SCOTTISH CONCERT

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 62

SCOTTISH CONCERT

A VARIED ENTERTAINMENT. The many lovers of Scottish music in Dunedin were well catered for at the concert which was given on Thursday evening in the Town Hall in aid of a fund to provide the John ATGlashan College with a Highland Pipe Band. The entertainment was arranged by the Council of Dunedin Scottish Societies. There was a large attendance, and the function proved to be a financial success, the fund reciving a substantial donation as a result of the effort.

During the course of the programme, Mr T. C- Ross, chairman of the Board of Governors of the college, briefly addressed the audience, thanking the performers for their assistance and the public for the support accorded the entertainment.

The programme was commenced with several pipe selections by the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band, under Pipe-major A. ATAlillan. These were — “ Lockanside.” “Tel-el-kebir,” “Athol] Cummers,” and “ Ree] o’ Tulloch.” Later in the evening the band also rendered “ 25th King’s Own Scottish Borderers,” “ Maori Canoe Song,” “Stirling Castle,” and “Jack Wilson’s Reel.”

The St. Kilda Municipal Brass Band was heard in two enjoyable selections. “ Alemories of Scotland ” was a medley of many well-known Scottish airs, and this was followed by a spirited march. Mr John Kennedy’s pleasing tenor voice was heard in “ Afton Water,” which was sung with considerable feeling. If anything. “ Mary of Argyle,” which Mr Kennedy sang as an encore, was an even more acceptable item.

The ATGlashan College Boys' Choir, conducted by Air T. S. Holme, presented Alendelsshon’s “O, Wert Thou in the Canid Blast,” hut sang it rather too quickly to give the best effect. Their encore number was rendered with no little display of artistry and it wa s made evident that there are some fine voices in the choir. The “ Reel o’ Tulloch ” was presented by Alisses D. Allen, D. Wheeler, Al. B. Lee, and Flora MacDonald, who also danced a Highland Reel very gracefully. The music for the dancing was supplied b.v Piper A. ATAlillan. One of the most outstanding items on the programme was Aliss Ethel Wallace’s rendering of the violin solo “ Fantasia of Scottish Airs” (Alurdoch). This item included several national tunes well known to all, and their delicate treatment by the instrumentalist gave them a new allure. Aliss Wallace was also heard in a second selection, which provided plenty of opportunity for the display of her control of her instrument.

The Columba College Girls’ Choir, under the baton of Aliss Ida White, sang three tuneful numbers in “ Early Spring, ’ “The Lark’s Grave,” and “Go, Lovely Rose.” The last two songs were sung very prettily in two parts, and the first was given as a unison song. The choir was augmented considerably when it again appeared on the platform to present the unison song “England” (Parry), the canon, “O Beautiful A'iolet ” (Reinecke), and Dunhill’s “Pilgrim’s Song,” all of which were tastefully presented. Begg’s Orchestra, conducted by Air J. F. Himbttrg, offered a medley of Scottish airs which was well received. Aliss Fred Elmes’s fine mezzo voice was heard to considerable advantage in “ Within a Mile o’ Edinburgh Toon.” and her rendering of “Coinin’ Through the Rye” as an encore item left nothing to be desired. A team of boys from the ATGlashan College gave a display of physical drill which amply proved that that department of education is receiving due attention at the college. The whole display was extremely effective, the boys following the orders of the leader of the equal with the utmost precision. One of the most popular items on the programme was “ Hail Caledonia,” sung by Air Arthur Macdonald, whose voice is well known on the Dunedin concert platform. Air Alacdonald also sang “ The Leader of the Town Brass Band ” in a manner which drew the full approval of the audience. The final item on a long p. jgramme was a two-part song. “ Drake’s Drum,” which received excellent treatment by the ATGlashan College Choir. The accompaniments for the soloists were played by Aliss Muriel Caddie, and Aliss Alary Frazer played the accompaniments for some of the Columba Choir’s songs.