IRISH CONCERT

Grey River Argus, 13 March 1940, Page 5

IRISH CONCERT

«a>Crowded Audience The Irish concert, which is a feature of the Greymouth celebration of the Feast of St. Patrick. ' patron of Ireland, drew the customary crowded audience at the Town Hall last evening. Not a vacant seat was available, and judging by the rousing I applause given to each performer, the , concert was Ihoroughly enjoyed by the whole assemblage. The programme presented was of a varied nature and enthusiasm was fully maintained to the conclusion. The . Convent Orchestra was again to the fore and, as on previous occasions, gave of their best, the instrumentalists showing very careful training. ' The Girls’ Choir of St. Patrick’s ! School, and the Marist Boys’ Choir ! were very appealing in their numbers, j as was the case also with the verse i speaking choirs from both schoo-s, I who acquitted themselves admirably, ■i The Instrumental Quintette, “Lon,'donderry Air,” was given sympathetic I treatment, this beautiful melody or I old Derry always having an appeal. [Songs in'two parts, “Silent O Moyle” and “The Young May Moon,”, given bv Mesdames Hyland and Wilkins and Misses D. Willis, M. Wotton, B. Butcher and G Saunders was a much appreciated item, the voices blending beautifully. Dancing, too, had its 1 place on the programme, an Insa Reel (arranged by Mrs. Bagot) being given a spirited rend tion by xom sirls to the accompaniment of the pipes. Little Miss Lorraine Graham (pupil of Miss Monica Sinnott) gave a beautiful interpretation of her operatic dance, “Bubbles,’ while i-tap-dancing of Miss Monica Sinnott, always popular with the Greymouth public, was given a rousing ovation. The programme was particularly strong in vocal numbers. The outstanding performance was that of Mr. Dave McGill, well-known on concert platforms throughout New Zealand. This singer made an instant impression on his audience, and his beautiful tenor voice was heard to perfection in the items presented. He appeared in both parts of the programme and was double encored on i each occasion. M*r. Jim Duffy, the Cever-popular tenor, was also in fine fibrm, and greatly pleased h’s listen[ers with his two songs, “I’ve Kissed i the Blarney, Stone” and “Rose of I Tralee” (by request). Messrs E. j Boote (tenor) and T. Hatch (bari- ’. tone) were heard to advantage in j their programme numbers, and each

had to respond to an encore. Equally pleasing were the lady vocalists. Mrs -Cogswell, whose mezzo voice of beautiful quality, always appeals, was given an excellent recsption in her two items, in which she displayed a genuine interpretation. Miss Doreen Donovan, another favourite on the Greymouth platform, sang very sweetly and was dbservedly encored, whiist’ a new singer, Miss J. Swc'tman, was given a warm welcome. She has a sweet soprano voice of much promise, her items being much enjoyed. The accompanists last evening had an arduous task, and carried out their duties most creditably. Mr. Jim Duffy made an excellent stage manager, the items being run through on .time with no delays. The programme was as follows: — , Convent Orchestra, Irish Airs; St. Patrick’s Choir, Irish Te Deum; Song, “Eileen Alannah,” Mr. T. Hatch ‘'encore, “I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen”); Irish Reel (arranged by Mrs. Bagot), Misses Pat. Gallagher, Voanie Goodall, Joyce Inglis and Betty Glen); Son.a, “Danny Boy,’ Miss Doreen Donovan (encored); Girls” Verse Speaking Choir, “The Donovans,” group of Convent Pupils; Song, Mr. Dave McGill, “Believe Me” cores, “Minstrel Boy” and "The Star”); Instrumental Quintette, “Londonderry A’r,” Misses Moira McSherry (piano), Linda Foster (’cello), Gladys Foster and Masters G. Soster and H- Zampese (violins); Song, “Meeting of the Waters” (encore, “Silent O Movie”) M.rs J. Sweetman, Marist Brothers’ Boys Choir, “O’Donnell Aboo,” “Tara’s Hall”; Operatic Dance, “Bubbles” (encored), Miss Lorraine Graham (pupil of Miss Monica S’nnott); Song, “I’ve Kissed the Blarney Stone.” Mr. <1 Dully (encore, “Rose of Tralee”; Junior Orchestra, Three Irish Airs; St. Mary’s ,Girls, Choir, “Killarnsy,” “Erin the Tear” (three parts); Song, Mrs. W. Cogswell, “The Kerry Dance” (encore, “At the End of a Cobblestone Road”); Marist Brothers’ Boys’ Verse SpeakinCT Choir, “Littl? Irish Mother”; Tap Dance (encored), Mis.- Monica Sinnott; Song, “Mother Machree” (encore, “Because”), Mr. E. Boote: Song in Two Parts, “Silent, O Moyle.” “The Youncr Mav Moon,” Mesdames Hyland and Wilkins, Misses D. Willis M. Wotton, B. Butcher and G. Saunders, Son-7 “Eiiy Aroon” (encore?., “Neapolitan Love Song” and “My Desire”) Mr. Dave McGill. The accompanists were Misses Moira McSherry, L.T.C.L.; Jean Abbie, A.T.C.L., and Margaret James, and Mr. Jas. Paterson, L.R.A.M. and Mr. Biown, The concert concluded with the audience singing “God Save Ireland” and the National Anthem.