WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 19 November 1932, Page 13

WORLD OF MUSIC

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

’The committee of the Hawcra Orchestral Society, anxious to maintaii the standard of concerts .set in the. past, are arranging for three good solo artists for their final concert on November 24. The assisting artists will be Miss Christine Ormiston, soprano of Wellington; Mr Harold Ackrovd, baritone, Ilawcra; and Master Louis Pox, Haw era, violinist, who x v ill play ‘‘The Devil’s Sonata’’ (Tartini). The orchestral numbers will be: Overture, “Fingal’s Cave’’ (Mendellsohn); concert valse (by request), “Dream of the Ocean” (Guy); suite, “ Crown of India” (Elgar), and No. 1 Rhapsodic in F (Liszt).

CHILDREN’S SINGING.

A very interesting section of the Competitions in. Ilawcra was that ol the children’s choirs, and the judge was •mrist encouraging in his comments on their work. Airs T. C. Sunderland, a keen enthusiast in music and specially in that of the little ones, had two choirs entered and she was so encouraged by the judge’s remarks that she decided to continue and will hold regular practices for a children’s choir. This is a good opportunity for youngsters to enrol and secure practice and tuition in singing.

CHORAL WORK IN HAWERA

The fallowing extracts from .the “Star” concerning the beginning of a I choral society in IHawera will no I doubt be of interest to present-day musical people. The records state that the first choral society was formed in Ilawcra on. June 21, ISSO, when twenty-four joined as members and they practised in the Town Hall, paying £l2 a year. ’On October 21) they gave the first concert. The}' had then 40 active members and 32 honorary. It is of interest to learn that five were disqualifies for breach of the rules, but the particular fault is not mentioned in the report appearing in the “Star.” It is mentioned that they had a talented conductor and a pianist of outstanding ability and it whs said the society could hold its own with any other provincial society even in a larger town. Mr W. J. Chaney, postmaster, was honorary secretary and in that, year Mr Leslie Charles was conductor, with Mr iS. Dixon as deputy. Mr W. Dingle was treasurer and Mr A. Gower librarian. In the seccfnd concert the programme had to be altered at tne last- moment and items substituted and' this caused much inconvenience. “Tt is hardly to be wondered ,” said the report, “that the concert was a little flat and that per formers did not sing so well as previ- , ouslv.” The programme, included I solos and duets and choruses, th« lat- 1 ter, it was said, not being- given with j sufficient spirit. “A detailed criticism under the circumstances would be un-1 generous and uncalled for,” said the 1 critic. j

The third was given later in 1881 and was most, successful, but rather quaintly no names of performers. were given, only “a lady or a gentleman” being mentioned. And the programme finished with “God Save the Queen,” “as sung by Her Majesty's Opera.” Mr G. L. Laishley became conductor in 1882 and there were also “'some young buds” in the chorus. It was considered the selections were not good. “The vocal duet, ‘Fisherman,’ would have been better,” said the report, “if the tenor had been in good voice.”

In regard to the choral work it was stated there was a prejudice against Germanised or Italianised music and therefore it was hoped that “English music would be used that could not be Italianised.” The manner in which “God Save the Queen” was sung was worthy of the occasion, the concert being given on the evening after the Queen ’s birthday.

■ST. MARY’S CHOIR. The record given in the “Star” of the music of St. Mary’s Choir during the Ififty' years since the opening of the church has created much interest. It was impossible to get all names and as many as could be got at the time were given. Old members have recalled some others who were prominent in the choir and who have many friends in the district: Misses Natalie Hill, Radio Holms, Ethel .Chadwick, Pickcn, Freda Brown, Arcs, W. Johnson, Mrs Dr. Brown, Mrs F. Basham, Messrs W. F. Ross, G. Liddington, Balk, Cunnold, Hoar, and F. O - . Hancock. Other members who gave much useful service was Miss Violet Robinson, who played the violin with the choir for several years, and Mrs .Barker, who very efficiently trained the choir boys for several years. Another of the organists whose name was overlooked was Mr G. .Schwartz, a very fine player whose work was much appreciated. Mr J. Blyth sang in capital stylo all the tenor solos of the “Crucifixion” about .'■**>, anc * he was a member for some time. NEWS AND NOTES. A. news item of prime interest to musical people all over the Dominion was the resignation of Mr Bernard I sgc, city organist of Wellington. He is a gifted player and one who holds very high ideals in music and will not consider making his recitals what arc termed “.popular.” The result has 100,1 t ! ,at his Sunday' evening recitals have boon sparsely attended and a ‘break has been threatening for a long time. This has now come and Wellington will lose oqe of the foremost organist's of the Dominion.