COMMUNITY SINGING

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1930, Page 6

COMMUNITY SINGING

, I.NNQVATION AT ITAWERA. Community singing was a feature at the Hawera Competitions last evening under the direction of Mr. W. H/Dixon, Christchurch, who is the musical judge. Mr. Dixon was musical director for the Y.M.C.A. in East Anglia during the Great War, and in 11)18 occupied a similar position in France. He has had unique opportunities of judging of the beneficial effect of massed singing. Talking to a Daily News reporter, Mr. Dixon remarked that individual voices were often crude, but the effect of soft community singing was very fine indeed, showing that the spirit counted for much more than vocal technique. The ;spirit of optimism and the lightening of care were very real benefits to be derived from joining in song.

It should not be done as a “stunt.” It should be kept going so that people would sing naturally when they wanted to do so without being asked. They would sing as an emotional outlet, their pent-up feelings being released. To get the spirit of song into human beings was desirable as a means of helping to make life pleasanter and happier. The soldiers singing at the war and miners out of work at Home singing we’re just instances of song’s power as a means.-of relief.

Though nothing very ambitious :wils tried last night;, the innovation proved successful.

W.D.F.U. ACTIVITIES. The Okaiawa branch of the W.D.F.U. is holding very successful meetings in private homes to cultivate closer cooperation, afternoons having been spent at the homes of Mesdames Oldfield and Shearer.

The Manaia branch is making preparations for its annual street day. . Mr. Emmett gave a very interesting lecture on the League of Nations to the Manaia branch, when there were 150 present. All were supplied with afternoon tea. Lecture work is becoming a special feature with this branch and is arousing much interest and enthusiasm.

HAWERA W.E.A. READING. “JOURNEY’S END” CHOSEN. Something unusual was attempted by the Hawera W.E.A. Dramatic Circle on Friday when the members read R C. Sherrill’s famous play, “Journey’s End.” Though the parts were difficult ones to interpret they were treated adequately by the following: Mr. W. G. Simpson (Captain. Stanhope), Mr. J. Mooney (Hibbert), Mr. T. Anderson (Osborne), Mr. T. Ellis (Raleigh), Mr. Duggan (Trotter), Mr. J. Carter, (Mason) and Mr, Lawrence (Captain-Hardy).-GENERAL ITEMS. The winner of . the pit ensilage competition at Auroa was Mr. F. Haworth. - Heavy rain in South Taranaki during 1 the week-end caused a slip to develop early yesterday morning in the clay bank near the Tongahoe bridge on the Main South Road. Traffic was blocked for a while, but a gang of workmen was soon on the scene and cleared a path for cars. Messrs. R. P. Morrissey and Co. advertise particulars of a sale at the Union Street rooms, Hawera, to-day at 1.15 p.m. A plain and fancy dress skating carnival will be held in the winter show buildings, Hawera, on Friday, September5. There will be competi ions, streamers and novelties. The Kaponga Football Club’s annual ball, which is to take place on Thursday, promisee to be a very successful event. McNeill's Dance Band will play the music and numerous novelty dances will be on a programme of popular dances. Free buses will run from Stratford and Eltham.

Tho'Awatuna Farmers’ Union branch will hold a dance on Friday night. Parker’s orchestra will play the music and a good floor and supper are assured.

CONCERT AT ELTHAM. METHODIST ORGAN FUND. : Assisted by visiting artists the pupils of Mrs. Blennerhassett presented an enjoyable musical programme at the Wesley Hall, Eltham, on Friday in aid of the Methodist organ fund. The items in the first part comprised: Orchestra, “Love’s Longing”; pianoforte solo, “Wedding Bells,” Jean McAsey; song, “Love’s Old Sweet Song,” Miss Reid; instrumental, Elva and. Kyra Best; instrumental trio, Valse Song, Misses Saunders, Beech and Blennerhassett; pianoforte solo, mazurka, Jean Campbell- song, “Mandy and the Sprier,” Miss Harding; pianoforte duet, “Sleigh Bells,” Dick Blackstock arid Jack Smith; violin solo, “Romance/* Miss M. Blennerhassett; vocal duet, “The Day is Done,” Mr. and Mrs. Davies (Kaponga); pianoforte solo, “Pervanche,” Joy Campbell; pianoforte duet, ..Rhapsodic, Iris Carlson and Rhoda Phillips. ' • Items in the second part were; Orchestra, Pas; de Fleurs; pianoforte trio, Ruth, Margaret and Josephine Taylor; pianoforte solo, Toccata, Miss V. Beech; song, “In a Monastery Garden,” ,M'Ss Evans (Kaponga); pianoforte duet, Hungarian Dance, Misses A. Penniall and P. Wood; song, “Yeoman’s Wedding,” Mr. Harding (Kaponga); trio, Spanish Dance, Joyce Bridger, A. Reynolds and L. Ware; vocal duet, “I Know a Bank,” Misses M. Evans and M. Blennerhassett; pianoforte solo, Nocturne, Miss V. Grierson; song, “Softly Awakes My Heart,” Miss E. O’Dea; pianoforte solo, Dancing Dolls, Jim Bridger; song, “Open Thy Blue Eyes,” Miss M. Blennerhassett; duet, Miss V. Beech and Master R. Burt. Miss Beech and Mrs. Blennerhassett played the accompaniments. , MATAU NOTES. Mrs. T. Ayers has returned home af- ' ter having spent a few weeks at Tarata. Miss M. Larsen is visiting Inglewood and Uruti. Mrs. R. Chapman is visiting relatives at ’ Stratford. '■ '•'• ' Mr.' G. Kerr is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. : W. Smellier’ ‘? Mr- C. Mumby is the guest of Mr. and Mra._R. Mumby. Mrs. H. Larsen, who had been the guest of Mrs. J. S. Fletcher, Purangi, has returned home.