ANNUAL CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3887, 22 December 1928, Page 3

ANNUAL CONCERT.

BY PUPILS OF ,ST. MARY’S CONVENT.

The annual concert by pupils of St. Mary’s Convent wa9 held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening and was much appreciated by a good audience. The programme was varied and included items both grave and gay. The instrumental items, without exception, were of a very high standard and reflected credit upon the devoted and painstaking work of the Sisters. To produce such a varied concert programme from a comparatively small number of pupils —other than the 1 adult section —is a fine tribute to the patience and perseverance of the sisters and a credit to the pupils. A pleasing feature of the centertainment was the attention paid to dressing of the little ones, 'who looked charming in the group settings. Every item went off without a 'hitch and the audience was unstinted in. its applause and appreciation. The opening item Was a pianoforte duet, “Silver Sleigh Bells” (2 pianos), by Alston Easton and jack Purcell and Hazel and Mary Martin. A number of little boys dressed as miniature policemen sang the “Policeman’s Song,” interspersed with <a beat march to the amusement, of the audience.- Pianoforte trio “Souvenir Valse” (2 pianos), Molly Steer, Allison Baird and Dympa Smitjti, Phyllis McjDowell, Pearce Martin, and Agnes Eder, time and technique very marked. A number of little girls sang with pleasing effect .“Baddy’s Sweetheart.” A fairy scene, “The Ever Ever Land,” introduced the characters of well-known nursery rhymes, Kathleen Blanch was “the fairy” and Elsie Rountree, “the child;” all the characters were well impersonated. Joe Bergin and Pat Madden scored a hit in the huifforous dialogue, “The Rival Orators.” Tfye orchestral item, “Serenata,” was a well-balanced number, the instrumentalists (violins) were Misses Clarice Walsh, Hetty Skellen, Lalla Annesley, Florrie Symons and Leslie Mattar, Jim Purcell and Colin Baird, pianofox-te accompaniment by Miss K. 'Roore. The skipping dance by infant girls was daintily executed. The voices of the boys and girls harmonised nicely in the song “Come whei’e the lillies_ grow.” Pianoforte duet, “Shepherd’s,Evening Song” (2 pianos), by Misses Pearl Skellen, N. Woods, Lalla Annesley and Rena Warwick was faultlessly played. The second half was opened with a pianoforte duet, “jollie Darkies” (2 pianos), by four diminutive N boys, in excellent time. Dialogue, “The May Queen” was nicely enacted by (Clara Rountree, Rosie Hallidone, Joan Byne, Ina Smith, and Louie Martin. Pianoforte duet, “The Japanese Fan Dance” (2 pianos), by Molly Steer, Joan .Cowley, Eona Fabian and Rona Coughtrey drew forth well-merited applause. The boys and girls nicely harmonised the song “Mother Maehree.” The pianoforte duet, “Liszt’s Rhapsody,” by Misses K. Roore and N. Woods, was the instrumental masterpiece of the evening and a fine tribute to the skill of the performers. The “Gypsies Chorps” by the senior girls, in charactei’, was a graceful performance. The orchestral item, “Lisette,” by four violinists was nicely interpreted. Miss Lalla Annesley had to respond to.an undeniable recall for her graceful dancing. The violin duet, “Swing Song,” by Colin Baird and Desmond Satherley indicated careful tuition. The concert concluded with the singing of “God Defend New Zealand.” The accompaniments were played by Misses N. Woods, K. Roore and Mrs. Goodman. The Rev. Father McDermott thanked all who had in any way assisted to make the concert a success.