WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 December 1929, Page 8

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

< " A MUSICAL TREAT. ' They came, they sang, and they received the unanimous approval of the fairly large audience present at the. Greymouth Town Hall on Saturday evening.' There is no doubt that the Westminster Glee Singers are a combination possessing outstandingmerit' in the world of’ good music. Whether their voices are raised in oldfashioned" folk songs, anthems, glees, madrigals, dr part . songs, these singers whom Edward , Bi’anscombe has gathered around him are such as ijreymouth music-lovers seldoffi have the pleasure of hearing. The excellent ■ impression they made on Saturday' evening—-the most unfavourable at Greymouth, so far as the size of an audience is concerned, owing to ,the late shopping night and counter attraptidns‘—should secure for them a much larger attendance to-morrow evening, when their second and final concert will be given. Splendid adult voices are there in plenty, and additional interest is given by the presence of several boy sopranos. The prd-

gramme given on Saturday evening was well balanced, and gave full opportunity to every class of voice, the standard attained being of the highest throughout. Particularly popular were the rollicking sea chanteys sung by Albert G. Greene, the basso, with chorus. The vocal waltz, “Breeze of the Night,” was followed by “Break o’ Day,” the voices blending beautifully. The Singers also found favour in the part song, “Who Shall Win My Lady Fair?” while a quartette, “Linden Lea,” left nothing to be desired. The boy sopranos were heard in the old English' songs, “Foresters, Sound the Cheerful Horn,” and “The Countryside.” The fine tenor voice of Ernest McKinlay, already well-known through the medium "of the gramophone, was well suited in “The Mountains of Mourne,” and Charles O’Connor, another fine tenor, gave a splendid rendering of the popular , “Father O’Flynn.” Another touch of Erin was forthcoming from Albert G. Greene, who sang, “The Little Irish Girl.” The bass voice of James Barber, singing -“Old Clothes and Fine Clothes” established him as a favourite, and Donald Reid also scored with

his solos, “There are Women,” and “Little Tommy.” Another good basso is Charles and the quality of his voice was well brought out in “A Border Ballad.” “Nonsense Rhymes,” by the company, struck a well-defined noth of humour, while Donald Reid contributed the familiar “Drink To Me Only.” Just how enjoyable a boy’s voice can be was demonstrated by Norman Clarke, who sang “O For the Wings of a Dove.” The remainder of the lengthy programme amply maintained the high standard set by the Westminster Glee Singers, and its success was not a little due to the splendid work of Messrs Branscombe and Reid, as accompanists. The Singers will be heard at Hokitika this evening, and will make their final appearance at Greymouth tomorrow evening, when a completely new programme will be offered.