SCHOOL CONCERT AT ROSS.

West Coast Times, 21 April 1911, Page 1

SCHOOL CONCERT AT ROSS.

(From Our Own Correspond unc

The Totara Hall was crowder on Easter-Monday night on the occasion or the annual concert in aid of the State; School Funds, when the au-h oce was rewarded with a very fine programme. .■ The excellence and variety of the . ten items contributed . by the school children redounded to the credit of the performers, and especially tof their tutor, Miss Patrick, who must have spent considerable time in bringing her young charges to the pitch of excellence displayed. The two .concerted songs; “A Little Child shall‘lead Them ’ and “Playfellows” were sung sweetly and well by the girls, tone and enunciation being particularly; creditable. The same may bo said of the singing _ of “Massa’s in Tho Cold ground,” by the boys who with the exception of one lad, who had overlooked an ear, were plentifully bedaubed with burnt cork, the oversight detracting somewhat from the pathos of the old song.

Two exhibitions of chib swinging by the girls_ were deservedly applauded, as were various dialogues by the boys and girls. ' . y ;•

Master Jack Osmers, in a recitation, entitled “ Tlie Twins,” dilated poetically on the disadvantages of twinship, and Master C. Woolliouse made some rnymeful, though laconic, remarks o home made pants for small boys, both items being very amusing. There was a good programme apart from the juvenile contributions. Overtures were nicely played by Mrs Milson and Miss Moye (piano) and Mr Bergmanu (vio-

Mr ; Jack Moye in “ Take me back to Bendigo,” was good, but not'at his best.

One of the gems of the evening was a duet entitled “The Elfin’s;'Call ” by Misses Bergman and McNicol whose voices blended sweetly, and who were just as succesful in their encore number “Whispering hope.’ The trio “Funiculi Ennicnla,” was well sung by Dr. Short and M’essrs Bruce and Mansell, but would have been more effective with less restraint. Mr Etheridge retained his popularity with' a Rosa audience in rendering “My Old Shako,” and in to continuous applause, sang “ The Tars Tarewell.” which was also well appreciated. z In reciting “The Carlin Wife,” Mr Lucldo display historic power far above the ordinary. A cheery quartette “The Cuckoo Sings,” by Mesdaraes Bruce, Grimmoikl Rev. Rice and Mr. Mansell was very nicely rendered and well received. Miss A. Bergmami sang very sweetly “Kiss me Darling,” which received a well-deserved encore, and later on in the programme gave a coon song, in character, entitled “ Jim the father of this little black coon,” which was heartily applauded and encored. Mr Dan Roberts’, rich bass voice suited “Down in the Depths” admirably, the length of the programme alone robbing the audience of an encore song. Mr Bergraanu’s violin solo, “The Mocking Bird” was the only instrumentar item on the prfogramme and was greeted with merited applause and encored.

Mr Leaky, in an artistic manner, brought out the sentiment in the song “She was a Grand Old Lady,” and had to respond to an encore. The accompanists were Misses Healey Patrick, Wilson, McNicol, L Evans and Mrs Wilson, _and though, generally good there were instances when the piano was too strong for the singing. Mr Trent’s Phonograph filled the gap at the interval and some excellent records were given. . At the conclusion of the concert , the venerable chairman, Mr. R. Hirter, , thanked the audience, performers and teachers, incidentally mentioning the excellent results obtained on last year’s work at the school as shown by the school inspector’s, report. The concert was followed by a dance, for winch.Mr Sid Evans supplied the music, while Mr Cutbnsh had charge of the floor. A ■ good' mimjber were present, and the dancers enjoyed themselves until the small hours of the, morning.