BLIND PERFORMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22584, 24 November 1936, Page 12

BLIND PERFORMERS

NOTABLE PROGRAMME TWO THOUSAND ATTEND A musical treat was offered to an audience of about 2000 persons in the Town Hall last night, when a concert was held as a welcome homo to the band of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind on its return from a seven weeks' tour of the North Island. Apart from the novelty of its presentation by blind performers, the concert was a notable achievement, its variety being a particularly appealing feature. Before the opening of the main programme, selections were played by the Institute Girls' Orchestra, under Mr. and Mrs. S. Jackson, after which the director, Sir Chitha Mackenzie, referred to the success of the band's tour and to phases of the institute's general activities in keeping in touch with 931 blind persons throughout New Zealand. Marches, hymns and novelty items were offered bj r the band, under Lieutenant G. W. Bowes, and the playing reached a fine standard, both in solo and concerted work. The assistance of the Ist Battalion Auckland Regimental Band in the popular "Colonel Bogey" march proved particularly enjoyable. Dance favourites were featured by the Institute Dance Band, which won considerable applause, while three cormt solos by Mr. Allan Morton, New Zealand champion, greatly pleased the audience. With Mr. Thomas Taylor, and a band accompaniment, Mr. Morton also provided two splendid cornet duets. Other artists were Miss .Julian Loe, piano solo; Messrs. Joseph Papesch and Robert Martin, piano and pianoaccordion items ; Mr. Roberto Gheradi, xylophone selections, sea shanties and a humorous item, assisted by Mr. Frank Robinson, who also contributed a vocal solo. An exhibition of Braille .reading was given by Mr. James McGuire, and the radio personality "Peter," presented 2-j gifts of basketware made at the institute to members of the audience.