“THE GREAT LIGHT.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 October 1924, Page 6

“THE GREAT LIGHT.”

SUCCESSFUL CANTATA. BY METHODIST CHURCH CHOIR. “The,finest presentation of its kind yet heard in Hawera, ” was the unanimous verdict of those, who were fortunate enough to be present at the rendering of the sacred cantata- “The Great Light” by the Hawera Methodist Church Choir last evening. Considering that such a splendid festival of music was submitted it was rather unfortunate that there was not a larger attendance, but the success of the choir’s efforts from the musical point of view was such as to suggest that, if they repeated the performance in the admirable way they rendered it last evening, the church would be literally packed to the doors. The choir as a whole and the various soloists acquitted themselves so well that it would be rather invidious to make comparisons. The choir was exceptionally well balanced, and the effects of light and shade, as well as superb control, showed that not only had the choir practised assiduously, but that in Mr H. C. Hillsdon Hutton they had'a choirmaster who has the, happy accomplishment of being able to get the very best out of each member. Mr Hutton also presided at the organ, and his work in the difficult accompaniments was very meritorious. The male chorus “He, knows it all” was particularly fine and the harmony beautiful, while the ladies’ chorus “The Light of the World” was also exceptionally pleasing. The programme was as follows: Hymn, “We Love the Place ’’; solo, “Mv Task” (Ashford), Miss E. Spurdle; fecit, and solo, “Arm, Arm,Ye Brave” (Handel), Mr A, G. Reid; solo, “Nearer by God to Thee” (Carey), Mrs A. Bates; recit and aria, “I will sing of Thy Great Mercies,” Mrs ivl. M. Grahame; solo and chorus, “Praise Ye the Mighty Lord,” Mr A. G. .Reid; solos? and chorus, “Every Valley shall be Exalted,” Mrs Tozer and Mr Reid; recit, solos and chorus, “Brightest and Best,” Mr G. Harvey and Mrs Tozer; solo and chorus, “Calm on the Listening Ear,” solo and chorus, “Arise, Shine, for Thv Light is Come,” Mrs Tozer; ladies’ chorus, “The Light,of the World”; male chorus, “He Knows it All”; Crucifixion solos, i ‘ Crucifixion ” (Stainer), Messrs Newberry and Harvey; cliorus, “0 Sacred Head”; recit and chorus, “The Crucifixion,” Mr G. Harvey; chorus, “Slowly the Daylight is Fading”; solo and chorus, “Easter Dnwii,” Mr G. Harvey; solos and chorus, “Christ is Risen,” Mr s Tozer and Mr Jones;''male chorus and solos, “Crown Hini with Many Crowns,” Messrs Reid and Jones; solo and chorus, “The Heavens Declare,” Mr A. G. Reid; grand canon and finale, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” A collection was taken in aid of the trust funds.