Little Folks’ Concert.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1896, 13 October 1886, Page 3

Little Folks’ Concert.

An entertainment of a very interesting character came off at the Town Hall, Greytown, on Monday evening, and notwithstanding that the night was a meat disagreeable one owing to a change from lair to wet weather, the seats of the hall were well filled. Had the night been fine there wonld have been an attendance exceeding any of the past season, for on every hand there were friends of the children performers who had signified their intention of being present to listen to to their elocutionary and musical exercises. There were over thirty different performers and not one of them was over fourteen years of age ; among the little instrumentalists were skilful players upon the piano and violin, while two lads acquitted themselves most creditably upon brass instruments. In elocution the germs of real talent were manifest, and it would be welt if the little ones were nurtured and trained in those exercises in which they have shown themselves such apt pupils. Two little girls, May Thompson arid Bertha Nation, took the initiatory piece of Monday evening. It was a piano duet, “ Homs They Brought Her Warrior Dead,” nicely played and warmly applauded. Then came a chorus " Work and Be Joyful ’’ by six tiny boys and girls, F. Bt George, John Fabian, Maurice Wood, Ethel Wood, Ethel Bows, and Alice Hobman. They had been under the teaching of Miss York, of the Grey town School, and the unison of voices and tbe well kept time reflected honor upon their instructor. This little company appeared twice afterwards in the choruses 1 Try John " and ’* Hinging Cheerily." A cornet duet, '• 0 Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast," played by Louis Bt George aud Maurice Wood, was highly appreciated and applauded accordingly. A nice little duet was snog by Miriam and Polly Uillier entitled “ Singing from the Heart " with good effect. Maud Lee was all that could be wished for her song “ My Pony," and she brought down the bouse tor the artistic way in which she sang and laughed in illustration of her misfortunes when thrown from the pony ; her encore was from all parts of tbe house, and she replied with good effect. Kate McMaster and Oliva Fuller played “ The Alexandra March " with a touch of military ardour. Ada Hall recited “ The Fisherman” capitally. Amelia Brooks gave Robert Southey's “ Cataract of Ladore ” in a manner that proved her ability as a reciter, and she drew forth a good round of applause. Ten small boys sang " Tbe Death of Cock Robin,” one lad asking the questions and the others in tarn answering as to their share in tbe sad event. Miss Baigh has been " coaching ” these lids, and •he haa done much at various times in drilling both tbe boys and girls of tbe school in music and illustrative exercises in connection with it. Ella and Eliza Gallagher, without mask, played " Tbe Mermaid's Bong " in such a pleasing manner as to win an encore. One of the best recitations of the evening was Bella Thompson's •* Dying Soldier.” Alice Hebley, a '' wee child ” recited “ Little Jim " to the unbounded satisfaction of the andtepce. and was re-called. Louis St George (accompanied by Mr Vatnbam) gave an illustration of bis musical ability with tbe tapor born and was applauded warmly. Olive and Maude Fuller played the duet “ What are the Wild Waves saying ? ” very nicely. John Uornblow was the star of the evening. His rendering of tbe song “ The Fox’s Journey ” brought him an encore ; sod whan some time after he appeared again with blackened lace, evening drew, and with belltopper and stick and gave a Negro Stump Speech entitled " No Halt way Doing ” he woo a big encore. He is a very small boy with a good amount of talent, and, properly trained, wonld make a good elocutionist and caricaturist. Harry Webster recited “ Willie’s Christmas Prayer " in a way ihnt showed that he. too, only wanted proper trlining to draw out undeveloped talent. Miriam Hillier and Ads Hall pleasingly rendered the " Cuckoo Song.” Richard Hebley was very good in hia recitation “Once Upon a Time.” Tbe last item cf all was an instrumental and vocal Chorus, “ Uncle Joe,” capitally played and rang, the performers being Bertha Nation (piano), Olive Fuller (violin), aud Jessie and Annie Nation and Maude Fuller (voices). Mr Nation apologised for the absence of the young Downards, who weic otherwise engaged that evening and for Miss Jennie Woods, one of our young violinists, who had the misfortune to damage her instrument. Altogether tbe entertainment was a success, and there was not the slightest hiteh or loss lor a word in any of tbe recit itkma.