JUVENILE CHOIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22740, 28 May 1937, Page 14

JUVENILE CHOIR

ARTISTIC PROGRAMME NEW AUCKLAND SOCIETY The enterprising spirit shown by a new society formed in Auckland recently by Miss Ida Holmes deserves every encouragement by musical people. Miss Holmes formed a juvenile choir of some .'3O choristers, which demonstrated last night in the Lewis Eady Hall that it. was capable of satisfactorily performing many good part songs. Throughout the evening the most striking feature in the work of the choir was the clarity of enunciation, which, although overdone at times, enabled all to hear every word distinctly. Having been well trained in phrasing and expression these children, whose ages range from eight to twelve years, were able to give artistic renderings of their numbers, each of which was received with much enthusiasm. Among the part songs were "Sweet and Low" (Barubv), "Happy Song" (Ida Holmes), "Andantino" (Lemare, arr. Ida Holmes), "The Flowers That Bloom" (Sullivan) and "Sleep, Little Ones." .Mendelssohn's "Duetto," which was set to words by Miss Holmes, proved an attractive item, while the action song "Keys of Heaven" won for the choir prolonged applause from the fairly large audience present. Miss Gwen Morris sang very sweetly Brahms' "Cradle Song," while Miss Margaret Cadness, who was heard in Schubert's "Who is Sylvia," shows considerable promise as a vocalist. An instrumental trio consisting of Miss Ida Moore, -violin, Miss Winifred Moore, 'cello, and Mrs. Iris Farrellv. piano, was heard in "Ave Maria" (Schubert), "Hindoo Song" (Remberg) and "Open Thy Blue Eyes" (Massenet). Her youth, dexterity and quick and delicate musical feeling earned for Miss Leela Bloy, violinist, a handsome tribute of praise and encouragement. "Introduction et Rondo . Capriccioso " (Saint-Saens), "Saltarelle" (Alard), "Rondino" (Beet-hoven-Kreisler) and "Dragon Fly" all called for technical skill.