MUSICAL FESTIVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21263, 17 August 1932, Page 12

MUSICAL FESTIVAL

PRIMARY SCHOOLS' CONCERT

CHILDREN'S FINE SINGING

The great beauty of massed children's voices was fully convoyed by tho fine concert given by the combined choirs of the Auckland primary schools before a crowded audience in the Town Hall last evening. Under the baton of Mr. E. Varley ifudson, the choir of over 500 voices, from 17 different schools, was under perfect control, while the enthusiastic manner in which the children entered into the spirit of every piece, from grave to gay, was a proof of the musical understanding and appreciation that they had acquired.

Tho first massed choral item was Parry's "England," in which tho clear enunciation and vivid expression were particularly pleasing. The next bracket comprised ''The Ride of the Witch," an item which was obviously enjoyed by the children, and, of a different type, the'beautiful old Welsh air, "The Ash Grove." Scottish and Irish music wero represented by "Caller ITerrin' " and "In Dcrry Vale," in both of which, as in "The Ash Grove," descants sung by the Normal School Choir added unusual beauty to the ever-popular airs. The final massed choral bracket included "Widdecombo Fair," which wa s treated in a particularly bright and effective way, and the old round, "Summer is a-Comin' In," sung in four parts for children's voices, with a twopart ground bass. Several individual schools contributed fino items. Bayfield school opened this portion of the programme with the popular Welsh air, "All Through the Night" and "See Our Oars," both pieces being treated in a delicate manner. Gladstone school gave a fine rendering of tho melodious "Kentucky Babe" and tho moro ambitious "Song on May Morning," in which tho children showed fine expression and modulation. Tho Westmero school's two numbers, "The Sands Dee" and the vigorous Scottish air, ''The Road to tho North," proved also very popular. Handel's charming song, "Ask if Yon Damask Rose," was chosen for the Normal School's first item, its second being "The Camel's Hump," and in both types it was equally successful. Great vivacity of expression was evidenced by the Stanley Bay school in its two splendid numbers, "A Wot Sheet and a Flowing Sea" and "Old King Colo." A delightful feature was the series of old English folk dances given by tho Birkenhead school, and, in costume, by the Edendale school." Ono of the most effective items on the whole programme was the minuet, in full period costumo, given by the Ivowhai Junior Iligh School. The danco was most gracefully executed and the duet was sung sweetly. This evening tho festival will be concluded with a concert to be given in the Town Hall by combined "troys' and girls' secondary schools, under the baton of Mr. 11. Hollinrake. In addition to a fine programme of massed choral numbers, including excerpts from Gluck'a opera "Orpheus," there will be orchestral numbers, also poi dancing.