ORCHESTRA’S FIRST EFFORT

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1931, Page 13

ORCHESTRA’S FIRST EFFORT

ST. ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT PERFORMANCE IN NEW PLYMOUTH A Christmas concert of merit was given at St. Andrew's Hall, New Plymouth, on Saturday night by the Church orchestra, assisted by the choir and several individual artists. There was a good attendance. This was the first concert given by the orchestra. The fact that it was formed only two months ago and was able to give such a creditable performance on Saturday evening speaks well for the keenness of the members and specially of the conductor, Miss Evelyn Dowling, and of the president, Dr. P. C. Davie, to whose efforts the inauguration was largely due. Orchestral work was commenced in connection with the church with the view of developing the social side of the church’s activities. Noticeable in both the work of the orchestra and choir' was the excellent balance achieved. Much of the orchestral music was new to New Plymouth audiences, a particularly beautiful number being Handel’s “Firework Suite. The solo’items were also well rendered. Tributes to Dr. Davie for his formation work and to Miss Dowling and the performers were pa“d by the Rev. J. D. McL. Wilson. Miss Dowling was presented with a bouquef. The programme included the following Smallwood’s March (arr. Carl Volti), orchestra; A Life/ on the Ocean Wave (Henry Russell), orchestra and voices; Jolly Old Saint Nicholas and Upon the House Top, orchestra and voices; recitation, The Gentleman of Frande (Walsh), Mrs. F. Kircher; While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (Handel), and Joy to the World (Handel), orchestra and voices; Gondollied (Mendelssohn), orchestra; songs, A Persian Song of Spring (Mcßurney) and Salaam (Mary Long), Mrs. P. C. Davie; Slumber Song (Schubert), orchestra and voices; Allegretto from “Symphony in. D (Schubert), orchestra; recitation, A Cockney Girl at the • Pictures, Miss K. Thompson: songs, .Mr, V. E. Kerr; It Camo Upon the Midnight Clear (R. S. Willis) and Hark! the Herald Angels Siii'o- (Mendelssohn), orchestra and voices; Firework Suite (Handel), orchestra; Luther’s Cradle Hymn (J. B Herbert) and O Come All Ye Faithful, orchestra and voices; Minuet in B Flat (Mozart) and Old English Dance Tunes (arr. Adam Carse), orchestra; Silent Night (Franz Gruber) and The First Noel (Air Traditional), orchestra and voices. . ~ , i The orchestra included': Conductor, Miss Evelyn Dowling; pianiste, Mrs. W. L Shrimpton; violins, Mesdames A. Patrick (leader), L. A. Brown and N. H, CJiilcott, Misses M. Gaustad and M. Jasper, and Messrs. C. Bird. J. W. Hodges, A. W. Scott and K. Deare; .viola, Master McDonald; ’cello, Mr. G. A. Gaustad; clarinet, Mr. N. S. Henry; bass, Mr. J. W. Phillips. The choir' included Mesdames E. M. Boon, I. John, A. Morrison, Misses C- Campbell, J.. Jasper, W. Jervis, Y. John and A. Wilson, Messrs. C. Campbell, W. L. McCrane, E, Smith and R. White. Mrs. W. J. Shrimpton was accompaniste.