CONCERT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 775, 23 February 1877, Page 3

CONCERT.

On Wednesday evening last an amateur Concert was given in the Town Hall, Clyde, in aid of the funds of the Clyde Brass Band, and wo do not know of a more successful or better managed affair ever to have taken place before. The Brass Band for the occasion, augmented by the Alexandra Brass Band, who kindly attended in full force to assist the older institution, consisted of some twenty instruments, and the perform anco of several overtures preceding and (luring the Concert elicited expressions of satisfaction from all sides. Either Band separately is equal to many whose advantages of tuition and other accessories are greater, but combined we with but little fear of contradiction, pronounce it as good as can lie found in the country. Among the Baud are performers of no mean calibre, and to them must he accorded great praise ami credit for the time devoted and the pains taken in producing the result th<y have. The advantages of a musical education, its softening inf! uences cann it be overstated, and as evidence of the very general appreciation of such was the large assemblage—fu v y 250—who answered to the appeal for funds to enable what we may well term an institution to extend its usefulness. With n > desire, nr with the view of detracting f-om any of the performers, we feel we should not do.justice if we omitted special mention of the leaders, as to them is due the whole credit, and we hope the favorable expression of opinion accorded them on Wednesday evening will incite them, if pos i!>le, to still further efforts in the good work they have started We refer to Mr Henry Net - tlefold, of the Clyde contingent; and Messrs Smith and Paget, of the Alexandra contingent. We use the word contingent because we should like—and we feel sure we but express the opinion of many others, on future occasions when referring to the Bras'* Band—to say the District Band, &e. Of the ladies and gentlemen who gave their services on the occasion we would rather not make any invidious comparisons, because, without exception, each performed her or his part as to draw down uproarious and wel’-merited applause. We must, perforce, however, give a passing word of praise to Miss Hastie, who was in splendid tune, and sang as we have never before heard her. Miss Miller also sang her parts very sweetly Our old friends Messrs Rees and Loughnan wore in good tune, and their performances were received with great elish. Mrs J. E. Stevens, our respected and worthy School-mistress, performed her no easy task as accompanyist throughout the evening, and though no direct expression of approval was given by the audience, we are sure her part was thoroughly appreciated, and we can only hope that at every subsequent concert we may have the pleasure of her assistance. Amongst the audience we noticed a large number of familiar faces from Alexandra, and a sprinkling from Cromwell and other parts of the dis riot. The programme opened with an Overture by the Brass Band—the Alexandra and Clyde combined—and 1 must say that, as this occasion was the first that the two played together, capita' tunc and time were kept throughout. Mr W. G. Bees, in his usual happy manner, sang the song entitled “The Bay of Biscay,” which was loudly encored. Miss Hastie next ascended the platform, and rendered in her sublime style “ I ■cannot sing the Old Songs,” which brought the hj luse down with applause, in response to which she sang “ Kathleen Aroon.” A trio, “Happy Fair,” by Misses H.istie and Miller, and Mr Stevens, was then g'ven, with great effect Mr Stevens,in “ Will o’ the Wisp,” was very good, and received applause. The pretty duct “ We come to thee, Savoy,” by Misses Hastie and Miller, was very well rendered. Mr M‘George, a gentleman who made his appearance for the first time on a Clyde platform, gave “My old friend John,” very effectively: we should imagine that this gentleman is a thorough master of music by tho manner in which he sang and played, and he only wants to he known a little more of to he appreciated to a greater ex-ent. Mr Loughnan, one of Clyde’s old favorites gave “A weary lot is thine, Fair Maid.” which, as usual, had such a power over the minds of the people that he was oblige 1 to sing, as an encore a French song. Mr M'George’s pianoforte solo was cvpitally rendered. Miss llasric’s singing is always appreciated, hnt, in our op uion “Too Late,” which foil iwed, was the gem of the evening, the high and low notes being excellently sustained ; as an encore she sang “ The Brilge,” Dr Buttou, accompanied on the piano by Mrs Button, sang “ If Doughty Deeds”; and to a call gave “ The digger’s Song, accompanying himself. “ The Friar of Orders Orey”—a trio—by Misses Hadio and Miller, and Mr Stevens, was well received. “Come back to Erin,” by Mr Hall, who receive I an encore, brought the first part to a close. After the interva’, the second part opened with an overture by the combined Brass Bands, followed by Mr Loughnan, who sang “ Non 6 ver,” and was encored. Mr Bees followed with “ A Thousand a Year,” and as an encore sang “Molly Biwn.” Mr Loughnan played a solo on the Piano in excellent style. “ Flow on thou shiug Biver,” by Messrs Hastie and Miller, was very creditably rendered, and was loudly appended. Mr M‘George’s fine voice in “ A Bandit’s Life,” showed itself to perfection. Miss Hastie’s “ Far Away" was rendered in her host style, tho rippling notes sounding beautiful in tho extreme ; for this song, as an encore, she gave “Yesterday.” Mr Adams’ soug, “ The Bo wan Tree,” took well, and received a loud encore. This was tho first appearance of this gentleman before a Clyde audience, and although ho is rather nervous, with a little practice ho will do well as ho possesses a good baritone voice, and is no mean musician. “ Tho Fairies,” a trio, by Mastic and Miller,and Mr Stevens, received well-merited applause. Mr Loughnan hero again enlivened the audience by singing "The Wild Winds blow," and to a call gave “Kathleen Amour.” Mr Stcvcua

gave “The Sexton" in his usual masterly style. At this juncture Mr Nettlcfold, tho Clyde Bandmaster, returned thanks to tho audience in a very appropriate and pithy speech, and thanked them heartily for their support on the occasion, also tho Alexandra Brass Band for their able services. Mr Hall thensang “Silver Threads” in fine stylo, and was encored, when the Concert w as brought to n close by the Bauds playing “God save the Queen.” On the room being cleared of the seats the dancing began, which was merrily kept up until about three o’clock the following morning, when the assembly dispersed with happiness depicted on every countenance.