BAND RECITAL

Southland Times, Issue 20832, 22 July 1929, Page 2

BAND RECITAL

ANOTHER INDOOR CONCERT. A delightful indoor recital was given by the Invercargill Civic Band, under the conductorship of Mr A. R. Wills, in the Regent Theatre last evening. The programme was a very pleasing one and every item presented was well received. The enjoyment of the audience was slightly marred by talking by thoughtless numbers, who evidently went to the theatre to gossip at the expense of the enjoyment of others. The theatre was well-filled and every member of the audience remained to the fall of the curtain. Before commencing the concert the conductor, Mr A. R. Wills, spoke of the death of Mr A. F. Lithgow, of Launceston, Tasmania. Mr Lithgow had once been wellknown in Invercargill, said Mr Wills, and had had a distinguished career as a bandsman in New Zealand. Two of Mr Lithgow’s compositions would be included in the programme for the evening and the first of these was the “Invercargill” march, which was well and popularly known throughout the world.

The band then played the “Invercargill March” in excellent style. The second item on the programme was a flute solo, “Adagio Nobile,” by Mr E. Le Petit. Mr Le Petit was enthusiastically recalled and played “Valse Caprice” for his second number. Miss McKay then sang "My ain wee Hoose” and “Meadow Sweet,” both songs being sweetly sung and well received. Another composition of Mr Lithgow’s, the fantasia “Le Cirque” was then played by the band. The next item on the published programme was a Xylophone solo by Mr J. McDonald, but he did not appear and Mr T. Pryde was announced and sang ‘The Glory of the Sea” and “The Birth of Morn” with excellent effect. The band then played “Gems of the Old Days,” a selection of old but ever popular numbers. The concluding solo items were then given by Mr R. Pettitt, who played three violin solos, “Culloden” (McKenzie), “Ofpsy Airs” (Sarasate) and “Pierrot. Serenade” (Randegger), with splendid feeling. The final item by the band was a march, ‘Yancowinna,” and the recital concluded with the National Anthem. ,

Miss Fitzgerald and Messrs L. S. James and J. Thompson appeared at the piano for the different solo items.