THE CHILDREN’S CHOIRS FESTIVAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 242, 14 October 1942, Page 4

THE CHILDREN’S CHOIRS FESTIVAL

r pilE holding of another Children’s Choirs Festival to-night is one of those unique occasions in the life of Wanganui. The young people and those who so generously devote their time to training them are actuated solely by the love of singing, one of the greatest gifts that, the Gods have granted to mankind. Singing is the language of the heart, and as a man tliinketh in his heart so is he. Therein lies its importance, and it led Fletcher of Seltoun to observe: Let, me make a nation’s songs and I care not who makes its laws. Happy the people that can sing, for they can give expression to their joy and can find therein a solace in their hours of sadness. But while they can sing they will never despair. The people of Wales, oppressed by a mighty neighbour and treading for long the path of adversity, could nevertheless preserve their ancient heritage in their songs, and lived to provide England with great personalities, from Queen Elizabeth to Lloyd George. Here in Wanganui the tradition for singing has long been established, and singing has at times reached a. high plane. It is to be hoped that the Children’s Choir Festivals will long continue to constitute a part, of the life of the city, and that they will continue to receive that full measure of public support which they have hitherto enjoyed and have undoubtedly merited.