COMMUNITY SINGING

Evening Star, Issue 18030, 26 July 1922, Page 6

COMMUNITY SINGING

To-day tho “sings” wore. of a most, enthusiastic and encouraging nature, liver on the alert to secure .competent leaders, the committee was fortunate in obtaining the services of two visitors, Mr Harry Eatcliffe, a member of ‘Tho Maid of the Mountains’ company, leading at' the Grand, Mr C. Webb, chairman of the Wellington Community Singing Committee, being at the Octagon. At the Grand Sir Eatcliffo was introduced by Mr V. T. Drew, and immediately took charge in a very happy manner, Pile attendance was much larger than usual, and constant hilarity caused by his funnyisms made the sing a real happiness hour. He was attended at tho piano by Mr D. Pope,, who was largely instrumental in the great success of this sing. At the Octagon Mr Webb was introduced by Mr H. P. Desmoulins, a member of tbo committee. He showed his understanding of community singing by cutting short Mr Desmoulins’ speech of introduction with the, words: “We are not hero to listen to 'speeches; wo have como to sing.” Most of Mr Webb’s jokes seemed levelled at the .Scotsman; but he must have been surprised, upon asking those who were not Scotsmen to sing ‘Annie Laurie,’ to find the volume of, sound much greater than when! tho Scotsmen sang. He had tho audience in good humor by suchi methods as ladies singing and gentlemen whistling, a.ndl vice versa. The pianist, Mr R. Don, was instrumental in tho success of this sing, no time being lost in looking for music, ns ho played everything as soon as was mentioned in a key that was suited to the voices of all present without tbo aid 1 of the printed music. The collection was £l3 1.5 s 7d.