APOLLO SINGERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 143, 13 December 1940, Page 4

APOLLO SINGERS

A VARIED CONCERT

The Apollo Singers, a male voice choir, conducted by Mr. H. Temple White, supplemented by the Wellington Girls' Choir, gave an enjoyable and varied programme of part songs and choruses last evening in the Concert Chamber. The items submitted by the Apollos were both grave and gay, all sung with scrupulous attention to the conductor's beat and endeavour to meet his demands for fine tone and clear enunciation—and they succeeded. Their outstanding numbers were "Victory" (Cyril Jenkins), "Doctor Foster" (Herbert Hughes), "On Wings of Song" (Mendelssohn), and "Spin, Spin, My Daughter, Spin" (unaccompanied). Humorous items included a clever imitation of a military, band and a spirited rendering of "Zut! Zut! Zut" (Edward Elgar), a marching song. The Apollos frequently repeated numbers in response to the insistent demands of the audience. Solo numbers were sung by members of the choir, including "The Windmill," by Mr. J. Pryor, baritone, who also sang as an encore "King Charles." The solo part in a lovely part song, "Serenade" (Beschnitt), was sung by Mr. A. Galley, with expression. Tenor ' solos, "Eleanore" (Coleridge Taylor) and "Collette," were sung sympathetically by Mr. Thos. F. Voyce.

The Wellington Girls' Choir of quite young and some very little singers had a great reception—and deserved it. In their numbers, "Greeting" and "I Would That My Love" (Mendelssohn), they sang naturally, freshly, and simply, and with understanding, keeping their eyes on the conductor. Other numbers in which they were also successful were "Sleep, My Child" (Somerville) and "To a Wild Rose" (MacDowall). Other acceptable songs by the girls were "Nymphs and Shepherds" (Purcell) and "Cherry Ripe." The girls found the Purcell number ! quite to their liking and so did their \ audience. - It was sung with delicacy.

Miss Jocelyn Walker, solo pianist, gave a brilliant performance of "Voices of Spring," Grunfeld's arrangement of Strauss waltz material, and she played, too, with vivacity and assurance. Miss Walker also acted as accompanist to the Girls' Choir and shared in the success attending their numbers. Mr. Harold Whittle, accompanist to the Apollos, gave valuable and artistic support to the singers in every number in which he collaborated. The concert was a popular success, and at the close the conductor and his two choirs were vigorously applauded.