Scottish Concert at Mataura.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 15, 3 August 1895, Page 2

Scottish Concert at Mataura.

A concert was given in Humphries Hall last night by the Matanra Choral Society. Unfortunately th-re was only an average attendance, occasioned possibly by tbe rigorous weather, or from the number of entertainments which have lately taken place at Mataura. Part of tbe proceeds frill be given to the fund already established for the purpose of getting up an athen&um at Mataura, the balance to go towards the fund to procure an organ for the public school. The stagn was tastefully decorated with artificial flowers and evergreens, and a few rugs gavd a warm appearance to the surroundings. Dr Hepdry, who wielded the baton during . the evening, opened the proceedings with a few remarks, thanking the audience for their _ attendance. He stated there would be do encores, but, as usual, this was somewhat departed from. , 'J he first item on the program me was a : violin iolo, ' Ye Binks and Braes, 1 by Miss j Craig (accompanied on the piano by her. J sister), which was a decided treat. The M Barae ladies pWyed Scottish selections in 9 the second part with great taste, for which jaM they received an enthusiastic encore. Thj^HH first chorus rendered by the choir of overJPJHB voices was ' The Hundred Pipers,' wfeieK #T> - heartily done justice to, and at is conclusion the bagpipes were played at the back of the stage to the satisfaction of a decidedly Scottish audience. Miss M. Cameron followed with 'Sing to me the Auld Scotch Sangs,' the first time she has sung it in public. The young lady has been better Buited, but sang very nicely. Mr R. li Begg played some sweet selections on the_ English concertina, and later on appeared again. On both occasions he received an encore. Toe choir then sang 'The Bonnie Woods o' . Craigilee.' after which Mr Stewart gave I ' The Highlandman's Toast.' A debutante in i the person of Miss Nellie Clark, played on I the violin • The Bluo Bells of Scotland,' and 1 had to reappear, and was, without doubt, a | credit to her preceptor. The choir now I favored the audience with 'Wha Wulna I Pecht for Charlie,' followed by a quartette, s •The Rowan Tree,' by Misses McKay and "** Mac Gibbon and Messrs Hendry and Connor. Tha choir finished the first part of the programme with the chorus • Duncan Grn.y." Mias Cameron, after an interval of five minutes, opened the second part with a pianoforte solo, which was brilliantly played. • We're a' Noddin,' by tha choir, was succeeded by Miss Balneivea (another debutante) playing 'Duncan Gray' with variations on the violin, very sweetly.' She received a well-merited encore. Like Mellie Clark, aha shows promise o£ becoming an excellent player. The duet, 'OWertThou • in the Cauld Blast,' by the Misses Mac-^ Gibbon, was nicely sung. 'Cistleß in the' *- Air.' by Mrs Mcßae. was warmly applauded. Dr Hendry sang ' Green Grows the Rashes, O. tbe choir joining in the chorus. Mr A. Clark's song. My Pretty Jane'— the aong which caused a furore in London and the Urge provincial towns cf Britain over forty years aeo— was decidedly the best aong of the evening, and fairly brought the house down. A quartette. •My Nannie's Awa,' by the Missjs Mac Gibbon and Dalton and Messrs Henderson and Walton, was creditably executed. The choir brought the concert to a close with 'Come Under My Plaidie.'