DOMINICAN CONVENT SCHOOLS, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 242, 21 December 1877, Page 9

DOMINICAN CONVENT SCHOOLS, DUNE DIN.

St. Joseph's School. This school broke up for the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, the 12th inst., in the presence of his Lordship the Bishop, the Bey. Father O Leary, and the Christian Brothers. Several selections of instrumental and vocal music were performed on the occasion, which, as well as the recitations given, were, by the excellent manner in which they were rendered, quite in keeping with the high character of the establishment, and certified to the careful teaching of the worthy Dominican Sisters. The entertainment terminated with a short play entitled " My Aunt's Heiress,'* which was carried through with spirit and success by the young ladies who took part in it. Convent High School. The annual concert and distribution of prizes took place in this establishment on Wednesday, the 19th inst. His Lordship the Bishop of the Diocese presided, and there were present the Rev. Father O Leary, and several ladies, the relatives and friends of the pupils. The following programme was gone through with .—Juvenile Duet, Eight performers ; Chronological Bee, Polish Anthem, on Count de Zaba's method ; Pianoforte Duet, " overture to • Nozze di Figaro,' " (eight performers); French Recitation, " Les Adieus de Marie Stuart"; Duet (harp and piano), " chorus from • Masaniello' " ; Juvenile Solo, " The Goat Bells," (four performers) ; Italian Recitation, " Laßondinella" ; Pianoforte Solo, " Heather Bells," (four performers) ; Vocal Chorus, " Christmas" ; Grand «• Duo de Concert, " Belisaro" ; German Recitation, " Der Ring des Polykrates" ; Duetto (piano and violin), " Son Geloso del Zefiro" ; Pianoforte Solo, " The Wearing of the Green" ; Vocal Duet, " Ring on. Sweet, Angelus" ; Pianoforte Duet, " Wedding March," (eight performers) ; AB C Duet ; Pianoforte Solo, " Robert, toi que j'aime" : Vocal Quartette and Chorus, " Irlanda" ; Pianoforte Trio, " overture to ' Der Freyschutz,' " (three pianos). Of the various items on this programme the " Polish Anthem," obtained from Count de Zaba, aid sung in chorus* by the young ladies, was one of the most remarkable. It is extremely sweet and plaintive, and was given with much expression by the songstresses to whom it was committed. The Chronological System, likewise of the Count, was exemplified in a manner that at once proved its efficacy. The pupils answered the most difficult questions proposed to them with a readiness and precision that were astonishing. Of the other musical selections all were given with much excellence, allowance being made for the age and educational standing of the performers, and it is exceedingly difficult to pitch upon any as of superior merit ; but the pianoforte solo, " The Wearing of the Green,"' was most charmingly played by a young lady, who, in addition to masterly teaching, has been endowed by nature with an exquisite touch, and who is certainly destined, if she persevere in her studies, to become one of the loading pianists of the colony. Of the concerted pieces " The Wadding March" pleased us most, but this was as a mere matter of taste, for all were admirably rendered, tho exactness of the time kept bc:ing remarkable. The custom, indeed, of teaching so many little ones — for some of the performers were tiny damsels who stood up to reach the notes— to play together is a capital method of training them to become versed in the all-important matter of Time. We have purposely abstained from commenting upon the solo "Robert, toi quc j'aime," since it was performed by an extern pupil, but it was a morceau so rendered that it might rather have been heard in some public assembly than in a private school-room. The recitations were also admirably delivered — that in German particularly being wortbv of a much closer neighbourhood to the Rhine than Diinedin. On the whole the good Nuns may .veil be congratulated on the successful termination of their year of labour, and. as we know that the more essential matters connected with the education of the young are even more carefully attended to by these excellent teachers* than the brilliant accomplishments which they are so competent to impart, we feel that the community in general may also congratulate themselves on having in their mid&t these high class schools. When the Bishop had concluded the presentation of the prizes, His Lordship crowned the young lady pronounced by the votes of her schoolmates worthy of the premium "for good conduct.