MAORI MALE CHOIR

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 7

MAORI MALE CHOIR

CONCERT AT NEW PLYMOUTH. MOST ENTERTAINING PROGRAMME There is a quality in the Maori singing voice that even the most highly-trained white man cannot achieve. The members of the Methodist Maori male voice choir, which is touring the Dominion, at then’ concert at New Plymouth last night did not need pianoforte accompaniments to emphasise the beauty of the vocal items.

Akonga Pihama, Waikato, is an inimitable entertainer and the zest with which he and his fellows performed made the programme doubly attractive. Humorous touches enlivened most items, while the gluttonous grimaces made by the quartette who sang “Chicken Pie” were delightful. Hakas are seldom unusual, but the savagery and abandon of the Taiaha haka might well have sent an apprehensive shiver down the backs of the audience. Another revelation was the skill shown in the management of the pois, particularly by Akonga Pihama, when he held two long pois in one hand and whirled them in opposite directions. Among the serious items the high standard was remarkably well maintained, the numbers in chorus abeing notable for perfect unison and rhythm. Imia Te Wiatu, Manawatu, in solos showed a fine gift of expression and a curious flexibility of voice. P. Tikao, Canterbury, and H. Tutawhiao, Southland, have beautiful timbre, while Tamati Tepuaha is an exceptionally good imitator.

The complete programme was: Waiata of Welcome, company; chant, “Lord’s Prayer,” choir; “My Jesus, I Love Thee,” choir; action song, “E Pari Ra,” solo verse, Ripine Matoe; part song, “Simple Simon,” choir; songs, “Roll on, Thou Deep and Dark Blue Ocean,” and “River, Keep Away From My Door,” Imia Te Wiata; band imitation, choir; steel guitar solo, Akonga Pihama; songs, “Bird Songs at Eventide,” “Vale,” Puiraki Tikau; trio, “A Little Farm Well Tilled,” Tepuaha Pihama, arid Nerihana; quartette, “Chicken Pie,” Tepuaha, Pihama, Matoe, Te Wiata; part songs, “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,” “In Absence,” choir; canoe poi, party; songs, “The Mighty Deep,” W. Nerihana; single poi, party; haka, party; part song, “The. Rosary,” choir; double long poi, Akonga Pihama; songs, “Ka Mate,” “The Memory of a Song,” Tutawhaio; Maori concerted item, “Kamaringi,” choir; Taiaha haka, party. The accompanist was Hori Hanauru.