SACRED CONCERT

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3202, 12 July 1932, Page 5

SACRED CONCERT

MUNICIPAL BAND ENTERTAINMENT. The series of Sunday evening concerts under the auspices of the Te Awamutu Municipal Band, held alternately at the Regent and Empire Theatres, has proved very popular, and there was again an attendance of several hundred residents at the Regent Theatre last Sunday evening, when a very enjoyable programme was presented. Proceedings opened with the Band, nearly 30 strong, under Mr R. H. Close, playing the march "Constellation," and the overture "Austral," very effectively. Then followed a vocal solo by Mrs Mears, "The Little Old Garden," and for an encore she gave "Mother's Eyes," both interpreted capably. Bandsmen A. Newsome and R. North presented a cornet duet, "Ida Dottie," with full band accompaniment, and proved themselves very capable instrumentalists. Mrs Ramsay's soprano voice was heard to effect in the song "Joy Bird," and to a recall she responded with "It's Quiet Down Here." Miss Audrey Mairs_ recited "The House with Nobody In It" very effectively. and her encore number, "Oh Fancy! Just Fancy!" was even more popular. The Band next presented a rather ambitious piece, selections from the opera "Maritana," but the difficult parts were well sustained, and the audience was not backward in showing its appreciation, realising that the Band includes a great proportion of comparative novice instrumentalists. The result wacs a credit to all concerned, and exemplified the team spirit that permeates the Band. Mr Merrick was the next individual entertainer, and he sang "When the Ebb Tide Flows," and "The Peace of Allah." Mr A. Terry next contributed the baritone solos, "Drums," and "The Blind Ploughman," the latter especially being enjoyed. The Band again presented a difficult piece, "The Bombardment of Port Arthur," and once again it triumphed, for the descriptions were easily followed by the audience. Mrs Lawrence was heard to advantage in the vocal solo, "Today," and in response to an encore she contributed "My Caravan." Miss W. Gilbert displayed her artistry at the piano with the selection, "A Norwegian Cradle Song," and she well deserved the encore. Next to appear was Mr Miller with the lilting Irish song, "Rose of Tralee," and the Band presented the "Lights Out" as the final item of what had proved a very popular and pleasant gramme. In thanking the audience on behalf of the Band, Mr Les. Armstrong announced that another sacred concert would be held in a fortnight's time at the Empire Theafre; kindly lent for the occasion. The accompaniments were ably played by the Misses P. North and L. North and Mesdames Perrott and F. Shutte.