SACRED CONCERT

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1927, Page 1

SACRED CONCERT

BENEFIT FOR AY IR EL-ESS FUND

At tlio Princess Theatre last evening tbe Hokitika. Municipal Band tendered a benefit for the wireless fund. Despite the rain which fell inopportunely at 8 o’clock, there was a good attendance. The Band, some 21 strong, paraded under Mr AV. E. Richards, bandmaster, and Air C. B. Ross, conductor. Tbe Band was effectively grouped on the stage and rendered a very acceptable programme. The following were the. numbers rendered by the Band:—Alnreh. “Chef D’Oeuvrc.” (Buleh); Fantasia,

“No rnnm hurst,” (Greenwood) ; Cornet Solo, “The Rosary,” (Nevin); Anthem, “Blessed are They,” (Jones); Selection, “Overtarinna.” (Somers) ; Hymn, “Snndon,” (Purely); Hymn. “Eternal Father,” (Dykes); Alareli, “Fern ado), (G reen wood). The Band rendered its part of the. programme in a well prepared manner. The instrumentation was good throughout. Light and colour had careful attention, a special example of which was the rendering of the National Anthem at the close, the piece being rendered in the right devotional tempo and volume. Of the several pieces rendered, the two main selections, “Norinaiihurst.” and “Ovcrturiana,” were very effectively given, denoting careful preparation. The conductor had the Band under perfect control, and the rendition in each instance was excellent. Both marches were given in good spirit, the closing one in particular being strikingly rendered. The anthem and hymn times were rendered very leelingly, and the whole performance by the Band was most acceptable and creditable to all concerned. One of the special delights of the Band programme was the cornet solo, “The Rosary,” there being a. good interpretation and a. most acceptable accompaniment. Altogether the Band rendered a programme well worth while,* nml regret must be expressed that more is not heard of the Band now Hint it is in suck specially good form.

The Band was supported by some vocal numbers. Miss GiUooly sang “Avo Maria.” (Gibson) very pleasingly indeed, Afiss Giese being the accompanist o. Tfliio Presbyterian Church Choir, some 23 in number, rendered the anthem “Jerusalem My Glorious Home,” and a bracket of three hymns, “The Sands of Time,” “How Brightly Shine,” and “The Day is Ended.” This was quite an acceptable selection for Hie occasion and provided an equally acceptable variety in what was altogether an exceptionally good programme of snored music and pleasant entertainment.

Before the final number of the evening, the Revd. .T. V. Hayward, Chairman of Abe Fund, thanked the Band for its kindness in coining forward with so pleasing a perlonnance, and congratulated Mr Boss, the conductor, and the members of the Band on their outstanding success. •Mr Hayward thanked also Miss Oilloolv and the Presbyterian Choir for their special help, and also Mr McIntosh who had placed Princess Theatre at their disposal that evening free of charge for the benefit. In thanking the audience, Mr Hayward said the collection taken up consisted of 260 coins of a sterling value of cs 7s od, and stated it must have been a. pleasure to contribute to so deserving and worthy an object. In commending the object in hand. Mi Hayward also took occasion to thank the Bailway staff for their help and the ladies and gentlemen who had contributed directly to the fund for wireless for the Mental Hospital. It seined to him that the liberality and movement displayed also an appreciation of the good work done by Dr Buchanan and stalf for the inmates of the institution. Tt was very pleasing that, it was so and lie was pleased to'acknowledge the generosity of the people in the matter.