ANNUAL MUSICAL FESTIVAL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23976, 17 June 1943, Page 3

ANNUAL MUSICAL FESTIVAL

CHRISTCHURCH SECONDARY SCHOOLS The combined Christchurch secondary schools gave their second annual music festival in the Civic Theatre last evening. This was music to enjoy above all, and it was not the young performers who had all the fun. At the same time it was impressive as ,a new venture in school and those who have worked towards it are to be congratulated on some fine performances. The choice of music was welcome. It ranged from Bach and Purcell to Michael Head, some of whose intricate two-part writing was sung with surprising ease. The singing as a whole left an impression of pleasant unforced tone and excellent clarity of words, _ Interludes included band items in which some lusty cornets and drums carried the day; some verse speaking, the artificial flavour of which contrasted rather badly with the spontaneity of the singing, and three numbers from a small orchestra. Would it be possible fpr the orchestra to have a preliminary tuning off stage? This could perhaps be arranged if it were to play immediately after the interval. . And another suggestion: since this scheme is now well established, could Mr Peters be persuaded to impart some of his knowledge of choral conducting to those in charge of tjie various groups? The technical level of the conducting was very uneven, and better results could be obtained from some of the groups. The schools taking part were Avonside Girls’ High School, Christchurch Boys’ High School. .Christchurch West High School, Christchurch Technical High School, Christ’s College, Christchurch Girls’ High School, Papanui Technical High School. Rapgi-ruru, Sacred Heart Convent, St. Margarets College. St. Mary’s Convent, School of Art, Villa Maria Convent. —D.G.L.