TAWHITI SCHOOL

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 July 1932, Page 2

TAWHITI SCHOOL

CLASSROOM CONCERT.

FUND TO BUY INSTRUMENTS

Promoted by the Tawhiti School Band and Orchestra Committee, the first of a series of concerts to raise funds for the purchase of instruments was held at the Tawhiti school in Hawera last evening. The seating accommodation in one of the larger classrooms was taxed to full capacity and the attendance was regarded as a happy augury for the success of future functions of a similar nature in connection with the appeal. .During the evening the instructor of the stringed instrument class at the school, Mr. R.upert George, gave an address on the fiddle, at the sailie time, giving demonstrations with the nso of three instruments, violin (soprano), viola, (alto), and ’cello (tenor). The first-known stringed instrument of this class was the rebec, which resembled the mandolin in shape, and the erwd, a Welsh instrument of somewhat different pattern which rested on the knees. Then came the viol, and the speaker traced the change which took place in the name until the instrument finally became known as the violin, viola, ’cello, and double bass in its range of tone. Under his direction a trio consisting of Misses Margaret and Olga Fox and Master Louis Fox, with Miss Rodgers as pianoforte aecompaniste, rendered several numbers to illustrate the tonal qualities of the respective instruments —-soprano, alto and tenor. At the conclusion of the performance Mr, George played several violin solos, including “Duo Mervielle” (Paganini), a Hungarian fantasy, “Hejre-Kati” (Hubay) and a typical Italian number savouring of the impetuousness of the race, entitled. “Devil’s Trills.” With the stro-vioi, more commonly known as the saxaphone-violin, Mr. George played “Chanson Triste” and Lenin’s famous “duet” for one violin, which was an imitation of first and second violin parts. The instructor was applauded for his work. Perhaps the most popular of the items given by the children were the hakas and poi dances performed by the Maori boys and girls attending the school. * They had beey. trained by

Mr. Scotty Panenui, of Taiporohenui, and in the ease of the. poi dances a graceful exhibition was given to music played by a Maori orchestra. The hakas were on similar lines to those given at the Maori pageant during the Mawera borough jubilee celebrations and Punga, a diminutive Maori boy, acted as leader. Prior to the final haka the Maoris combined as a choir j and sang “E Pari Ra,” repeating the same song by request as an encore. Among other items were the .following by pupils of Miss Nancy Kent (elocution): Recitations, “Bertie and the Pirates,” by Fred Brett; “Captain Bunting,” Thelma Cox; “The Birthday,” Kevin Pereivai; “Little Yellow Dog,” 11a Pereivai; “Nod,” Ruby Toy.* Songs, “Dresden China,” Noeliue Smith; “A Baby Girl,” Jocelyn Evans. Pianoforte solo, Jocelyn Evans. Monologues, “The Pillar Box,” Hazel Johns; “Breff,” Pixie Kent. Dances, “Irish Jig,” Norma Nixqn; “Highland Fling,” Peggy Denman. Pianoforte ac-j companinients were played by 7 Mrs. ' Bonetti and Miss Rodgers. | The concert was stage managed by Mr. J. Smith, chairman of the band | and orchestra committee, and towards the close of the performance lie addressed the audience and explained that the committee was set up independently of the ordinary committee to inculcate a love for music among the children. He thanked the performers and Mrs. Bonetti, Miss Kent, Miss Rodgers and Mr. George for thenassistance -and said that the proceeds would form the nucleus .of a fund for the purchase of instruments. Since the stringed instrument class was commenced three weeks ago 20 pupils had joined and excellent progress had been made by the instructor. The response among the boys to form a flute band had not been quite as enthusiastic, but as instruction proceeded he had no doubt that others would desire to learn the instrument. Mr. Smith urged the pupils to practice at home and to pay strict attention to the instructor. Perseverance would overcome all difficulties, he said, and the school would be proud of its orchestra and band when they had reached a state of proficiency and were able to give their first public performance. Mr. Smith remarked that later in the year the committee hoped to combine with the Hawera main school band and orchestra and stage a concert. He thanked Mr. Panenui for his interest and supervision of the pois and hakas and hoped 'that the school would have another opportunity of witnessing these performances. Other members of the committee who assisted Mr. Smith were Messrs A. E. Stone (secretary), 0. H. Barker, A. Hall and J. Campbell.