NAPIER CHOIRS' SUCCESS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 190, 28 August 1937, Page 15

NAPIER CHOIRS' SUCCESS

Visit to Wellington Will Be Long Remembered three shields awarded The members of the Napier Ihtermediate School Choif and the Napier Junior Choir, accompattied by thett teacher Madame Margaret Mercer returned to Napier on Wedhesday froln Wellington, where thcy competed at the Wellington competitions. The Napier Intermediate School tihoi* has been trained soleiy by Madame Mercer, and two years agp were placed fourth in the primary school seetion, Last year the choir gaintid second plaee and this year the choir has the satisfaction of being placed hi'st, Winning the shield donated by the mUBlCtraders of Wellington. Of this choir the judge's remarks are as foilows: — "The First Violet; Effective opening work clear cut. Lost pitch on 'Yiolet is Dead. ' Very effective ataccato work, snappy and crisp attack and release. Tonal contrasts adequate. A good-toned choir, well disciplined, good interpretation. "I Would that My Love; AUegro con moto not evident enoiigh in opening phrase but picked up lafcer on. Good blend and balance, P»P. opening verse 3 very good. Good diction. Tonal gradation excellent. An excellent choir, a credit to its conductor." The Napier junior choir, Madame Mercer' s private. class, was the ouly entry in the juvenile choir seetion, This is a class for any juveniie ciioif under 16 years and the songs are a twopa'rt song accompanied and a two-paft song unaccompanied. The Nkpier Clioir won the Begg Challenge Shield from the Technical College Choir two years ago and although their's was the choir in the two items stated itt order only entry this year it Whs necessary for Madame Mercer to present the to obtain the necessary points to ratain the shield. The judge's remarks were as foilows: — "The Bell Mareli.— Uretty quality, Clean incision, articulation. The children seem to enjoy this work. Intonation perfect. Excellent .attack and release, effective staccato a.nd well balanced legato. A splendia choir. The best children' s choir 1 have heard .in years. "All Thro' the Night,— Opening tempo a little too fast, otherwise beautifully balanced. You have the right idea in the humming phiase, Tonal efftict very good. Imaginative woi'k supported by good progressive rhythmie ffow. I enjoyed every moment." The choir liold the Begg Challenge Shield for another year. The Intermediate School were equally successfhl in their two unison songs and retaiu the Nimmo Challenge Shield for another year. Napier thus has the hoiiouf of holding three shields in the musical world, two of which have becn won for three years in succession. The choirs received an ovation at each appearance and have gained a warm placc in the hearts of the musiciovers of Wellington. Their navy and white uuiforms gavo the choir a smart distinctive appearance and Madame Mercer is grateful to tlie parents for their co-operation in this matter. In the solo work the individual members were successful. Ehtries were made in seven sections, and in these Valerie Schofield, Menai Owen aUd Shirley Boardmau gained first piaces, Nancy Gilroy second plaee and Margaret ClUflti h.c. The educational vaiue of such. a visit cannot be over-estimated. In between the time spent at the oompetitious tho children visited. many piaces of interest. Saturday aftei'llOOh was spent at 1 the zoo. .On Sunday morning tlie combined chdirs occupied the choil* gallery in St. Jdhn's Church aiid sang three of the Wellington induetrlal undertaknumbers. On Mouday the children, visited two of the Wellington industrial undertakiiigs. the ccnfectionary and match factories. The children then proceeded to tho Dominion Art Gailery and Mtiseum and, by request, isattg in the Maori hall, The children' s voices have never sounded better than on this occasion. Later in the afternoon the children sang over the radio. On Tuesday afternoon the children were photographed and then proOdeded to the new station. The choirs later had a tea party at the D.I.C. and those children who Were billeted eiitertaified their hostesses, Mrs peter Fraser, Mr Myers, president of the Wellington Competitions Society, and Mrs Myers, and Mrs Oasey were also gjuests of Madame Mercer. Apologies for absenct» were received from the Hon. Peter Fraser and Mr E. Casey and froiti the Hon. W. E. Barnaid and Mrs Barnard and Prof'essor James Sheiley. At iive o'clock the children contributed the whoie of the iirogi'amme i'or the children^ session at 2YA. in the eveiiing the children were the guestai of the Competitions Society and on Wcdnesday returned to Napier where they received a warm reception from Mr C. 0, Morse, Mr Barnard and many pufcnts and l'rieiids. Madame Mercer extends her thanks and appreciation to all wlio helped to make ihe trip possible and wishes to Bpecially . thank ihe membere of the Napier Rotary Club for providing luncheon for the children at Palmerston North, also to Palmerston North Rotarians foi serving hot drinks and attendifig to the children. She also wishes to aeknowledgo with thanks the gift of many bunches oi' beautiful flowers from the members of the Hastings Townswomen's Guild and private citizens of Napier. These were forvvarded to the returned solcliefs in the lted Cross Holiie, Hobson street, Wellington. The children Wex'e well cared for fc.v the Railway Department and as :here were 49 children travelling it was necessary to have a spocial carriage, Five children were billeted, 16 stayed witli friends and relatives and twenty-eight Were under the personal care "of Madame Mercer. Madame Mercer returns to Wellington next week to attend tlie deinonstl'ation eoncert for the presentation of , shieljii, etc.