CHORAL FESTIVAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23858, 12 July 1939, Page 6

CHORAL FESTIVAL

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIRS THRILLING MASSED SINGING It is an often-stated truth that the children of to-day are ever so much more fortunate in the matter of education than were their grandparents and parents. They may not receive a better grounding in the “Three R’s”; but emphatically the cultural background against which they are being taught the fundamental subjects is a development which must have a powerful influence on their adult appreciation. This is being demonstrated to the general public from time to tiipe, or at least to those who have the inclination to be enlightened.

There was a notable illustration in the Town Hall last night, the occasion of the first primary schools’ choral festival held in Dunedin, Choirs from schools in all parts of the city and its environs sang unison and part songs, and the programme was brought to a climax by the singing of three songs by a massed choir of fully a thousand voices. In many ways it was an inspiring evening. Musically, it was a delight, the clear freshness of the voices being allied with consistently good enunciation and shadings. Also, it was a tribute to the enthusiasm of the committee responsible foi the organisation of the festival and to the ability of the respective teacherconductors to blend and coach thdr jfouthful choristers. It is not wise to encourage tne development of school activities into spectacles, and this festival was definitely a success of co-operation as distinct from inter-school rivalry. The setting was thoroughly appropriate, and it would indeed be aft unimaginative person who was not stirred by the singing of the full choir, assembled on the stage and in the front half of the hall with, the massiveness of the organ at its back. Mr George E. Wilkinson, lecturer in, music at the Dunedin Training College, the original sponsor -of the proposal to hold a festival, and one of those most intimately, responsible for its success, conducted from an improvised dais in the "middle of the hall, while Professor V. E. Galway was at the organ. Purcell’s “Nymphs, and Shepherds” was the first of the massed choir’s three numbers and the attractive melody was sustained by a clear tone that lost nothing of delicacy because Of its firmness., Foster’s two-part arrangement of “A Manx Spinning Song ” was equally well sung, the two sections blending perfectly. But it was in the singing of the magnificent “ Creation's Hymn” (Beethoven) that the choir excelled itself. Mr Wilkinson had it under absolute control despite its size, and the richness and strength of the interpretation was worthy ot its subject. The audience was so impressed that the hymn had to be repeated. Of the individual choirs no more need be said than that they maintained a . standard praiseworthy in every sense. The wide range of songs provided items to please almost any particular taste; and it was most pleasing to hear the meaning of the verse given so effectively to the music, and the Winds themselves so clearly enunciated. It Was noticeable that only two choirs sang to accompaniments played by pupils. No doubt the assistance of adult pianists was valuable, but encouragement of yoiing accompanists should .be considered. The choirs last evening were, so well trained that they required little leading from the piano. Altogether, the success of the festival should establish it as an annual event.