THE HIDDEN TALENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 59, 5 April 1946, Page 5

THE HIDDEN TALENT

SCHOOL CHILDREN ENTERTAIN CONCERT RAISES £45 “I wish to thank you all on * behalf of the Young Veterans’ •Committee, for the manner in which you have supported this concert, and I am glad to be -able to say that it has realised no less than £45 which will go towards the funds of Princess

Pamela’s campaign.” In this way, Mr Dave Wilson addressed the packed audience in the King Street Hall last Tuesday evening, at the conclusion of the eminently successful children’s concert. Mr Wilson mentioned

specifically the Headmaster, Mr , .1. B. Hubbard, the staff and pupils of the school, and Mr H. Haeusler, and his troupe of Maori entertainers from Paroa.

The concert, which was organised by Mrs D. Pearse, can be safely described as a grand success, and was one of the finest children’s displays seen in. Whakatane for a long time. 'To say the hall was packed, would be putting it mildly, for several hundred, for whom there was no seating accommodation, were compelled to stand around the sides and back •of the hall. However, the happy :note which was struck, and the generous applause which greeted all items, soon overcame any minor discomforts, and we have yet to hear • any person complain. The concert as a whole, was a warm tribute to the painstaking cafe and patience of the various school teachers, and we particularly would like to compliment Miss Wells on the high standard of the singing by the chorus groups and girls choir. There is an obvious talent in the senior classes, which parents will be pleased to lend the fullest ecouragement. The happy choice of -some of the bright songs and round choruses made for the highlights of the evening.

Solo items, by Mr J. Denham (vocal), Mr Ken Jarrett (cornet) and Mrs J. Larmer (violin) were particularly well executed, and drew the warm applause they genuinely merited. The ever -popular Mr H. Haeusler once again performed his Rhapsody in Chalk, to the delight of all sections. Mr Haeusler is a natural humorist, and his turns are always eagerly anticipated.

The concert opened with an item by the Infant School in which Whakatane’s first percussion band, took the boards. Its instant success was possibly due more to the blissful unconsciousness of the performers to the presence of the audience than to the musical score. Primer 2 produced a group of songs—Nursery Rhymes interpreted only as the child mind can interprate them. We particularly liked the youngster on the wings who, oblivious to the crowd, carried on an earnest conversation with his partner. The drill .display by Primer 4 was also very good, and was followed by a recitaiion ‘Busy Bees’ by Standard 1.

A more advanced drill display by the older girls of the Primary School was well worth seeing, and portrayed a rhythm and combination, which would be hard to beat. The High .School choruses were, as we have said, features of the night, particularly the harmonised pieces . which drew warm applause. The girls’ .choir, which concluded the proceedings, showed a precision and tone which reflected the greatest credit .upon themselves and their instructress. The Senior Primary School pupils were also heard in a delightful bracket of chorus pieces, 1 and they too, portrayed a promise in part singing which was most gratifying.

The Primary School folk dance provided delightful period sequence, in which early Victorian damsels and gallants, executed the dainty steps of the minuet. The High School girls’ drill display was really excellent, and included more than a flavouring of eurythmies. very beautifully performed, and gracefully finished. We extend our warmest congratulations to the young performers. Lively action songs and hakas by the Paroa school troupe concluded the main part of the conceit, and the popularity of these vigoious young performers could be gauged by the deafening applause which greeted their every appearance.