Convent School Concert.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3252, 4 September 1917, Page 5

Convent School Concert.

The Dominican Nuns have every reason b oe gratified with the result of the concert given by their pup.s on Wo inesday evening fast. Seld- ni e\v has such a large audience !«••*:! a<~f-i:l»'c 1 in the Town Hal! a> t ;ai which awaited the ri.-e <'! the curtain on the occasion in question. Indeed, the building was uncomfortably fuli. However, as the Harrison Hali is at present undergoing repairs the nuns naa but Hobson's choice leT: them in respect of the place in which to hold the entertainment.

The opening item was a boys' chorus entitled "Our Boys, which was a popular nurnoer. The litt e Kindergarteners then introduced their performance, and a charming one it was. 'Twould be an audience with a heart of stone that would not give evidence of being stirred to enthusiasm by the efforts o r a band of such dainty, fascinating wee mites as warbled their little song with ali the sweet unconsciousness of babyhood. Misses K. Murchison and N'eliio Kennedy next engaged attention with the well-known pianoforte duet, "(Qui Vive (Ganz), in which they showed that their musical studies are being pursue l to advantage. A recitation entitled '"Joey Joyce," was then given wliii very gojd effect by Master Tommy Mcßride. "The Drummers," an acton song ny the -mali loys of the school, was an attractive and amusing item. The dialogue which followed was very creditable indeed to the two little adwho took part in it, viz.. Crawford Mcßride and Willie Koch. They bad an immense amount of matter to remember and they thoroughly entered into the spirit of the piece. \gain Miss Monica Mcßride aided t ■ her reputation as a soloist of much promise. Sheapi»eaied twicoduring .he evening and, needless to remark, > oth her songs, "A May Morning and "Come, tor it's June," were rece;ved with very marked approval, encores being demanded and lai floral tribute being cast at her feet. There was unanimity of opinion in regard to the clul) swinging by the elder boys, this being voted one of the mo-t popular items on the programme. A sturdy quartette of Mr J. C. Mcßriiie's boys, Eric, Ronnie, Crawford and Tommy, gave a mo-t meritorious rendering of "A Boy's Best Friend is his "Mother,' Maintenance of pitch was no trouble to them and never were they guilty of false intonation. In a few years' time they should make a formidable male quartette. The remaining instrumental items were two pianoforte duets. One of these, or rather the bracketed numbers, "Grande Valse Hrillante," (Hunten) and "Galop Ilrlllant" (Behr) were cleverly played by Misses McCarthy and M. Collins. The other duettists were Misses "Lee and McCarthy, whose performance of a couple of Greig's compositions were distinctive in more respects than one. Both young ladies gave demonstration "that their studies have been carried into the realm of poetic thought and imagination. The star item on the programme was the cantata which gave the enteitainment its designation, namely, "An Evening in Flowurland," This was divided into three parts—The Council of the Flowers, The Council Decides, and The Coronation Scene. A very appropriate prologue gave introduction to the cantata, and Miss Ethel Gavin, who was entrusted with the linps, spoke them in a distinct and convincing manner. Thereafter thamu ic was in the hands of the echoo children and their singing was sweet and eminently satisfactory. Miss Alice McNeill took the part of The Rechuse and Miss Mary Koch filled the role of Queen. The principal solo work was undertaken by the former. Naturally enough the chief Interest centred in the Coronation scene which was very pretty and effective. The stage decoration of trellis, interwoven with many colored flowers, made a particularly appropriate setting for the cantata, and the pretty frocking of the children with their posies of llowers gave character to its production. A humorous play entitled "Mechanical Jane" was a fitting close to a feast

ot 'good things. The parts in this were capably sustained by Mis.s Julia McLeely (Pricilla), Miss R. John--tc-tie (Tabitlia) and Miss Beatrice Cronin (the title role). Misses Lee and McCarthy earned the sincere <>! "the performers by the sympathetic support they rendered in their accompanying work. At the interval Mr Gavin, on behalf of the nuns, returned thanks to the large audience for their attendance.

The door prize (an oil painting) was won by Mr Thos. Davidson.

The Queenstown Brass Band payed a short programme, of airs outside the Hall prior to the commencement of the concert.