WORLD OF MUSIC.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 December 1924, Page 13

WORLD OF MUSIC.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. ; The ladies’ chorus, which is always a feature of the Misses Reilly’s annual concert, promises this year to be exceptionally interesting. They have been rehearsing under Miss D. Reilly very carefully for a considerable time, and their wdrk will be a great attraction on the programme for the concert which will be this season on next Friday, December 12. . The rest of the programme will all be good and will make up a very capital evening. Continued excellent reports come to hand of Walter Fennell’s progress . in London.' He is in Capital health apd is gaining great kudos from his tutors. AN INSPIRING OCCASION.

There is a wonderful uplift about the-unison singing of a great body of men and boys, especially when they are singing old, long-remembered hymns and songs. This was forcibly brought home to all who were present at the great Service of Thanksgiving in the Wellington Town Hall last Sunday in connection with the Wellington College Jubilee. The Old Boys had assembled at the school, grounds and were- marshalled in order- of years, the masters and ex-masters leading a. procession of boys whose years of scholastic effort dated from 1867 up to the present day. Each section had a banner - preceding, carried by two present boys, representing say" a five-year period. The first was naturally very thin* in numbers, but. there were about twenty-four present dating back to the years 1881-1885. So it came about that when the sections reached the Town Hall they sat together, men who could look hack in happy remembrance -to {interesting days spent together, and now after many strenuous years reviving the memories of the past. Their thoughts, therefore, had naturally much in common, and the solemnity and significance of the great occasion were a great moving force in their minds.-So much was this felt that few there were who did not confess to a catch in the voice, perhaps a tear in the eye, -as their thoughts travelled back over the bridge of years that separated theth from Vhe past, those great, days ; of school. But the feelings were stir fed most deeply when listening to ‘ tliat great company of men—the hall was filled, and' there were probably ' two thousand men taking part in the sei'vice—singing ‘ the grand old liymhs, “All people that on earth do dwell,’’ “0 God, our help in ages past,” the bid song of praise and thanksgiving “Te Deum laudanum,” and the National Anthem.

Alongside one another, with similar feelings of gratitude . that ; they were privileged to come back after so many years, were hoys’,; many of whom had been together in the same classroom, most of whom had rarely met since those days’ of long ago. . The whole occasion was a striking inspiration, but the singing of the nien and boys is something that will live in the memory of all who took part in the service, as long as time lasts.

£4OOO FOR A ’CELLO

The story of the famous Stradivarius violoncello, made in 1720, on which Piatti, the celebrated ’cellist, used ,to play, is told by Olga Racster. The ’cello, after Piatti died,' was sold 'to Herr Robert Mendelssohn, a Berlin banker, and nephew of the composer, for £4OO0 —the largest sum ever paid for a ’cello.

Piatti was at a friend’s hofise — Coionel Oliver, who had paid £350 for the ’cello—one day ’in 1867, comparing the Stradivarius with two other instruments. when the colonel asked hjtn which of the three he preferred, “"the Stradivarius,” replied Piatti without hesitation.

The colonel told him to take it hotne;, but Piatti refused, and left the house hurriedlv in case his great longing for the ’cello might cause him to retract his refusal. The instrument was sent to his house after him, and he kept it until his death. HER FAVOURITE. Miss Teacliem, wishing to arouse tlie interest of her Sunday school clads, asked the scholars to write down the names of their favourite hymns. All bent their heads over pencil and paper for a few minutes, and then handed in their slips. All except Mary. “Come, Mary,” said the teacher, “write down the name of your favourite hymn and bring the; paper to me{” Mary wrote, and with downcast eyes find flaming cheeks handed the teacher a slip of paper bearing the words: “Willie Smitfi.”

WELLINGTON COLLEGE

BOYS’ CONCERT. It is not often that one has the opportunity of attending a concert where all the items are given by boy soloists, chorus and orchestra. This was,. however, the case.' at a mass meeting of old boys of Wellington College on Saturday night last, in the Town Hall. It was a really excellent programme and spoke volumes for the organisation. The orchestra consisted of eleven instruments,' and twenty-six players—fourteen violinists, cello, bass, two flutes, two clarinets, cornet, two trombones, bass and side-drums, and piano. Their work was marked by nice expression and a fine volume. In addition there were violin solo quai'tOt -piano, violin, ’cello and flute—solo on flute, and violin duet, and all were very good. ■

Ihe chorus consisted of thirty voices (twenty sopranos and ten altos), ahd they sang capitally three part songs, all unaccompanied. The balance and blend were very nice, the alto beiiig particularly full and rich. There were also a vocal solo and duet, both most enjoyable items.

leeitations, one m character were marked by a lot of clever work and much originality and humour. Tlie display of . physical drill by a team of about fifty boys was exceptionally good and did much credit to their instructor.

Altogether it was a performance of much more than average excellence, ■uid was very keenly appreciated by a •a’.ge ■ and enthusiastic audience