FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5285, 11 June 1928, Page 2

FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS.

ANGLICAN GATHERING.

, SERVICE AT THAMES.

The annual festival of the choirs of the churches of the Thames Valley was held in Sit. George’s Church, Thames, on .Monday lost

Twenty members from the choir ami: the vicar, the Rev. AV. G. H. Weadon, of St. Paul’s Paeroa, attended, and the choirs of the Cathedral, Hamilton,, St. George’s, Frankton, and St. Mark’s, Te Aroha, were also represented. UnfortUnateßy almost all, the choir members of St. Matthew’s, Morrinsville, were suffering from in. fluei:za, and therefore were unable to attend, but that church was represented by the vicar, the Rev. Wilkes ; and the Rev. Madison, vicar, of Hauraki Plains, was also present. The choir of St. George’s mustered ; >n strong force, and the spacious chancel of that exceedingly fine church was taxed to the utmost to accommodate the large body of choristers;

. The festival service began ,at 7.30 p.m., and the Evensong was preceded by a procession.' The whole body of choristers, headed by the cros'S-bearer carrying the handsome ProcessionalCross, entered by the vestry and marched /own the north aisle .and round the church and finally, by way of the centre, aisle, to their places in tlie chancel, singing the fine hymn “The God of Abraham praise” to Sir John Stainer’s stirring tune. In the procession two beautiful banners were carried, one preceding the lady choristers- and the other before the priestsThe singing of the massed voices, in the precession was particularly good, andt lie whole effect, with the cross, the banners, and robes of the choristers and clergy, was dignified and impressive.

The music at the festal Evensong included the anthems “From the rising of the sun” (used as aji introit) and “It came even to pass,” Bunnett’s Magnificat and Nunc -dimittiis in A, and the “Hallelujah Chorus,” and it was rendered most creditably throughout, when it, is remembered that the anthem “It came even t.o pass” is placed fourth on the list of “difficult anthems for a Cathedral choir to undertake,” the manner in which it was given is very creditable •to the 'training of the various choirs, and particularly to the organist and conductor, Mr Herbert AVebb. The service was brought to a cltose by the singing of the Te Deum to the Parisian tones, the priests grouped before the Altar, with the cross-bear-er. and the two acolytes- with the baiiners, at the Sanctuary step, ;a.nd the choristers all facing east. Alii then knelt to receive the Benediction, after which w.as sung the Recessional hymn “Thy Hand O Lord hath guided” to Sir Arthur Sullivan’s music. The visiting choirs are all most enthusiastic in. their praise an/ appreciation of the magnificent hospitality with which the St George’s choir and church people entertained them. From the mtoment of their arrival at Thames until their 'departure for home not a single thing that could make for their pleasure or enjoyment was left undone, and there is no doubt that functions of this nature do much to promote a proper feeling of fellowship between the members of the different, choirs by bringing them into touch with each other, both 'in choir work and socially. Ail effort is being made to arrange that the same service shall be given in St. Paul’s Church. Paeroa, by the combined choirs of St. George’s a.nd StRaul’s at an early date.