MAIN SCHOOL BAND

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 July 1930, Page 9

MAIN SCHOOL BAND

INSTRUMENT FUND CONCERT. VERY SUCCESSFUL EFFORT. I A marked success crowned ' the efforts of the committee organising the fund for the Main School Band instruments at the concert last night in the Opera House, for which a programme of exceptional interest- and allround excellence had been arranged. The work of the members and helpers was so effective that there was not a seat to bo got in the house after 8 o’clock, and in addition there was a large number of people on the stage. The artists were given a very enthusiastic reception and the whole evening went exceedingly well. The Main School Orchestra, opened the programme with two very nice selections, march, ‘‘One flag for all, and overture, “Cassandra.” They were followed by Miss Nancy Kent with a very successful rec-itation, “If life were play," for which she was en-

cored. . The talented Bridges Trio fully boro out the reputation which had preceded them and quite captivated the audience with their selections, and proved them to be artists of exceptional ability, all very competent on their own instrument. The first number was a trio for xylophone, violin and piano. Miss Frances Bridges then showed a wonderful power of executant ability in her xylophone solo, “Labelle ' Helene,” the accompaniment of violin and piano making a. nice, tonal background. Another phase of their work was shown in the clever “Dutch store dance” by Nancy and Frances Bridges, a charming number. In each of these two they were, recalled twice'. They also played very nicely a steel guitar trio. . Miss'Leah Ha,ughton showed power of interpretation in her piano solo “Toccata in B Minor' 1 (Steriidale Bennett). , Miss Constance Reilly s song, “Vi.ssi d’arte, vissi d’amor,” from Puccini’s ■ “Lo Tosca,” an exceptionally fine number, gained added interest because of the double obligato for violin and ’cello, by Miss Sturrock and Mr. H. N. Lester, the mu-sic for which was written by Mr Fox. Miss Reilly sang with her wonted artistic feeling. Miss B. Sturrock chose for her violin solos “Sclion Rosmnrin” and “Rondino” (Kreisler). Mr Harold Ackroyd delighted his audience with his singing of the great prologue from “Pagliacci.” The choral numbers by Miss D. Reilly’s ladies choir -showed a fine balance and blend, and a wonderful breadth of tone, and quite charmed their listeners. The numbers were both excellent, “Tell me where is fancybred”. (Callcott) and “Ye banks and braes” (arranged by- Percy Fletcher). An unique number was the Bach “menuet” by the Infants’ Rhythmic Band of 14 little performers, under their very competent conductress, Betty Arch bold. They so delighted their audience that they were obliged to repeat the selection. Instrumental items of varied character and very attractive in their istyle and- performance were given by Mr Antoni Bonetti’-s Hawaiian Band. They comprised two waltzes, violin quintette and ukalelo duet. j The character sketch “Scrooge” by Mr AY. W. Thomas was realistically staged and -given in capital style. Interest was added by the soft singing of “O come, all ye faithful” and the sounding of the Christinas bell-s. Air Thom as added a humorous sketch. The accompaniments were artistically played by Airs J. D. AlcQuin, All's Bonetti Aliss D. Reilly, and! Airs AY. A.

Quin. At the interval Air T. «T. JTurrell, chairman of the committee, cordially thanked nil who had! helped in any wav to make the concert -so- successful, the Opera House staff, the performers, the Bridges Trio (who lmd come for travelling expenses only), Mr H. E. Robinson for instruments lent, and the Press. Lie added that the hand! instruments were on tlie way from England and would be here in a month’s time. He also made special mention of the (fine work of Mr H. O. A. Fox and Air AV. Hawkins. Jb was announced also that an anonymous donation of £3O had been received for the fund and the committee are hopeful that they will be able very scon to clear the balance outstanding.