COMMUNITY SINGING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11224, 1 June 1922, Page 5

COMMUNITY SINGING

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. The community singing fever still rages unabated. It seems to be attacking householders more virulently than the business people in the city, for every weekly gathering at the Town Hall shows a greater proportion of folk who have obviously come from their homes for the enjoyment of the hour than of singers who are merely seeking a pleasant respite from their office toil. Elderly people of both sexes again predominated at yesterday’s sing. A couple of hundred people had assembled in the big hall an hour before 12.30 o’clock, and every seat was occupied when Mr C. E. Webb, the leader for the day, and his assistants, took the platform. The committee had made no provision for an overflow meeting, on account of difficulty in securing leaders, but the situation was relieved by Mr G. M. Silver and Mrs Albert Russell, who offered to officiate as leader and accompanist respectively in tho Concert Chamber. Mr Webb was assisted by Miss Dorothy Mills ns accompanist, Mr Howard Foster (the local vocalist), and Mir'- Claud© Tanner (’cellist). Mr Foster gave a spirited rendering of “The Deathless Army,” and Mr Tanner provided an effective obligato to the old favourite, “The Perfect Day,” sung by the crowd with .much expression under Mr Webb’s direction. A number of the most popular songs in the printed song books were heartily sung. “Annie Laurie” was, at- the request of the leader, sung by the Scotch people present, and the Irish had their turn in “Killarney.” A novel effect, which greatly pleased the participants, was gained when two of the best-known songs were sung simultaneously by two sections of the hall; the people in the body of the hall heartily joined in “Pack Up Your Troubles,” which those in the tiered seats around the platform sang “It’s a Shoft, Short Life,” the two harmonising splendidly. At next week’s sing, Mr Maurice D’Oisly, the English tenor, will be the soloist, and Miss Rosina Buckman may also attend.

AT HATAITAI TO-MORROW EVENING.

The residents of Hataitai, who had a taste of the popular community singing at their householders’ meeting, are to have the opportunity of again lifting their voices in song this evening, at 8 o’clock, inV the Hataitai School. Many inquiries from people anxious to sing prompted the formation of a small committee, who have matters well in hand. A good programme has been arranged, including solos, and an enjoyable “sing” is am ticipated.

CAUGHT ON IN DUNEDIN

LARGE OVERFLOW GATHERING. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, May 31. “Community singing” has taken on in Dunedin, and is becoming increasingly popular. At the third “sing” today over four thousand persons sought to gain admission to the Octagon Hall, and! a large overflow gathering had to be catered for, the singing being led from the balcony of the hall.