AN EXCELLENT CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, 16 August 1928, Page 5

AN EXCELLENT CONCERT.

THE MASTERTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. MR. J. NOBLE FAItEWELLED. Considering the state of the weather, a fair audience assembled at the Opera House last evening to hear the concert of orchestral and vocal music submitted by the Masterton Orchestral Society. All the items were well received, not least enjoyable being the vocal contributions of Miss EL Ralph, Mr. F. G. Bourke, and the Masterton West School choir. Miss L. E. Hall, A.T.C.L., received an ovation for her admirable rendering of Mendelssohn ? s pianoforte concerto in G minor. The programme opened with a march “Washington Greys” (Grafula) and this was followed by a vocal item by Mr. Bourke entitled “Homing” (Teresa del Riego). In this number the singer’s fino baritone voice was heard to great advantage. On being encored, Mr. Bourke sang, with equal success, J. Faure’s “Les Ramcaux.” Next in order on the programme was a Rosse suite, and the three items, “Valse Lente,” “Pas Seul,” and “Danse Tambourin” were played most admirably by the orchestra. “The Vagabond” (Dunhill) was the first unison chorus by the school choir. The audience gave this item a most approving reception and no less appreciated “The Fairy Queen” (Percy Fletcher) which followed.

This concluded the first part of the entertainment, and the second was opened by the orchestra with another popular number in Handel’s “Largo” and Jessel’s “Parade of the Tin Soldiers. ’ ’ Miss Ralph gave a charming rendering of “Et Air de Lia” (Debussy). After the next orchestral item, three movements from “The Ballet Egyptian, ” Mr. Bourke was once more heard in “Onaway, Awake, Beloved” (Cowan) and “Rest Thee, Sad Heart. - ” With Fucik’s sprightly march “Entry of the Gladiators,” a most enjoyable concert was brought to a close.

At an interval, Mr. D. A. Pickering took the opportunity of farewelling Mr. J. Noble who had that evening made his last appearance as conductor of the orchestra. Mr. Pickering thanked l Mr. Noble for the excellent results he had achieved with the orchestra since its inauguration and expressed the general regret felt at Mr. Noble’s departure. In reply, Mr. Noble said that there was no orchestra when he arrived in Masterton, and it had l given him pleasure to start one which had gradually assumed the status of an orchestral society. He said he regretted leaving the district and severing his ties with the orchestra, but hoped that the people of Masterton would go on supporting the society for the sake of music, which was one of the finest things in life.

Qn the stage, at the conclusion of the performance, Mr. 8. McLaren, secretary of the society, on behalf of its members, took the opportunity of presenting Mr. Noble with an electric kettle and stated that his memory, apart from his musical ability, would be cherished by the society when he was absent. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Noble and family every success in their new sphere. In replying, Mr. Noble said that his associations with the Masterton Orchestra would always remain a very pleasant memory. Musical honours and three rousing cheers were given the departing conductor.