Fine Singing by Girls’ High School

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 276, 21 November 1942, Page 2

Fine Singing by Girls’ High School

With the happy reputation enjoyed by the Palmerston North Girls’ High School for excellent singing in the school under the direction of Aliss Alona Dean, L.R.A.AI., it was not surprising that the Assembly hall was filled to overflowing on Thursday evening for the singing recital arranged to augment the funds of the. Pai-ents’ Association. Before the programme opened, the principal, Aliss E. E. Stephens, explained that the girls wanted to make this gestui'e in appreciation of the generosity of the Parents’ Association in pi'esenting the school with a fine piano. The programme had not been specially pi'epared, Aliss Stephens said, but comprised a few selections representative of the ordinary school work. The audience was most appreciative of the good fare provided and the evident enjoyment of the girls in making lovely music together. In the numbers presented by individual classes, thei'e were captivating traditional music and offerings of the old masters, mostly In unison, but some in two and three parts, disclosing fine tone and nice musical appreciation, particularly in the difficult “Jesu, Joy of Alan’s Desiring’’ (Bach). The second section included contributions by the school choir, of notable interest being the impressive hymn, “St. Michael and All Saints’* composed specially for the school by Winifred Dean. By request, Alozart’s “Lullaby” was included and this was sung with fine feeling while the carol, ’A Christmas Blessing” sung unaccompanied in three parts by picked voices, was the artistic highlight of the evening. The singing by the whole school representative of morning assembly work, was magnificent with excellent tone, attack and enunciation, and I some nice descant work. The interpretation of the hymn, “Thou Whose Almighty Word” would compare more than fav-' ourably with old established choirs and i there was a challenge, and hope, as fresh young voices rang out in the lines “So shall we build Jerusalem In England’s green and pleasant land,” which concluded the programme. By special request, the two hymns and unaccompanied carol were repeated. The accompaniments were played by Mavis Hartley, Marion Bailey, Julanne Perrin, and Jocelyn Hodges. On behalf of the Par- ! ents’ Association, Alarion Bailey presented Aliss Dean with a fan-shaped bouquet and voiced the appreciation of the I girls in her interest in their work. . Mr. I T. P. Hart added the thanks of all pres- j ent to Miss Dean. He took the oppor- j tunity of returning thanks to all who had assisted with the recent gala day, par- l ticularly the conveners, Alesdames G. C. i Petersen and O. Doel, Aliss Stephens and her staff. The result had been a record, t the nett profits with the £l2 raised that evening being £l3O.