THE SOLDIERS' CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2642, 13 December 1915, Page 3

THE SOLDIERS' CONCERT

AMATEUR STARS IN KHAKI. An audience that almost filled tho Town Hall attended tho military concert given by the officers and men of the EeinJorcer incuts now in ciunp at Trentham, under the auspices of the New Zealand Patriotic Society on Saturday evening. Among those present were:—The Governor and Liverpool, the Prime Minister and Miss Mas6ey, the Mayor and Mrs. Luke, ana a largo number of the officers of Llie Reinforcements. That there is a particularly bright lot of talent undergoing military training at present at Trentham was evident from the popular programme submitted, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyono present, almost every item being encored, not because the performer wore khaki either, but on account of the intrinsic merit of the inujridual performances. The Trentham Military Band led off with a selection of airs from Verdi's "U Trovatore," which natprnlly included the always popular Miserere" duet. Sergt.-Major Fox is to be congratulated on. the degree of finish his band attained in the selection. The Pox Brothers (Sergt.-Major and Quarter-master-Sergt.) played the cornet duet, h i e }? es '" displaying the efficiency of the band s leads ill a convincing manner. Sergt. H. Richards, the possessor - of a well-haudled and musical tenor, sang Kathleen Mavourneen" (old setting) very nicely, and responded to an insistent enwith that 6weet old Irish song, Mother Machree." When Lieut. Dave .Kenny appeared from "behind," it wa3 as though a new sun had risen, for his beaming smile could actually be "felt" all over the hall, and induced for this clever humorist a very hearty welcome. His 6ongs at tho piano are among the best things in the comic line known to Wellington audiences, and on Saturday the burly lieutenant was jn good form. He became humourously confidential in his song;, "Has It Ever Occurred to You?" in which every person in the audience felt as though the pertinent questions were addressed personally to them, and giggled their embarrassment away. The singer followed up his success by rattling off the smart ditty, "It Does Got" Sergt. Sydney Albright, a singer who studies what he is singing about, gave good «mphasis to that sterling song, "The Blind Plowman," and responded to the "bis" that followed with a charming songlet by Coningsby Clarke, entitled "Down the Shallow River," a companion song to his _ dainty "Water Lilies." Stringed music had its representative in Sapper Swan, whose light sweet tones were heard to fair advantage in "Mlynarski," "Mazurka," and a Beethoven "Minuet." Lieut. T. Brown showed a free and happy style in "My Old Shako," and was even better in the jovial "Sergeant of the Line," which went with a fine swing. Lieut. Zcisler 6ang "Danny Deever," and Corpl. Shale Gardner gave impressively the dramatic musical monologue, written by Commaortz, the Belgian poet, and composed by Sir Edward Elgar, setting forth in poignant verse the travail of Belgium, The .duet, "Watchman, What of the Night?" was sung by Sergte. Richards and Allwright. Corpl. Nuttalli sang "Nirvana." Sergt. P. A. Hanna, another performer popular with Wellington audiences, • showed his skill with the chalks by doing a series of lightning sketches, mostly of a humorous character; and a quartet sang "The Soldier's Farewell." The accompaniments were plaved by Lieuts. D. Kenny and Sergt. J. Hines. During the interval Mr. A. Jacobs sold by auction a dozen copies of Lady Liverpool's Gift Book.