Hamilton

New Zealand Tablet, 6 November 1913, Page 17

Hamilton

(From our own correspondent.) October 31. On Thurday night last St. Mary's Catholic Choir gave a concert in, the parish hall. Although the weather was inclement, the hall was well filled, and those who braved the elements spent a most enjoyable .evening. The choir are to be congratulated on the musical treat which they provided. Mrs. Watson, Miss Fleming, Mr. Jordan, members of the church choir, and the convent children all participated in the evening's entertainment. During the interval Very Rev. Dean Darby took the opportunity, on behalf of himself and the congregation, to return thanks to the choir and its conductor, Mr. Thomas Simpson. In the conductor they had a gentleman of great musical ability. He not only knew the theory and practice of music, but nature had given him a musical soul, by reason of which he was able to delve into the hidden treasures of the great composer's, and to make those under his baton understand something of these treasures also. The young people of the parish had a rare opportunity given them to acquire an insight into music under the able tuition of the conductor. All that was required of them was to allow Mr. Simpson to test their voices, and if found up to the mark, to be willing to be taught. Turning to the choir, the Dean told them that the ablest general was unable to lead unless the soldiers would follow, and such was the co-operation of the choir that within twelve months it had risen to high flights of music. Continue in this grand spirit, he told them, and soon the music of the Catholic Church at Hamilton would be known not only in Hamilton but further afield.