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen." About hall the choir contributed "My Bonnie Cuckoo" (Irish folk song), and Max Reger's "Slumber Song" (to the accompaniment, of muted strings). The orchestra, conducted by Mr. Leon de Mauny, played attractively the overture to "Mirella" (Gounod). the waltz from the "Sleeping Beauty" ballet of Tschaikowsky, and the lively "Dance of the Tumblers," by RimskyKorsakov.

Miss Jocelyn Walker's piano numbers thoroughly pleased the children and the adults too. These included Wolf's "Cradle Song," a Chopin waltz* "The Elf" (Schumann), and "Little White Donkey" (Ibert). Mr. de Mauny played a violin solo, selecting the meditation from Massenet's "Thais."