SUNDAY EVENING CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, 20 June 1932, Page 5

SUNDAY EVENING CONCERT.

POPULAR ENTEiRTAINMENT IN THE OPERA HOUSE.

There was a very large attendance in the Opera House last evening for the fourth of a series of concerts given by the Masterton Municipal Band and assisting artists, including on this occasion the Regent Dance Band. The excellent and varied programme of the evening was very heartily received. There cannot be any doubt that these after-church concerts on Sunday evening are filling a recognised need in the life of the local community and are becoming more and more popular. The Municipal Band opened its programme of the evening with a march of triumph, “Entry of the Gladiators,” a splendidly spirited number played in a bold and pleasing style. This was followed by the hymn, “Abide With. Me, ’ ’ rendered with fine devotional feeling. The hymn was played in a new setting by Handel Parker. The band’s next item was “H.M.S. Pinafore,” played in a style that recalled pleasant memories of the charming music of the famous light operas. Another number very popular with the audience was the pot pourri, “Melodious Melodies,” in which parts of thirty-nine tunes are played. “In Coonland,” a selection of American airs, in which the music of the band was supplemented by Mr. Phil Barry with off-stage effects, was also deservedly well received. The band’s concluding number was a stirring march, “Gympe City.” The other part of the programme, given by assisting artists, also included splendid items, nearly all of which were encored. A piano solo by Miss B. Stimpson was followed by “Auld Scotch 'Songs,” admirably sung by Madame Marsden. Other excellent items were a recitation, “The Caravan/’ by Miss Nola ‘Spackman; song, “The Arrow and the Song,” Mr. Wm. C. Mann; song, “Love Letters in the Sand,” Mr. Jack Rangi and party, with string band accompaniment; selections by the Regent Dance Band, 4 4 Yes, Yes,” and “The Mountain Lullaby, ’ ’ and a song by Mr Don Irwin. Mrs. H. M. Morton was an excellent accompaniste. The audience plainly was delighted with the capital musical fare of the evening. The conductor of the Municipal Band (Mr. R. J. Young) offered grateful thanks to Mrs. Morton for acting as accompaniste in the absence of Mrs. W. G. Perry, to all the assisting artists, and to the ladies’ committee which had taken charge of the doors. At the next Sunday evening concert, Mr. Young stated, selections would be played by Hessell’s Band and a number of new selections by the Municipal Band.

It was announced that the competition at the previous concert had been won by Mrs. Gregory, Villa Street, who had identified seventeen melodies in a medley. The winner of a similar competition held last evening will be announced at the next concert.