PEACE CHOIR CONCERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17730, 15 September 1919, Page 7

PEACE CHOIR CONCERT

FINAL APPEARANCE. Tho Peace Celebrations Choir gave their final performance, boforo disbanding, in thn Kensington Drill Hell on Saturday night. The Mayor (Mr W. B:'/rg} presided. It had been announced that the proceeds of tile concert would bo divided between the Soldiers' Memorial Club Buildintr Fund and the various city bands, and, in view of this, and the fact that it was to bo ths choir's last performance, the attendance was somewhat disappointing. Thoro wero probably between 1200 and 1503 peopio pre- • sent to listen to a ohoir itself some 6CO or 700 strong; but the audience, though not a large one, was enthusiastic a«d generous in rewarding the choir and several of tho city band?, who had marched out to tho hall earlier in the evening and contributed a number of items during the courso of tho concert. Round tho hall, on tho b?ams supporting - t.ie gallery, were arranged the tablets which were hung in tho central portion of Princfts street during th:> peace celebrations, somo a u-° ra "with the national colours of tho Allies, and others inscribed with the battles ;n which tho New Zealand Division took The <*hcir, under tho direction of Mr Paget Gale, was accommodated, as J boforo. on a raised platform. The concert was opened by the choir, j Cl l- ® ave British, French, Belgian, and New Zealand National Anthems with true martial spirit and a pood volume of tone. ''Loclriel's Lament." which was played by tl» Duncdm Highland Pipe Band, was both a tribute to Scotland'o magnificent rocruitinsr record in a war that, far more than Floddcn, lias spread sorrow aiul mourning" over her moors and glens, and - to the m.-mory of all who fell on tho field of battle. Following that the choir sang " Rule Britannia/' and thus rccogmse<l the silent service that made it possible to us to win the war. The choir's other items were "Men of Harlech," 44 Now Wo Are," "Hail to the N Chief/' and the "Hallelujah Chorus." All these,. A selections were rendered very effectively, fact which was thoroughly appreciated by try* audience? Selections by each of . tho Kaikorai, 4th - Ctago Regimental, and St. Kilda Bands i were ell very popular, and gave much pleasure and the stirring strains of 44 Sons of e .n , a, V P la S" e d by tlra' massed bands, thrilled the assemblage. Several well-kn»wn vocalists assisted in i tho concert, and they were all recalled to satisfy tho demand? of their auditors. - ~ Miss E. Smith choso the "Hiberna" song from "Carmen" as her offering, and ; 3 Muss Pndham sang "Thorns a Land " with - power and expression. Mr H. N. Satterthwaite gave " Tho Company Sergeantmajor," and Mr "Rawlinson's fine baritone voice was advantageously heard in "The • floral Dance." The concert concluded with the National Anthom. Before the choir dispersed Mr Gale made reference to the splendid work done by tbo six accompanists. Hearty cheers were given for them, and the members of tho choir sang with vigour "For they are jolly good Vv fellows. r"