WANGANUI COMPOSER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 208, 5 September 1935, Page 6

WANGANUI COMPOSER

SONG COMPETITION WON ‘ ALL ON A SFAIMER’S DAY ’ WORK OF AIL’. GORDON McBETH A cablegram has been received from Melbourne lo the effect that Air. Gordon Alcßcth, of Wanganui, has won the Wellington Competitions’ Society’s song competition for New Zealand composers with his number, “AH on a Summer’s Day.” This song was ’written last year, Air. Mcßeth intending to enter it in the Wellington competition then. Unfortunately ho was laid aside with influenza before he was able to complete the second copy which was required by the rules, and he abandoned the entry until 1935. Mr. Colin FranklynBrowne sang it in the New Zealand Composers’ section at the Wellington competition and in comment thereon the judge, Air. T. Vernon Griffiths, said: “One of the most striking compositions was that sung by Air. Frank lyn-Browne, ‘All on a Summer’s IDay.’ ” In fact, it. was the onlx song singled out. Mr. GriffiNis said that, this class demonstrated that New Zealand musicians could write interestingly. Air. Mcßeth is one uf Wanganui’s best known musicians. He has been teachiug for many years and has played an important part in the life and activity of the Wanganui Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society, particularly since the war. He was conductor when the society produced “A Country Girl” in 1920, “Cingalee’’ in 1921. “Flo rad ora” ’u .1922, “The Gay I’arisicnne” in .1924, “Veronique” in 1925. “Our Aliss Gibbs” in .1926, “High Jinks” in 1928, “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1929, “ Aloonflower ” in 1932, for which he wrote the music himself, “ A Country Girl” in 1933, “The Belle of New York” in 1934 and “No, No Nanette’’ in 1935. He now has the musical side of “The Geisha’’ in hand for production at the end of next November.