AWERA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 52, 26 April 1895, Page 15

A W E R A.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) Notwithstanding the rough weather we had on Easter Sunday the Attendance at both Masses was very good. At the lato Masi, celebrated by Eev Father O'Connor, the choir under tha conductorship of Professor Higham rendered U&ydn's Ist' Mass in B Flat in a most efficient manner. The soloists being Mesdames Flynn and Whitaker, sopranos ; Mis9es N. and K. Flynn, contraltos ; Messrs Gilman and Ba'chclor, tenors ; and Messrs Higham and Busaell, basses. A feaiureof this Mass is the "Et Incarnatus Eat," the solo in which was beautifully sung by Mrs Flynn, as also was the trio by Mesdames Flynn and Whitaker and Miss Nellie Flynn. The „ Crucifixus," a trio for the male voices was sung by Messrs Gilman, Russell, and Higham, who did it full justice. As an Offertory the beautiful " Haec Dies " was rendered by the full choir, and the Hallelujah cbcrus from the " Messiah " terminated the morning service. In tbe evening the usual Psalms were sung fur Vespers, after which Very Rev Father Mulvihill delivered a very eloquent sermon his text being, " He is riaen, He is not here." Benediction of the Host Blessed Sacrament followed the sermon the " O Salutaris" and Li any which wero rendered being composed by Professor Higham. The "O Salutuiis" is a beautiful composition, the first verse being a solo for the soprano, and the second verse chorus. The solo was vocalised by Mrs Whitaker in a very creditable manner. The Litany consists of solos and chorus alternately and is quite deserving of the same praise as the " O Salutaris." The solos were taken by Messrs Flynn and Wbitaker and Messrs Gilman and Batchelor. Mr Higham is to be congratulated on both his compositione, and the members of the choir on their good fortune in having such a talented conductor. The " Tantum Ergo " which was sung is a duet for soprano and contralto, and w.»9 com pose i by the organist. Miss Flynn ; it is most devotiona', and was sung|with great feeling by Mrs Flynn and Miss Nellie Flynn. The duties of organist were fulfilled by Miss Fly an in her ueual able manner.

After Vespers the choir were invited to the Presbytery by flit Tery Rev Father Mulvihill, who, on beUlf of the memben of the choir, presented the conductor, Professor Higham, with a handsome baton, in recognition of his very valuable services. The baton if ebony mounted in silver and bears the inscription, " Presented to Professor Higham, by the members of St Joseph's choir, Hftwera, Ea§ter, 1895."