SCHOOL CONCERT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2672, 15 December 1923, Page 2

SCHOOL CONCERT

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The Town Hall was filled with parents and children on Thursday night on the occasion of the concert and prize-giving. Tn order to raise funds to cover the cost of prizes, the chairman of committee conferred with the teaching staff and suggested a concert in lieu of soliciting donations. This happened on Monday and the only date available before the break-up was Thursday. Each teacher agreed to work up class items and the programme submitted in so short a time is a tribute to their enthusiasm and to the keenness of the children. Three special features of the programme were of particular merit, viz.’ “William Tell,” arranged by Miss Beard, Court scene from “The Merchant of Venice,” staged by Mr Davidson, and a pretty little dance sketch arranged by Miss Fahey. The characters in “William Tell” were beautifully costumed and each child sustained his part with credit. As “William Tell” Arnold Stevenson caught tlie spirit of the character, while Jack Gower, as “Gessler,” tlie haughty Austrian General, was perI feet. Both principals are entitled to special mention. Tlie other characters were sustained by Tlieo Perveau (“Albert, the son"). Edward Nattrass (“Sarnem”), Edward Murphy, Percy Lockwood. Harry Arden (“Guards”), W. Hirini, George Aldridge, Arthur Alexanler, Wm. Hussey, Roy Roore, Endell Wanklyn, George Baird, Neil Ilendrieksen, Jack Francis (attendants). Sir Davidson’s selection for the court scene from the “Merchant of Veif* ice.” was a most ambitious undertaking for primary school children and (he .school is to be congratulated upon having on its staff a teacher capable of interesting young minds in such a classic and, furthermore, in training them to give such a good interpretation of the scene. The characters were ably sustained by the followng pupils in character (Mr Davidson taking the part of “Shylock”) : “Portia,” Marjoria Hunt, “Antonio,” Rex Ball; “Duke of Milan,” Theo Leach; “Gratiano,” Albert Griffin; “Bassanio,” .Alfred Williams; “clerk,” Vernon Moore; “Portio’s attendants” Agnes Barton, Betty Short; “pages” George Woods, Jack Walton, and Nelson Ball. The above pupils were from Stds. V. and VI. Miss Fahey is to be complimented upon her musical and dance sketch, which showed both originality and careful training, the movements and deportment being excellent. Those taking part were: Berta Griffin, Dolly Thessman, Melva Yorke, Kitty Coley, Caroline Coley, Myrtle Hughes, Iris Coley, Hazel Haydock, Malcolm Kennedy, Tap Taylor, Bobbie Gay, Norman Reader, Jack Thessman, Arthur Vertongen, Eric Robinson and John Dixon. The infants’ items, supervised by Miss Williams (infant mistress) assisted by Mss Edwards, were excellent, the natural and quaint attitudes of the little ones in such surroundings causing much merriment. Mrs Frank and Miss Miidford were responsible for the excellent training of the children of the middle classes and in all the work of preparation special mention must be made of the pupil teachers, Miss Admore, and Messrs Fuller, Procter (2), and Burr, while Mr Banks acted as general supervisor. Apart from the class singing recitations were given by Rose Munn: “Good and Bad Children,” Mona Moore, “Old Chap”; splendidly reviled; Edward Stevenson, “Freedom,” with good effect; Lylla Robinson, “The Fireman’s Wedding,” in character —with her pal and a solo by Molly Downes, “Good Mothers" (encored). The accompaniments were played by Misses Fahey, Beard and M’s Downes.

Mi- Hornblow, chairman of committee, apologised-for the unavoidable absence of Messrs J. A. Nash and J. Linklater, M.’sP. He briefly addressed the children on the lines of "Do the best you can, have faith, be kind.” Mr Banks, head-master, gave an interesting resume of the year’s work and Mr Geo. Coley, whose keen interest in the school for a period of ever thirty years, presented the prizes. Messrs Jno. Ross and Stevenson proposed a vote of thanks to the staff, which was carried with cheers, and the proceedings were closed with good wishes to the children for a happy Christmas.