TRINITY CHURCH CONCERT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 December 1901, Page 4

TRINITY CHURCH CONCERT.

In conformity with, the annual custom of the Anglican Church at Greymquth a sacred concert was given on Christmas night. Trinity Church was artistically ■ decorated with flowers, ferns and palms, while nicely worked designs in ivy leaves —“ A Happy Christmas ’ —and such like were to be seen on the walls pi the handsome structure. The audience was a large and appreciative one, the commodious edifice being tested to its utmost seating capacity. A rule of the Church prevents any outward demonstration of approval or applause by the audience, and this was at times a very severe restraint, many itching to express in the usual manner their approval of the excellent numbers provided, and the admirable and finished manner in which they were rendered. After the congregation had sung “ Hark the Herald Angels sing” in a very whole-hearted the beautiful chorus “Adeste '■ Pideles ” was rendered with feeling and expression, the solo part being nicely taken by Mrs Young. Then came a rare gem “ Come Unto Me ” by Miss Lily Chapman, a young lady of promise. Nervous at the commencement, her voice for a moment faltered, but quickly recovering she poured fourth the delightful entreating song in exquisitely sweet tones, her clear silvery voice filling the building and sending a thrill of pleasure through the entire audience. “ADream of Paradise ’’ a song suitable for Christmas Day, was very capably rendered by Mr Place Staples who will be a welcome addition to the vocal talent of Greymouth. An organ solo, “ Offertoire in A Flat,” was brilliantly rendered by Miss M. Blackmore, the key-board manipulation being excellent. “A Song of Heaven, '.one of Cowan’s best compositions, was very evenly and correctly taken by Miss Sara Sweetman who possesses a fine mice. In the ‘’FirstPalm Sunday”— Faure’s well-known and favorite composition—Miss Cecil Yarrall acquitted herself admirably. Possessed of .a fine contralto voice, of considerable range and excellent tone she gave a correct and pleasing rendition. The violin solo Adagio fronKi'-Op. 52 was artistically given by'; Mr Apted, the solo and the pf being ‘perhaps the .yajjbst \ of a s hf irijjtelc, --ilitosft. best admirers ,I; sfre to he % foUhd among’ those who thoroughly ihide#Sttind and appreciate music of the hi\her : f-and better standard. ~ Galya?y’£Vas spng by/Mr Banks, a ' new Arrivalio'Greymouthi He possesses a,pleasjng voice.of excellent tone. Piccblomihi’s favorite song, “Saved by a Child,” was charminglyjrendered by Miss Rosabel, Weber,.who was in capital voice, her sympathetic rendering finding a corresponding feeling in the breasts of her hearers, who, while admiring her taste and skill, captured the kindliest feelings of all, who recollected that this was her first public 'appearance since she met with a serious accident on the railway. The grand anthem, “ Sing 0 Heavens ” brought the first part to a close. During the. offertory Mr Apted, by *1 request, played “Adeste Pideles” as a ■ violin solo, the talented violinist and organist being in perfect accord. It is an old saying that it is possible to get too much of a good thing, but this is a composition that one never tires of; indeed, every successive rendering seems to disclose fresh beauties. The second part commenced with one of those delightful organ solos that serve to bring out all the softer and sweeter notes in an instrument when under the control of a capable organist like Mrs York, and was followed by a solo “Waft her Angels”— one’ of Handel’s numbers —by Miss Chapman. This young lady sang the part with marked expression, but the song was hardly suited to her voice. A cornet solo, “ Russia,” being one of Hartmann’s variations on the Russian National Anthem, was cleverly taken by Master Evans, who gives promise of being a cornet player of the first rank. Miss Kettle sang “ Angels Guard Me,” admirably taking the somewhat difficult and softer passages' w'ith rare realisation of the composer’s ideas. “For all Eternity ” was sung by Mr Sweetman in grand style. Ho was in good voice, and . his rendering was equal to that of any professionals. In Lardo’s song “To the Angels,” Miss Alice Wickes put a groa*deal of dramatic force into her iah-.

pretatiou. She has a good voice—a great deal better than she is aware of, and with a little training would surprise more than a Greymouth audience. A duet “The Angels,” by Eubenstein, was capitally fiven by Mr F. Smith and the Eev. Mr r ork. The former has a fine voice, which, when matured, will place him . foremost among our amateurs. The “The Heavens are Telling” (Haydn), by the full choir, was a grand and fitting conclusion to a sacred concert of merit. The violin obligati to the solos was played by Mr Apted, and it is needless to say they were in themselves a treat and fully sustained the high reputation of the player. The collection, taken in, over £l3, was evidence of the appreciation of the Trinity Church choir to year * by year provide a concert of sacred song on Christmas night.