THE FOURTH “SING"

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11194, 27 April 1922, Page 4

THE FOURTH “SING"

TOWN HALL CROWDED. ANOTHER GREAT SUCCESS. ' The fourth “community sing,” held at the> Town Hall during the dinnerhour yesterday, afforded further proof .—if further proof were needed —of the great and growing popularity of this melodious method of mutual entertainment and inspiration. Mr Lawrence Watkins, the, leader of the “sing,” said that he was glad to see that community singing was catching on to such an extent that at a meeting at Kilbirnie on Monday night, those present whiled away in that fashion an unavoidable delay. He hoped to see the time when theatre cues would also break, into song to pass tho time of waiting till the doors opened. (Laughter.) Miss Gladys .Watkins presided at the pianoforte, Mr W. Goudie sang the solo parts of a number of the songs —“The Old Kentucky .Home,” “Can’t Think What’s the Matter,” and “The Old Brigade,” etc., the last-named being a most popular item. A small choir also assisted Mr Watkins in his task of leading the singing of the bumper house, which crowded the great hall. Many j had to be content with standing loom only, and though a considerable number had to leave for their Work at five minutes to one, their places were more than filled by others who thronged in. -Among the other well-known songs sung—a. number “by request,” as Mr Watkins put it, “which, being interpreted, means in response to an urgent demand from the body of the hall—were “Land of Hope and Glory,” “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag,” “Swanee River,’’ “Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes,” and “Here’s a Health Unto His Majesty.” All were sung with'a will, though all, clearly, were not equally familiar to the audi-ence-singers. Sir Watkins, however, made the singers repeat the verses and choruses which did not run too well: and by pitting one side of the hall against the other, or the galleiiy against the body or the hall, introduced a spirit of emulation which quickly improved the harmony and greatly increased the volume of sound. The humorous song, “There Were Three Crows Sat on a Tree,’ evoked no little mirth, especially when, at the appointed timea, the audience obeyed to the best of ite ability Mr Watkins's injunction to “crow, not like a rooster, hut like a crow.” Saying this, Mr Watkins flapped his arms as if they were wings and emitted a quite respectable “Caw, caw,” greatly to the delight of the audience,

The announcement that next Wednesday’s sing is to be led by Mr Albert Russell was received with loud applause. Hearty votes of thanks, carried by acclamation and with musical honours, were accorded Mr and Miss Gladys Watkins, and tho National Anthem brought the “sing” to a close.