CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 35, 27 December 1895, Page 13

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL, DUNEDIN.

(By Special Reporter.)

The pupils attending the Christian Brothers' school, Battray street, Dunedirj, were dismissed for their summer vacation on Friday afternoon last. Tbe Very Bey Father Lynch presided, and the ceremony, which took place in the large classroom, waa witnessed by a large number of visitors, amongst whom were the Bey Father Murphy, the Bey Father Howard, Dr A. J. Fergusson, Dr Stenhonse, Messrs Hugh Qonrlay, J. B. Oallan, D. W. Woods, and J. J. Connor.

As iB customary at tbe annual break-up of the Christian Brothers' ichool, an enjoyable programme was gone through, and what is also usually the case, the boys, one and all, acquitted themselves with tbe almost credit. Tbe ringing was especially praiseworthy. The Brother who has charge of tbe sirjging not only aims at effective vocalisation, bat he also emplojs the art of voice production with exceedingly, happy results. The choir of young Cecilians was to the foie, and tbeir performance proved beyond a doubt that they have in no wise deteriorated since they last appeared in public. Their contributions were " O Sanctissnaa " (Sicilian mariners' hymn), " The harp of Tara" (Moore), "Booked in the cradle of the deep " (Knight), "The minstrel boy," "Tbe village choristers" ( Moscbelles), and " Tl)e cod vent bells." In each instance tbe singing was marked by capital time and tune,, tbe voices were well balanced and the delicate graduations of the crescendo and diminuendo passages were bronght out with capital effect. The solo items— fongs and recitations — were also gone through in such a manner that no room was left for adverse criticism. Tbe singularly sweet soprano voice of Master Joieph Ward wY$ heard to every advantage in tbe two numbers, — " The isle that's crowned with shamrock," and " The cottage by the sea." The recitations were all delivered with such elocutionary skill that it would be invidious to particularise, and consequently we bat append a list of the performers and their contributions : — Master John Oallao, " A Christmas tale," and, as an encore piece, "The woman of three cows"; Master Daniel O'Neill, "Hurrah for New Zealand," and " The boys of Tipperiry " (tbe latter being in response to demands

for an encore); Master George Cotter, " The brigade at FonUnoy." " The downfall of Poland " was also simultaneously recited by the whole class. During the afternoon one of the Brothers weilded the conductor's baton, and the accompaniments were played by Master James Walsh (piano) and Masters George Coter and J. Lawrenoe (violins).