RETURNED SERVICES’ CHOIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25083, 26 November 1942, Page 6

RETURNED SERVICES’ CHOIR

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT The Returned Services’ Choir gave its second concert of the present season in the Concert Chamber last night, and once again it presented a programme which met with the wholehearted approval of the audience. The singing demonstrated that the choir had had careful rehearsals under the baton of Mr L. B. Borrow, and its efforts were materially assisted by the tasteful and unobtrusive accompaniments of Miss Sybil Baker. The programmes of music presented by the choir are always judiciously selected, and the numbers given last night lacked nothing in popular appeal—in fact, both the choir and the various soloists had to respond to numerous encores. The choir’s opening number was the part-song “ Prayer of Thanksgiving,” a Dutch folk song (Dr Baker), and it was charmingly sung with nice light and shade, and that comment also applied to the many other items rendered. " Who Sails With Drake? ” (Candish), "The Deathless Army” (H. Trotere), and "Sword of Ferrara” (Field Bullard) were part-songs appropriate to world affairs to-day, and in contrast was “ In Sunny Devon ” (Franz Abt), the singing of which earned a spontaneous encore. Apart from the items by the choir, a fine array of talent had been secured for the various solos and duets, and every one of these was encored. Mr P. Hanna’s programme numbers were " Silent Worship ” (Handel) and "Smilin’ Through” (A. Penn). The well-known popular cornetists, Messrs E. Kerr, senior and junior, were heard in some really outstanding playing: Miss Rena Roche, who has a fine contralto voice, and knows how to use it, was heard to advantage in " Lament of Isis” (Bantock). “Somebody's Knockin’ at Your Door ” (Edna Thomas), and " How Changed the Vision” (Handel), and Miss Sybil Baker and Mrs P. Westland charmed with their piano duets, these including

" Witches’ Dance” (McDowell) and a selected number. An enjoyable concert concluded with the singing of the partsong "Abide With Me" (arr. by L. W. Borrow), and the National Anthem.