EASTER HUI AT OMAHU

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 93, 3 April 1934, Page 8

EASTER HUI AT OMAHU

Choir Competitions End

WAIPATU WINS AGGREGATE

Ou Sunday evening, in the presence of several hundred visitors, the Maori choir competitions were brought to a very successful conclusion. The results of the contest was as follow: — Maori hymn, original composition set to the tune of “ Hoea ra tc waka nei ” —Waipatu Parish Choir 1. Maori hymn 105—Waipatu parish choir 1, Te Aute College male choir 2. One mark separated the placed choirs.

New Maori hymn, original composition to any tune —Waipawa parish choir

Maori hymn 157—Waipatu parish choir and Te Aute Collge male choir equal I. Maori hymn 49—Omahu choir and Waipatu choir equal 1.

Maori hymn 52 —Omahu choir 1. Anthem, “Oh Taste and See.”—Wai patu parish choir.

Anthem, own selection —Waipatu par ish choir 1.

In giving her decision the judge, Miss Hoby, L.R.A.M., of Woodford House, stated that the singing throughout the whole competition had been of a high standard. A few minor , tints that added just that extra finish would have to be watched, but as choir work was still in its infancy >in the Maori Church, these would come in time. In singing the anthems, the endings of the English words were often indistinct. This was accounted for by the fact that Maori words always ended in vowels; hence the choirs were inclined to slur their endings.

The Bishop of Aotearoa paid a tribute to tho performances of the Nuhaka, Omahu and Waipawa choirs. The conducting in all three cases had been done by members of the choir, and considering that they were but amateur musicians. the singing was rcaly wonderful. To obtain finished results, however, the services of some pakeha who understood choral singing vras necessary, and he urged these choirs to obtain help if possible.

A feature of the evening was the performance of the Korongota Maori choir under the leadership of Mr Bewley. This choir has been in existence for quite a long time and extended a helping hand to the Maori Church to encourage the competing choirs in their efforts. They rendered a varied programme and their performance has done much to stimulate tho others.

The Tangi Wehi Memorial Cup for the aggregate points in the whole competition goes to the Waipatu parish choir, who were conducted in their anthems by Miss McCutcheon, of Hastings.