NELSON SCHOOL OF MU-IC.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 262, 13 December 1894, Page 2

NELSON SCHOOL OF MU-IC.

PUPILS' CONCERT,

The pupils of the Nelson School of Music made their first appearance in public last evening in the Harmonic Hall, before a large audience. The teachers of the school and most of the managing directors were present. The performers on stringed instruments were presented by Herr BalHug, the singers t>y Mrs Houlker, and the performers on the pianoforte by Miss Duguale. The general impression left was a very favourable one, while some of the performances reached a high level of jxcellence. Of course it is impossible for a school which has only been working for two terms to leave very distinct traces of its individuality on its pupils ; and besides this, many of last night's performers had, as was admitted afterwards, undergone considerable training at the hands of private teachers before the establishment of the school. But there was enough' to prove that good and valuable . work is being done, and those who are interested in the welfare of the school must have felt satisfied with the progress that has been made. Solos on stringed instruments were given by the Misses Houlker and Francis, and Messrs F. Strong, Crump, and Street. The vocalists "were Miss Hunt, Messrs It. Black, and F. Kidson, and the players were the Misses Webb-Bowen (2), Perrin, Tasker, Wright, and Kempthome. There were, besides, a vocal trio by the Misses F. Scaly, Cachemaille, and Pitt, a ladies' part song, and a string concerted piece by some already named, along with others. It would be ou( of place to enter into a detailed criticism ol the performance. The defects were those of immaturity, and such as might naturallj be expected at the first concert of an Insti tution still in its infancy ; while the merits were distinctly mai'ked, and afforded hop< and encouragement for the future. Th< solos on violin, viola, and violoncelh showed a good style of bowing, and firm accurate stopping ; fulness and purity o tone will come by degrees. The vocalist: sang in tune, and showed careful and re fined training. The pianists held thei hands firmly over the keys, played with i full round touch, and were free from affec tation or nervousness. At the close of the performance M Graham, M.H.R., came forward to presen the prizes and certificates. He explains that the prizes were on this occasion tin gifts of the teachers, the certificates onl; being the official recognition of progres bestowed by the School. He said that ii the case of other educational institution they were obliged to rely on examiners' reports for evidence of the progress made but in the case of their youngest educa tional institution they had evidence of ; more direct kind. He was sure that the; would all agree with him that that evidenc was of a very satisfactory kind. They hai proof that the teaching of the School wa sound and good. The speaker then wen on to point out the very great advantage afforded by the School at the minimum rat of charge, under such a staff as they had a present. He was quite aware that" all tha they had heard that night could not 1b considered the work of a school which ha only been in existence for two terms ; bu on the other hand some of the player 3 ha absolutely commenced their musical ediicE tion in it. He hoped the young people c Nelson, however hard they had to wor during the day would give Jtheir evening to the study of music, and take advantag of the opportunities offered them. He ha first to present prizes on behalf of Her Balling to Miss Houlker, Mr J Street, and Mr F. Strong. Miss Dus dale's parents had offered two medal to her pupils, one for " Industry in Pra< tice," which was awarded to Miss Taskei the other for^" Pianoforte Playing," whic Avas awarded'on the result of that evening performance to Miss Dora Webb-Bower Miss Dugdale presented a prize to Mis Cissie St. John. Mrs Houlker's prizes wei awarded to Miss Hunt and Mr It. Blacl The certificates presented by the Scho< Trustees as evidence of progress were ver numerous, and could be had on applicatio to Mr Huffam, the Secretary. Mr Pitt moved a vote of thanks to M Graham, and that gentleman bowed hi acknowledgments. It should be mentioned that the medals which were cut in Wellington, had a ver pretty design sketched by Mrs E. E. TV Cooke (Miss Morgan) of Nelson,