Presbyterian Church Concert.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 15, Issue 1181, 3 May 1892, Page 4

Presbyterian Church Concert.

There was a capital house in the Gore Town Hall on Friday evening, when a concert was given by members of the Presbyterian choir, in aid of the building fund of the church. The programme opened with " Men of Harlech," spiritedly tjiven by the choir, who sang a number of other selections during the evening, the best, of which were "The Skye Boat Song " and " Weel May the Keel Row," but all were well rendered, and showed the great strides the choir has made o c late under Mr Brett's guidance. Miss Morgan was first on the list of soloists, and her rendering of " Good Night, Not Good* bye" was very, acceptable, though, to our mind, the lady's singing loses much effect through too constant employment of the tremolo. Mr PU. Ferguson gave promise of great things with " Eocked in the Cradle of the Deep," but, through nervousness probably, was faulty in some of. the low notes. Mr J. Graham sang " In Happy Moments," and was well received, and Mr Boyne exploded any idea that his concert career was over by a capital rendering of "The Seaman's Star." Miss Kate Macara showed herself to be of one of the sweetest voices <n these pa.rts, and her rendering of " The Soldier's Tear " was deservedly encored. In " Over the Eolling Sea," a rollicking nautical song, Mr O. Calder vras well suited, and brought down the house. Mrs Gilchrist gave a very expressive rendering of " The Land o' the Leal," and deserved the warm applause that followed. "The Song that Pleached my Heart" was Mr George Wood's contribution, and excited the most vociferous encore of the evening, Qhildren from Gordon School, under the direction of Miss Morgan, gave some part songs very ■ticely, and a Gipsy song, by the Misses Low and Pollock, brought the first part to a successful close. The second part consisted of Scotch items, and was opened by an instrumental | selection by Mr and Mrs McQ iw and! Mr A. Brown, whiah was spiritedly given i and much appreciated. Mrs Scott sang | " The Lament of Flora Macdonald," and Miss McLean gsve " Jessie the Flower o' Dunblane," both popular items with the " chiels frae the land o' cakes." Mrs Brett gang " Loch Lomond" with that perfeet taste and expression which always characterises her singing, and, undoubtedly, this song was the gem of the evening. It was loudly encored. Miss Macara was well suited with " A Wee Bird Cam," and fully deserved the warm reception accorded. Miss A. Scott, another young and promisine vocalist, gave "Jock o' Hazeldean with assurance, and showed herself to be possessed of a powerful voice which will well repay cultivation. One of the most enjoyable items was left to the last—" S6me!thMl , §cotch," by Mr Watt, who gave a.most amusing reputation, and, in response to an enepre, re r cited a very dramatic poem excellently. Mr G. Brett acted as musical director, and played the accompaniments with bis customary skill and taste. A good arrangement, considering the length of the programme, was that in no case should an encore number be given, and the last I verse simply waß repeated when any I was recalled.