CAVERSHAM SCHOOL CHOIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18736, 14 December 1922, Page 4

CAVERSHAM SCHOOL CHOIR

AN EXCELLENT CONCERT. There was nothing- about eithpr tlio dimensions or the enthusiasm of the audience within His Majesty's Theatre list night to indicate that the school choir performing there had happened upon one of the dirtiest and most ■uninviting nights of the season. The fact that the Jarg6 theatre was filled in every part on such a night was indeed striking proof of the high repute that the girls jmd boys of (he Caversham School have won for their choral singing under the leadership of their gifted conductor, -Mr A. -ii. Kobinson. Mr Robinson had about ltta of the school pupils under his baton, and they made a very line sight as the curtain rose upon them, dressed all in white and ranged t:er above tier seated in perfect order. The choral items which made tip the great bulk of the programme were accompanied by two pianos and an organ. The ! choir 'undertook a wide variety of music j grave and gay, light and not at all light, and in it all the youngsters achieved conspicuous success. To any who had not previously had the pleasure of hearing them the intelligence of tjieir interpretation, the clearness of their enunciation, and the perfect control of their conductor must have been a revelation. Their opening number was "Brothers, Tune the Lay," followed immediately by a stirring rendering of the famous "Soldiers' Chorus." Most pleasing and charming, each in its own fashion, was their rendering of "Who Will o'er the Downs?" and "Waiata Poi." In "Choice of Games," with a "John Brown's Body" chorus, there was plenty of scope for vigorous action that suited the children admirably, and they threw themselves into it with delightful zest. It was no wonder t|hat this, was one of the numerous items that had to be repeated. The lightness and brightness of "Where the Bee Sucks" Mas well brought out by the children, who were also most effective in a quaint old English song, "Tree in the Wood." "O Hush Thee my Baby" was a number greatly enjoyed, but probably some of the most strikingly beautiful effects of the evening were achieved in the "Echo Song." In this the perfect control rasulting from long and skilful training was very clearly evidenced. The "Echo Song," with its haunting. Sweet echoes fading away slowly to nothing, was also numbered among the inevitable encores. "P.adoo." a most amusing action song which had to be partly repeated, brought Ihe first part of the programme to a close. In singing with fine accuracy and harmony two songs in one entitled "The Mixture," the choir accomplished some very clever work. The "Chinese Medley" proved most bright and entertaining, and the choral march, "Forward Together," went with a fine swing. The final bracketed numbers were "The Story of Jack Horner," recorded with ample expressive action, and the- tuneful and appropriate ''The Day is Waning." In quantity alone the performance was a most remarkable one to be given by school children in one evening ; but when it is •'£- membered that the quality of the work was uniformly high it. will be seen that Caversham, choir has distinct claims to be regarded as unique. Moreover, a largo number of the choir children took part in various other items yet to be referred to. Five boys won great, favour with tSicir singing of ''Sweetheart," which had to be_ repeated. Solos were contributed by Misses B Coventry ("Lilac Tree" and "By low. mv baby") and C. Rosevear ("Birth of Morn" and "O Wert, Thou in the Cauld Blast"), and recitations by Miss L. Wreathall ("The Waif"), each of whom had to respond <o the demand for an encore. Very pretttv, neat, and tuneful was the dancing dolls item by Misses Rose Ryder and Edie Ritchie who as an encore number gave "Gretchen and Hans." "The Olden Fight" burlesque, in which a dozen girls and a score or so of boys took part, proved one of the most amusing conceptions one could ..wish to see. The "fight" was first announced by a solemn herald in gorgeous apparel. After him came two gay buglers. tJien a marching troupe of squires, and eventually the pompous contestants themselves and their seconds. The combatants did battle with large balls on the end of a string, and when the string broke and the ball flew across the footlights, as it did more than once, the, delight of the audience knew no bounds. Eventually one of the redoubtable pair "took the count." and the comedy of his attendance by the Red Cross squad, his revival by the bugler, and his final carrying out in triumphal procession was both clover and pretty. The "Community Sing" that opened the second half was an original and most entertaining item. Some .50 of the children dressed to represent various typical members of the community gathered with much comedy, and their singing was conducted by Master Leslie Soilness. Most, of their singing wa/5 simply burlesque, but there were three items—- " Annie Laurie," "Funiculi, Funioula," and some topical verses—that showed how delightfully tuneful their fresh young' voices were when they liked to use them. The topical verses, which were easily heard, were distinctly clever, and various references to election results, to 'the workers' cottages at Corstorphine waiting for men with plenty of money, to the need for a new school at Caversham, and to Miss J. Given, a most popular mistress, who is shortly leaving, were very heartily applauded. Very pretty was the item "April Showers" rendered by five girls, each carrying floral baskets, and not less popular was the English chanty, "As I walked out," sung with excellent effect by nine little sailor boys. The piano accompaniments throughout the evening were provided by Hisses Ruby Hudson and Doris Gardner, and Mr G. T. Palmer presided at the organ. If any criticism of such a thoroughly creditable and enjoyable entertainment is to be made it wouid be that the programme erred slightly on tne side of generosity. As oncores can always bo relied on in such circumstances the omission of several of the choir items would still have left a nrdgrarnme lasting well over two hours. While tihe performance was creditable to everyone in any way concerned with it, chief credit is clearly due to Mr A. H. Robin-' son, who must have felt fully rewarded for all his labours in knowing that this year's choir had fully maintained the reputation of its predecessors, if it has not actually enhanced it. 'lhe entertainment opened in the orthodox way with a verse of the National Anthem, the singing of which the audience wisely left to the children. When it closed in the same manner the audience for once forgot, its haste, and heard the verse through standing still.