WAVERLEY BAND CONCERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21979, 14 June 1933, Page 8

WAVERLEY BAND CONCERT

AN ENJOYABLE ENTERTAINMENT

A, delightful concert in aid of the instrument fund of the Waver ley Boys’ Band was given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber before a moderately large but highly appreciative audience last evening. The organisation of the concert was in the hands of Mr Ernest Drake, with the result that the standard of the musical fare provided was exceptionally high, a number of Dunedin’s best-known and most talented concert artists participating in the entertainment. The programme was excellently diversified, the wide variety of band numbers, vocal and instrumental solos, and elocutionary numbers being arranged in such a manner as to provide a well-balanced entertainment, and the audience’s expressions of appreciation were so enthusiastic that in the majority of cases encores had to be given. At the conclusion of the concert the band and the assisting artists were entertained to supper by Mrs L. F. M'Cormack. , The band opened the programme with a vigorous performance of selections from “ H.M.S. Pinafore,” and later in the evening played the march “Austria” in fine style. Miss Dora Drake sang Sanderson’s “ The Blackbird’s Song ” with charming expression, while Miss Mae Matheson's lovely soprano voice and finely developed artistic sense received delightful, expression in Bishop’s “ Love Has Eyes.” Miss Bertha Rawlinson’s rich contralto voice was heard to great advantage in Day’s “ Ring Bells, Ring,” of which she gave a beautifully shaded interpretation, Miss Dorothy Sligo being fully as successful in her presentation of “ Yilanelle,” by Del Acgua, a colourful and attractive number which she sang with fare competency. The difficult "One Fine Day,” from Puccini’s “ Madame Butterfly,” offered no insurmountable obstacles for Miss Lettie de Clifford, who was responsible for a deeply expressive rendition. Miss Ruby Price, a young singer of more than considerable promise, sang Helmond’s “Mother Dear,” .and the traditional Welsh number, “With\David to Town,” in highly attractive style, while Miss Kathleen-Bond gave a particularly enjoyable interpretation of Del Reigo’s “ The Reason.” Miss Evelyn Shepard and Miss Margaret Green were associated in a charming presentation of two * attractive compositions by Ford, “January” and “ May,” both of which were sung with appealing grace and charm, the two voices blending perfectly. Allitson’s rousing "Prince Ivan’s Song,” was an excellent vehicle for Mr Alexander M‘Doweirs > robust bass-baritone voice, this singer investing his performance with fine interpretative colouring. Mr John Kennedy’s rendition of “ I Seeh for Thee in Every Flower ” was a singularly attractive effort, his fine tenor voice and competent artistry making him an immediate favourite with the audience. Hahn’s “ Invictua ” received vigorous and impressive treatment by Mr E. G. Bond, who gave a fine exhibition of dramatic interpretation. Miss Eva Judd, one of Dunedin’s most popular solo violinists, played Kreisler’s “ Libesfreud ” and Vieutemps’ “ Reverie ’’ with .noteworthy executive skill and rich interpretative artistry. Master Robert Watkins, a boy soprano, who is the possessor of a voice of very sweet quality, sang /‘What a Wonderful World,” by Lohr, with nice expression. The musical portion of the entertainment was completed by a piano duo, Mendelssohn’s massive and exacting “Allegro con fuoco,” played by Miss Marjorie M'Dowell ana Miss Noeline Marshall. This was a virile and colourful performance, in which the two pianists worked in splendid sympathy, their technical and interpretative skill carrying them through a difficult task with flying colours. The elocutionary side of the programme was provided by Miss Anita Winkel, who gave “ Simple Simon,” and Mr Lester Holler, who presented “Mr Potter’s Sporting Summary," both performers being received with every mark of appreciation. The pianoforte accompaniments to the soloists were artistically played by Miss Aileen Young,