CHRISTMAS SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1933, Page 7

CHRISTMAS SERVICE

CANTATA AT ST. ANDREW’S. A service of a Christmas nature was held- at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, New Plymouth, last night. The minister, the Rev. J. D. McLennan Wilson, read an appropriate lesson and after prayers the choir rendered J. H. Maunder’s Cantata “Bethlehem.” The soloists were Miss McNeill, Master Ken Bullin and Messrs. W. L. Hay and V. E. Kerr. The chorus work of the choir was excellent and was a tribute to careful preparation by the conductor, Mr. Hay.

Master Ken Bullin sang sweetly and with remarkable vigour .the somewhat extensive opening recitative. The solos of the shepherd and of Melchior were taken by Mr. Hay, arid his strong but pure tenor suited admirably the various recitatives. Of them-all the air. “Across the Desert” was one of his happiest. Mr.. Kerr took the solos of the other “wise men,” and his robust baritone gave the airs the dignity they merited. - The duet of Mr. Hay and Mr. Kerr, the evergreen “Adeste Fidqles,” was greatly appreciated. One of the most charming' items of a rendering that was consistently of a high standard was Miss McNeill’s singing of the air “Sleep, Little Son.” It is a winsome little recitative with a crooning refrain that adds greatly to its attraction. Miss McNeill combinedthe dignity, the joy, and yet the pathos of the song in a most happy manner. .• The work of the choir was almost uniformly good. In attack, precision and particularly in the stirring approach to the climax of the final number it was excellently led and responded to every demand.