CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2905, 4 July 1925, Page 2

CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

A PLEASING ENTERTAINMENT. The Foxton Choral Society held then- second concert in the Town Hall on Thursday evening, when the programme submitted proved to be very acceptable and entertaining. The attendance. while exceeding that <>f I lie first concert, was not as large as might have been expected in view of the talent included in the programme, but nevertheless the audience showed in an unmistakable manner their appreciation. The Choral Society, under the baton of Mr Harold Osborne, rendered a number of part songs, their work ill this connection giving evidence ot careful preparation, and their efforts were accorded marked appreciation bv the audience. The Society is somewhat handicapped through lack of male voices, especially in the bass section, hut despite this set ions drawback the opinion seems

general that the numbers rendered were very well done, and a credit to all concerned. The. introduction of talent from Wanganui was undertaken as a means of completing the concert programme, and this step proved to be satisfactory in every respect, the artists featured receiving it Haltering reception, and, in the "case of Air E. J. Thomas, Die audience being insatiable in their demands for encores.

The proceedings opened with the National Anthem, following which the Choral Society rendered Pinsat i’s part song, “Spring Song.” Miss Amy Eaton, a young soprano of considerable promise, rendered very sweetly two numbers in the first part of the programme, “Poor Wandering One" and “Songs My Mother Taught Ale,” and in the hitter half, “Damon” (encored). Aliss Eaton’s contributions were received with evident appreciation, and she was made the recipient, early in the evening of a bouquet of flowers. Mr W. 1L Christie, the possessor of a pleasing tenor voice,rendered a number from “Oberon in Fairyland," for which he received it recall. Mr Christie also contributed “Corporal John Bartholomew,” and in company with Air E. J. Thomas, rendered tho duet “Pool and Peasant," which delighted the audience. Captain Buckley, well-known as conductor of the Wanganui Garrison Band, contributed cornet solos, “() Sole Alio,” and “To the Stars.” Captain Buckley’s evidenced his mastery of the cornet, and it is unnecessary to enlarge upon his capabilities, it being well-known that he at one time was the holder of the Australasian championship

as a solo cornetist. IVJr Buckley’s items were deservedly encored. Mr E. J. Thomas, a man of evident versatility, was called upon with such insistent demands for encores that he forsook his excellent baritone renderings, and, himself at the piano, delighted his hearers with a comic item, “Noah Atoah,” and a whistling solo, which, he said, was an imitation of the celebrated GalliCurci. Mi Thomas established himself as a great favourite with the audicm-e, and ran the full gamut of versatility from a finished baritone rendering of "Hybrias the Creiion,” comic items, whistling solo,

Yello imitation, and dramatic recitation, “Delilah." The Choral (Society rendered the following numbers: “Spring-Song” (Pinsuli), part song "The Chough and Crow" (Bishop), part song “London

town" (Germaine), part song -Moonlight and Music (Pinsuti), ami part song "Viking Song" (Coleridge Taylor). Altogether, the Society is to he congratulated upon the excellence of the programme, and the good impression made on Thursday night's audience augurs well for any further efforts the Society may undertake in the future.

After the concert, an adjournment was made to Perreau’s tea looms, where the members of the Society entertained the visitors. After tea had been served, Air Barr, on behalf of the Society, complimented the Wanganui party on the splendid support they had given the Society's concert that evening, and remarked that it said much for the Wanganui artists that the audience that night scented as if they could not get enough of them. Mr Barr expressed the hope that at a future date Die Foxton public would again welcome the talented singers then with them.

Air W. If. Christie responded on behalf of the visitors, and expressed the pleasure it had given the partv to assist the Society. He cons idored the Foxton Choral were doing a tvallv good work, and deceived the support of the whole eommunit v.

Rev. Walton, in a few well-chosen remarks, pointed out that a good lead iu music had been given by the action of Mr Mason, who had quite recently formed a class of instruction in music lor local public school pupils. Mr E. J. Thomas also remarked that in Wanganui just recently 1,2011 children had attended an orchestral concert, especially arranged for their benefit.

After the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” the visitors departed lor Wanganui at midnight.