CHOIR FESTIVAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5294, 2 July 1928, Page 2

CHOIR FESTIVAL.

VISIT BY ST. GEORGE’S, THAMES. SERVICE ON THURSDAY LAST. On Thursday last, St. Peter’s Eve, full.festal Evensong was sung i,n Sf. Paul’s Church by the combined choirs of St. George’s Church, Thames, and St. Paul’s, Paeroa, numbering in all over fifty voices. (Owing to the influenza epidemic several of the men choristers from Thames were unable to attend, which 'resulted in the male voices weing short numerically; but those who were present did sueh excellent work that the deficiency in numbers was scarcely apparent, this being particularly the case in the Hallelujah Chore's, which was. given with remarkably pleasing effect, considering the small number, of men’s, voices. The hymns and canticles were the same as those sung at the recent choir festival at St. George’s, Thames, but. the anthem w.as Woodward’s “The Radiant Morn.” The Rev. D. Maddison, vicar of Hauraki Plains, preached from the text taken from the "Gospel fo'r St. Peter’s Day, “Thou are Christ, the Son of the living God-”

After the conclusion of Evensong Mr Dickson, of Thames, gave an exquisite rendering of two violin solos, Mascagni’s “Intermezzo” and Toselli’S “Serenade.” StaI’ner.’s 1 ’ner.’s “God so loved the World” was very reverently and beautifully sung, unaccompanied, by the St. George’s choir, the perfect blending and modulation' of the voices being particularly effective.

The service concluded with the singing, before the Altar, of the Te Deuni, as an act of thanksgiving, and the Recessional hymn "Thy Hand O God has guided. Thy Church from age to age.” , The visitors and friends were afterwards entertained in the Parish Hall by the members of St. Paul’s choir and the Ladies’ Guild, the young people passing a merry hour or two dancing, after which a very dainty supper was served and the guests left for Thames expressing themselves highly pleased with their visit.