WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

Evening Star, Issue 20316, 26 October 1929, Page 13

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

The musical event of tlie current season will take place here commencing; on Tuesday, ’ November 5, when the famous Westminster Glee Singers will, give a series of concerts in the Bums Hall.. A unique body, the Westminster Glee Singers are made up of men and boys selected from the most famous cathedra] choirs in England, particularly Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s, St. George’s, Windsor, and Christ Church Cathedral. They come direct) from a remarkable series of triumphs in Canada, through which they-, have been touring continuously for eighteen moiitha, tilling the largest auditoriums to overflowing and making return visits to cit.cs and , towns again and again with the same results. _ ; _ The repertoire of the singers is remarkable. They are equally at hom« with sacred dr secular music. Their singing is marked by perfect balance of voices, beauty and expression, absolute precision and co-ordination, and a. sonority and splendour- of tone,- particularly in their unaccompanied - selections, that recalls the finest singing in the old English cathedrals. Their programmes include a certain number o£ sacred pieces, but it is mainly in secular selections that tiiese masters ofl cathedral singing make their greatest appeal. Glees, madrigals, part songs,: soios. with vocal accompaniment, plantation melodies, national airs, humorous quartets, sailor chanties, and vocal, song sccnas will all find a place on the programmes, which are changed, .nigntly. Elaborate and artistic stage settings and lighting effects enhance the charm of their entertainment* which is in no sense like the customary, concert. The adult artists include Edward Branscombe (for ten years tenor soloist at Westminster Abbey), Donald Reid (solo alto St. Paul’s Cathedral),: William Lowry (soloist St. Paul’s),Charles O’Connor (the eminent. Irish tenor and gifted harpist), Ernest M'Kinlay (tenor), Albert G. Green (from London), Charles Draper (a basso well-known in operatic circles), James Barber (Scottish basso). The six boy sopranos from London church choirs are Douglas, Bartrip, Vincent Petley, Harry Fcarn, Norman Clarke, Alan Goodered, Sidney Walls. The New Zealand tour is under the direction of. Henry Hayward, by arrangement with Edward Branscombe. the organiser of the Empire tour. A special matinee will be given on Saturday, November 9.