Diocesan Choir festival.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2 October 1922, Page 409

Diocesan Choir festival.

. As- the result of consideration by the committee and a conference with the ■ clergy of Hawke's Bay the following arrangements have been made re the Choir Festival with the approval of the- Bishop. - Date, April 18th. Choirs arrive April 17th. Full rehearsal m- the evening. April 18th: Plain celebration with hymns, 7.30 a.m.; : choir breakfast, 1 8.30. a.m.; Choral Eucharist with short sermon, 10.30. a.m. (Merbecke) ; hymns, 546 (A. and M.), 316 (A. and M.), 318 (Eng. Hym.), 322 (A. and. M.), 190 (A. and M.) ; Nunc Dimittis, plainsong, Tonus Teregrinus) ; lunch (say), 1 p.m.; garden party, afternoon; Evensong, hymns 641 (Eng. Hymnal), 470 (E.H.),'519 (E.H.), 272 (E.H.); 604 (A. and M.) ; short anthem, "Lord for Thy Tender Mercy's Sake"; Canticles and Psalms 122 and 84 (plainsong). The Bishop will appoint preachers' for both morningarid evening. The tune to 190 (A. and M.) will be "Hesperus" (to be found m the Hymnal. Companion). All the music not contained m Hymns A. arid M. will be 'printed shortly and copies supplied to choirs. Provision will be made for country choirs to camp m Napier m suitable buildings and expenses will be met by offerings at the services and- other ways yet to be devised. The Rev. Thomas Fisher, Hukarere Cottage, Hospital Hill, *' is the secretary. -It will help if choirmasters will 'send to Mr Fisher soon an approximate estimate of the. number of choristers likely to go to Napier for the festival. A few other details have yet to be settled. The objects of the choir festival are (1) to encourage 'the use of good hymns and music suitable for ordinary parish churches and of a "congregational" character; (2) to promote sympathy and community of interest among members of the Various choirs able to participate m the festival. . • A very successful festival is antici-

"pated. Boys from Te Aute andf girls from Hukarere will take part and we hope to haVe some 150 voices m the -combined choirs. Mr P. Tombs, the Cathedral organist and choirmkster, Avho is so well known for his musical ability and love of real church music, will be the conductor. We hope every choir from Napier to Woodyille will take part.