MUSICAL RECITAL

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3554, 6 December 1934, Page 5

MUSICAL RECITAL

STUDIO PUPILS GIVE PLEASING PERFORMANCE. AUDIENCE’S APPRECIATION OUTSTANDING. Seldom, if ever, has a Te Awamutu audience registered appreciation to the same degree as marked the recital in the ToAvn Hall on Tuesday eA’ening, when the pupils of Mrs Hedy Biland (violin), and Mrs Gene Strong (soprano) combined in an end-of-season recital. Remembering the former successful presentations under Mrs Strong’s direction, the audience expected a programme of merit, and patrons on Tuesday Avere not disappointed. In itself the programme Avas pleasantly arranged and offered variety in a wide degree; the items folloAved in quick succession and Avithout semblance of delays; the stage lighting and appointments lent colour to the scene, and it was, in every respect, a creditable presentation. Audience appreciation Avas most marked, and encores were the order of the evening. Hardly an item passed without an insistent recall, and for this reason it Avas not until well after the scheduled hour that the audience dispersed. Even then there Avas a clamouring for a third .presentation of the closing item, the Volcano Ballet from “Faust,” possibly the most ambitious effort that has been attempted on the local amateur stage. Mrs Hedy Biland played one number, violin concerto (Tartini), for Avhich she received an ovation, and as a recall number she played “The Indian Love Call.” Her pupil items included a duet by Peggy Armstrong and Beris Cavanagh, Polonaise by Nellie Chatfield, Lovely Maiden duet by Peter Henrilcson and James Richards, Burmester Gavotte by little Peter Henrikson; Folk Song by Peggy Armstrong; Dussek Minuet by James Richards; Lemare Antantino by Beris Cavanagh, and an orchestral by all pupils. Throughout there Avas evidence of thorough tuition and painstaking study. Mrs Biland was revealed as a most worthy teacher. Mrs Strong was also featured in one number, and delighted the audience Avith her rendering of “Birds’ Song at Eventide.” To an insistent demand for recall she responded Avith “Not Understood.” Her pupil numbers covered a range of elocution, singing and dancing. Noreen Reynolds in a musical monologue, “Touchin’ Fings,” and also in several dance numbers, Avas deservedly popular. Little Yvonne Gage, a tiny tot of very tender years, in a delightfully pretty Moth Dance and later in a pretty song, fairly captivated the audience. Pat Kerr, in a tap solo, “Lazy Bones,” Avas deservedly popular. In vocal numbers George Baxter, a scholarship pupil of the studio, Avas heard in classical numbers and acquitted himself Avell. He, too, was recalled.. A very pretty little butterfly duo was danced by the tA\ r o juvenile students, Yvonne Gage and Noreen Reynolds. Zoe Noonan, Avho sang the soprano solo, “In a Little Old Garden,” was last before the audience at the presentation of “The Mystic Mirror” few months ago. In the interval her voice hqs Avonderfully improved in tone and‘quality, and the audience Avas not sloav to mark appreciation by insisting on her re-appearance, Avhen she sang “A Little Love, a LittleKiss.” Mr Henry Midgley, the blind pianist from Auckland, was A’ociferously recalled, and again when he sang “Friend.” Mr Midgley is an accomplished vocalist and pianist, and his audience on Tuesday shoAved well merited appreciation. Rhoda Cole and Les Watson were teamed in a tap duo, “The Pickpocket.” Hazel Flay, another soloist, gave a pleasing rendering of “An Emblem,” and as a recall number she sang “Tavo Little Clouds.’’ One of Mrs Strong’s Hamilton pupils, Jack Reidy, delighted the audience with an eccentric tap dance. What was modestly called the opening and closing verses were delivered in an able Avay by Geoff. Martin. These verses Avere appropriate and novel, being Mrs Strong’s conception of a fitting introduction and ending for a programme. Audience appreciation Avas most marked. In other elocutionary numbers Mr Martin was deservedly popular, and he was repeatedly recalled. He too, revealed marked adA r ancement since his last stage appearance. In one number he was teamed Avith Bruce Galloway.

The stage presentation was excellent- Lighting effect was arranged by Mr Spence, and gave to the stage a pretty tone, particularly when a bevy of girls danced ballet numbers. In the ballet numbers Misses Dot Pearte, Rhoda Cole, Nancy Walter, Pat Kerr, Nessie Chunn and Beatrice Corboy were teamed. The Dream Ballet was particularly effective and dainty. The closing item, the Volcano Ballet, was an ambitious and difficult effort, but the fact that the audience was calling for a third recall when the curtain fell is indicative of the success attained. For the first time on the local stage Mrs Strong portrayed a clever exhibition of acrobatic dancing with her two pupils, Geo. Baxter (God of Pleasure) and Noreen Reynolds (Goddess of Goodness), the latter especially showing excellent poise and balance.

Before dispersing, Mrs Strong called on the youngest student, little Yvonne Gage, to present Miss Leila North with a charming bouquet as a tribute of the pupils’ recognition of her great help as pianist. There followed from the audience similar emblems of appreciation to Mrs Strong, as producer, and other performers. It was, in every way,, a most pleasing recital, and must for long stand to the credit of those who shared in its promotion.