MALE CHOIR.

Grey River Argus, 18 June 1927, Page 5

MALE CHOIR.

Although the weather was extremely cold, a large audience attended the first Concert of the Male Choir at the Town Hall on Thursday night. The first item on the programme was an old favourite number, “My Native Land and the choir gave full effect to the fine music set to Scott’s immortal words. The male quartette party (Messrs Smith, West, Nelson and Harley) sang “When the Swallows Homeward Fly” a sweet harmony of Franz Abt’s whose music is always melodious. This item was well received. “The Christian Martyrs” (Laurent de Rille) is a fine dramatic piece of music. The balance in this was pretty good, but there was a tendency to sharpness throughout. A dainty number was ‘I Would I Were a Glow-worm,” an arrangement of the n Londonderry Air”. This was much appreciated, but the balance rather overweighed the melody. “At Andernach in Rhineland,” was very nicely rendered, the light and shade in expression being j well brought out. “To the Death” (a rousing hunting chorus and an old favourite) had the best reception, and earned a well-merited encore. The final choir number “The Roysterers” was also well done, and loudly applauded. A fine item was the Ladies’ Quartette (Misses Warnes, Coburn, Adkins, and Drake) who sang “Hark! ’Tis the Indian Drum” (Bishop) and as an encore number “Old Mother Hubbard” which in turn was again repeated by insistent request. Mrs Buist, (of Roa, late of Blenheim) gave a nice rendering of “The Poet Life” (Elgar) and responded to a well merited encore. Mr 11. 11. Brown, a new baritone member

of the choir gave a very pleasing rendering of “The Kings’ Minstrel” (Pinsuti) and an equally fine rendering of “Muleteer of Malagar”. The young entertainer and humorist, Master Newson, of Christchurch, had a great reception and kept the audience highly amused in quite a number of Sterns, humorous monologues and recitations at the piano, and aspiring competitors could have learned much from his renderings. Although quite a young boy, his ability both vocal and instrumental, displayed fine tuition and adaptability. His first number “Next Week” told of the thrilling serial film stories. He gave as an encore “Jones Comes Home Late”, a very realistic rendering which caused intense amusement. Later, he contributed “That Cat” (a funny creature with nine lives), and received a double encore his encore numbers being “Yet I Don’t Know” and “My Motor Car.” The Choir is to be congratulated on its first concert. Under the baton of Mr. Savage, and ably assisted by Miss L. Higgins (pianiste) they showed they had not lost any of their repute since the last concert.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —I looked forward yesterday morning for your report of the Greymouth Male Choir Concert, but could find no trace of same throughout the paper. Last night I purchased the evening paper and likewise was disappointed to find no mention of it. What is wrong with your papers in not reporting this organisation, which is a credit to the town. Is there victimisation going on over this Society? Thanking you for the space, I am etc., MUSIC LOVER. (Our report of the concert which appears above, we were reluctantly compelled to hold over yesterday ewioj* to pressure on our space.—Ed.)