TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 22798, 5 November 1937, Page 13

TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

CONCERT BY PUPILS Musical instruction at the Dunedin Technical High School is not merely restricted to the talented few. The policy of Dr T. Vernon Griffiths is to teach musical appreciation to the mass —to interest as many as possible at the school. The fruits of this were apparent at the second concert of tho year last night. The choristers and the orchestra, displayed a profound appreciation of music, and that, after all, is one of the principal measures for which any musical school director strives. Other developments will follow later. There were also a play and an operetta. Three years ago a standard of performance was set in these dramatic presentations that has not wavered, and this occasion was no exception. ■

The school choir sang intelligently and paid strict attention to balance. Incidentally, the Burt Hall has fine acoustic properties, especially when full, as was the case last night. The best numbers were Beethoven’s ‘ Holy Night ’ —sung as a two-part song and with confident control—‘ My Bonny Lass,’ by German, and Sullivan’s ‘ The Long Day Closes,’ these two lastnamed being rendered as three-part songs. The orchestra made three appearances, and illustrated its knowledge of the broader points of ensemble playing in each. The martial emphasis of Eric Coates’s ‘ Knightsbridgo March,’ arranged by Dr Griffiths, was given lively point. The ‘ Majestic Overture ’ (de Lamater) was given a melodious interpretation, and was developed to a sensitive climax. Here the strings were a compelling force. A simple number, 7 Campus Pride,’ ended the orchestra’s performance.

The Dramatic Club produced the results of some arduous preparatorywork before its public appearance. The operetta and an intriguing play were cleverly staged. The first piece— ‘ Between the Soup and the Savoury,’ by Gertrude Jennings—was very amusing. The players were Dorothy Payton, Joyce Taylor, and Pat Davis. The theme of the operetta, ‘ The Fairy Slipper,’ embraced some dainty solo and choral singing. Here again the dramatic skill was of a high order, and the costumings were in the best of good taste. The concert will b« repeated tonight.