MORNINGTON ORCHESTRA

Evening Star, Issue 20585, 10 September 1930, Page 5

MORNINGTON ORCHESTRA

ITS FIRST CONCERT At the beginning of 1929 several musicians in Mormngton worked together with a view to the formation of in orchestra. The members found it difficult to make much progress without the services of a -.conductor, Mr E S. Thomas, who had been helping the orchestra along during the first few months, was asked to approach Mr George Hickey to see whether he would act as conductor. The latter consented to take over the duties until November, 1929, when the orchestra disbanded for three months. When it again started Mr H. .1. M. Riddle took over tho conductorship, and the members have since continued playing under his direction. The orchestra gave its first entertainment last evening in the Mornington School gymnasium, which was attended by about 450 persons, who were treated to a delightful programme of music, song, and dancing. The. concert ■ opened' with the march * Androscoggin,’ which was very commendably played by the orchestra, which also rendered Hawaiian Keverie,’ and towards the end of the entertainment presented the intermezzo ‘ Celestine ’ quite effectively. The first vocalist' to appear was the Rev. L. North, who sang The Lute 1 layer exceedingly well, and was recalled. Accompanying himself, he added ‘ Funiculi, Fumcula. The Phillips family—four or five in number—contn buted liberally to the evmhmg s 'entertainment.' The young .lady at the piano proved herself a good accompanist, and also took part in a vocal duet with her sister, who gave several solos on the cornet and kindred instruments. _ Ihe other members of the family were juveniles, and played and sang very cleverly, considering their youth. Ihe remaining vocalist was Mr W. R. Lambert, who contributed a humorous song. Miss Nell Warren displayed her versatility as an elocutionist by reciting ‘ Over the Telephone, and, as encores, gave several other humoroii" items Tosolli-s ‘ Serenata was played as a violin duet by- Messrs H. Riddle and H. French very .creditably, and an additional item had to. be given. Some very clever sleight-of-hand tricks were neatly performed by Mr Alexander J. Meggct, and evoked prolonged applause. Scottish dances wore presented bv Misses Pat Atkinson, May Wilson, Nancy Crichton, and Rita Drysdale, Mr Gordon Crichton supplying , tho music on the bagpipes. The fouFyoung ladies were very warmly applauded lor their dancing. An amusing innovation was introduced in the form of local hits, which were illustrated by means or lantern slides, and provoked much merriment. There was also a slide novelty, the feature of which was community singing by the audience. All present joined in the musical portion with great enthusiasm, especially the juveniles at the rear of the hall. The entertainment went with a good swing from first to last, and the frequent recalls showed that the efforts or the performers wore appreciated. Ihe position of accompanist was filled bj Miss L. Fuller.