THE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11999, 23 June 1902, Page 6

THE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION

PRESENTATION OF RANFURLY

MEDALS.

The University College Musicial Students' Association held a very successful meeting at the College Buildings on Saturday evening. Sir Maurice O'Rorke (patron of the association) presided, and there was a good attendance of members and friends. The presentation of the two Ranfurly medals by the chairman was set down as part of the businiess of the evening. Sir Maurice O'Rorke, in making the presentation to the one successful competitor present, said the musical students of the college were very much indebted to Lady Ranfurly for having ever since she came to the colony given them two medals annually for competition. The winners last year were Mr. W. F. Forbes and Miss Muriel Blades. He was sorry that Mr. Forbes, who was on a visit to his old home, was not present that evening to receive the reward of his studies, but his medal had been forwarded to him by the registrar (Mr. Runciman) by last month's mail. The other winner (Miss Blades) was present, and he warmly congratulated her on her success. He would have much preferred that, as in former years, he could on this occasion have had the pleasure of accompanying the* winner of the medal to Government House, of introducing her to the Countess of Ranfurly, and of witnessing the presentation of the medal by Her Ladyship. Unfortunately, however, the medals did not come to hand till after the return of the Governor's party to Wellington, but he hoped that Miss Blades would accompany him, in order to be introduced to Lady Ranfurly, when he took this year's medallists to Government House. He quoted some verses by Moore on the powerful and soothing influences of music, and in conclusion he expressed his satisfaction at seeing Dr. W. E. Thomas present on this occasion. He spoke most highly of Dr. Thomas' abilities, and hoped he would long continue to fill the positions of head of the School of Music in the University and of conductor of the Choral Society. Sir Maurice then presented the medal to Miss Blades, who was heartily applauded on coming forward. Dr. Thomas thanked the chairman for his kind remarks regarding the students and himself, and moved a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Maurice for presiding that evening. The vote was carried by acclamation. The following concert programme was rendered dnriing the evening: Duet, "Overture" (Mozart), Miss Estelle Davis and Miss A. M. Wilson: violin solo, "Sonata in A" (Handel), Miss Doris Boult; piano solo, " Adagio Cantabile, op. 13" (Beethoven), Miss Gertrude Davidson : song, " The Dawn of Peace" (W. E. Thomas), Miss Ethel Boulton; piano solo, " Invitation to the Dance" (Weber), Miss Eveline Webb; song, "A City by the Sea" (Gerald Lane), Mr. W. Martin; piano solo, " Polonaise" (Chopin), Miss Adams; song, " The Beating of my Heart" (Macfarren), Miss Lorrigan; piano solo, " Adagio and Presto, op. 33" (Mendelssohn), Miss Rosa Binstead; quartette, "The Deep Repose of Night" (Mendelssohn), Miss Ethel Boulton, Miss Mary Laing, Mr. W. Martin, and Dr. Thomas. The triumph of the evening was Miss Ethel Boulton's rendition of "The Dawn of Peace," composed by Dr. Thomas. She received an imperative encore, and in response she repeated the last verse.