GORE SCHOOL CONCERT.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 404, 28 October 1884, Page 2

GORE SCHOOL CONCERT.

4> The abore concert, which has now almost become an annual fixture,,, came, off on Friday evening in the Town.* Half; The large haU was comfortably filled, a large number of the audience consisting of course of juvenile sympathisers. But those who went from other motives than sympathy with the object were not disappointed, as, from, a musical point, of view, the bill of fare presented was. ©f.i'i superior quality and variety. The head teacher, Mr Neill, took the chair, and in doing so expressed the gratification he felt at seeing such a large audience. Devices of this kind, he, said;::- wer^e necessary because the allowance made by the Education Board was not sufficient to provide many appliances which facilitated the Bchool work. He then formally initiated the proceedings. The first item was a pianoforte duet by Misses Hope and Johnston. It was favorably received and was followed by a song, 'Dublin Bay,' by Mr Palmer* Mr. Palmer must be complimented on his effort, which was undoubtedly the most successful he hes yet made. The glee, *To all you ladies,' by a company succeeded. Each individual singer did his and her part admirably, the only fault that ' the most critical couid find, being a weakness in number of tenors. Mist E. Fraser, a little girl, recited 'Edinburgh -after Flodden' with much dramatic effect/and is evidently not unused to the work. She was a little unsteady at first, but subsequently picked herself up and rendfefed .Randolph Murray's mournful message witli appropriate effect. Mias Irving, who has become a fast favorite, sang that • agreeable vocal valse, 'Ehren on the Rhine,' and, for an encore, appropriately sang its sequel, ' Silver Rhine.' Both songs were sung in that finished mamier which Mias Irving's appearance always leads us to expect. The . chorus, * This is May,' was presented by a company of scholars. The part of , the seconds -vraa not fully heard, but that was evidently due to the consciousness on the part of the little lads of their novel position. Mr J. Sullivan played a pianoforte solo, * Silver Trumpets,' with his accustomed skill, and was followed by Miss Buchanan, who saug ' Twickenham Ferry ' with the requisite degree of archness, and was vociferously encored. She complied with the request by repeating tho last verse, and succeeded in convincing the audience that there was " danger ia crossing to Twickenham town." ° Mis? Scott, another pupil, recited, ' Somebody's darling,' feelingly. The "duet, ' The wind and the harp,' was sung by Mrs Brett and Miss Brown. Musically, the result was most pleasing, and the audience was not to be denied a repetition, which was obligingly . given. The efforts of the ladies named were seconded by an unseen cornet player. The scholars sang another chorus, 'On the bright golden shore,' and were loudly applauded. The Misses Green played tho 'Pinafore Quadrilles ' very correctly, and for such young ladies were not at all so nervous as might have been expected. Tho programme being of such a lengthy nature the advertised interval was dispensed with, and the scholars then went through what was expected and what was 1 a great treat, ' The Maypole Dance.' Tho Maypole, appropriately garlanded with flowers, stood in the centre of the stage, and the children to a polka tune went through the ancient ceremony of decora* ting it. Their evolutions, which appeared so intricate to the spectators, were completed without the slightest' hitch,, and when the process was affcarwards repeated in couples instead of, as the first time, singly, the applause was most hearty. The greatest credit' is due to the .gentlemen, Messrs J. and W. Boyne, who trained the chikh*en to such a graceful result. When Mrs Brett sang ''The clang o' the wooden shofeu/ we felt the need of reining in Pegasus, or he would ny off with us. Of course she could not escape an encore, and gave 'Darby and Joan ' Mrs Brett's skill is only equalled by the exquisite taste she displays in the selection of her songs. ' See our oars/ a glee, was sung by the glee party, and was followed by a joint recitation by Master and Miss Fraser. The little pair could not help being amused by the position their piece made them assume — that of mother and son. They were otherwise very successful. Mra Scott sang 'The Scottish Emigrant's farewell,' as s]\q always sings her ballads; with great expression; vSheijras followed by a party of scholars, who sans: a chorus, 'Row the Boat.' Miss 3Sf. Green sang the solo of • Beautiful Star,' being assisted in the chorus by the glee party aforesaid. The way in which she sang loads us | to. believe that the -ranks,, of $z our amateurs will not want for reinforcements from native talent. The Messrs J. and W. Boyne sang the weilknovrnxdtiet, * All's well.' Mis 3A. L. Ferguson recited ' Bingen on the Hhine ' with clear enunciation, but was evidently very nervous, She has all the qualifications of an" elocutionist. A glee 'Gome o'er the brook ' by the glee party brought the entertainment to a. close. Mr Neill then again expressed his pleasure at the success which had attended, fcjw cotton ,

. Ineir, presence in sucn numbers assurec its monetary^ success, and he was glad that the pupils-present had attended tc his admonition ami : behaved well. The school \rx>uldf;nombe\ able to procure the requisites ftKad so long been in want of He then called:-Ti|>on the gentlemen named , below.tp propose, some rotes of thanks, Mr Green proposed one to Mr Brett, whe ji had organised the musical part of' the programme. . Mr Mac Gibbon proposed a vote of thanks to Miss Buchanan and to the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted > and Mr Aitken^ proposed a vote of thanks ' ' '•'to' 'Messrs l J: and W. \Boyrie, who had :,.,: trained the children for the Maypole . dance. All these votes were carried vociferously-. Mr Brett acted as aecompanyist throughout the evening with his : usual skill. As was announced, a dance of about a couple, of hours' duration was indulged in, and about 50 couples disported themselves in the worship of Terpsichore.