WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 December 1929, Page 5

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS.

UNIQUE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT. Organised' by Edward Blranscombe for an Empire tour the Westminster Glee Singers, a remarkable combination of boys and men, hailing from some of England’s most celebrated Cathedral choirs, are touring New Zealand under the direction of Henry Hayward and wi'i it* hcird in. Levin in n great 'variety of accompanied and unaccompanied vocal music, both sacred and secular at the De Luxe Theatre on Tuesday evening next The adults, include Edward Branscombe, for ten years tenor soloist at Westminster Abbey; Charles O’Connor, the eminent Irish tenor and harpist; Ernest McKinlay the Now Zealand tenor who 'joined the company in Canada; Ronald Reid, alto from Westminster Abbey; William Lowry, alto from Christchurch Catliedral (Eng.); James Barker, celebrated Scottish basso; Charles Draper, operatic exhibitioner of Royal' College of Music, London; Albert G. Greene from the London Opera House.' There are five- youthful songsters with the , arty, all from leading cathedral choirs their names being, Douglas Bartrip, one of the finest boy soloists in the Old Country; Vincent Pctley, Harry Foam, Norman Clarke, Alan Goodercd. The training of these boys is of such a nature and extends over such a long period, that they are really experienced professional vocalists. Most Cathedral ehoirs in Great Britain have no less than fourteen services per week and often with daily rehearsals, so it is no wonder that such an extraordinary pitch of excellence is reached in these young choristers. - The programmes presented, which, by the way are changed nightly by Mr Branscombe to satisfy all musical tastes anti embrace sacred and secular music, including anthems, part songs, madrigals, glees, national oy-s, solos, duets, vocal dances, sailor shanteys, humorous quartets and quaint long scenas, all presented in elaborate and artistic stage settings. One performance only will be given and the box plan, is now open at Stannard’s.