WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7907, 26 September 1929, Page 3

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

BRITAIN’S AMBASSADORS OP SONG , Just ninteen months ago the Westminster Glee Singers left England on an Empire tour and toured Canada for eighteen months, which has never been equalled in that Dominion, the tour being under the distinguihed patronage of His Excellency, Viscount Willingdon, and His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, and now the Westminsters are making a brief tour of New Zealand under the direction of Henry Hayward by arrangement with Edward Branscombe, who organised this Empire tour. The press and public of Canada have been unanimous in their praise of this unique musical organisation, which aims to present the national melodies and folk-songs of the Homeland in a highly novel and attractive form. All the members of the company have been selected from the principal cathedrals and churches of England, including Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s, St. George’s, Windsor, Worcester and other famous churches. The seven adult artists are: Edward Branscombe, for ten years tenor soloist at Westminster Abbey: Donald Reid, solo alto, St. Paul’s; William Lowry, solo alto, St. Paul’s; Charles O’Connor, the eminent Irish tenor and gifted harpist: Ernest McKiniay, tenor; Janies Barber, famous Scottish basso: Charles Draper, bass; operatic exhibitioner. Royal College of Music, There are six boy sopranos from the leading cathedrals and London churches, Masters Douglas Bartrip, Vincent Petley, Harry Fearn, Norman Clarke, Alan Goodered, Sidney Walls. As finished and artistic exponents of unaccompanied pai tsinging these Westminster Glee Singers stand alone and when they appear in Waihi on Friday, 4th October, they will afford an opportunity to hear singing and selections that perhaps come just once in a lifetime of those who are fortunate enough to attend. Part-songs, glees, anthems, madrigals, national airs, plantation melodies, vocal dances, sea shanteys, humorous quartets, song scenas with solos by boys and men all find a place in their programme. Only one concert can he given in Waihi and the box plan is at.Shandley’s.