OPOTIKI CHORAL SOCIETY

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 54, 8 July 1938, Page 3

OPOTIKI CHORAL SOCIETY

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT ->' . ’ / ■■ ' The Opotiki Choral Society lived up to rue exeenent. reputation it guinea at its initial concert last year, wnen. it rendered the lirst concert ot the present season on Wednesday liigut. cinter tue capable conauctorship ot rroiessor J. j/urjer, the choir ga\o an excellent performance and the vein large and enthusiastic audience were quicit to show their appreciation of the varied numbers presented. Professor Puryer conducted with considerable virity and was largely responsible for the general cohesion ot. the whole performance. The rather large programme was ’ carried cut without a hitch and great credit is due to the committee ior the splendid arrangements made. The society is very pleased with the public support accorded the first concert and the funds of the society will be considerably augmented: as a result. Before the performance was concluded brief speeches were made by the conductor, Prof. Puryer, and the president of the society, Air ,H. S. Holmes. Both thanked the audience for their support and said it had greatly encouraged the society to see that their efforts were being fully appreciated. The speakers both thanked one and all for the help they had given to bring about such a successful concert, Air Puryer making special mention of the invaluable services rendered by M'rs' Hi [ford as accompanist. The conductor took the opportunity of making a special appeal for more male voices for the choir, saying that he felt sure that alter 'Wednesday’s entertainment, additional members would join the society. He also thanked Air Claris, of Awakeri. for coming such a distance to give several very much appreciated elocutionary items. An artistically arranged stage provided a charming setting for the entertainment. with palms, and effective lighting. The front of the stage was prettily covered with coloured paper and cherry blossom. The programme opened with the National Anthem sung by the choir, which featured in several well-chosen selections throughout the programme and the rendering was of a very high standard. The main feature of the evening was Mendelssohn’s' la\ourite motet “Hear Aly Prayer (which the recorded rendering hv Ernest Lough has made known to millions). admirably sung by Masters Holmes, the twin hoy sopranos. These hoys are to he commended for their line rendering of this most difficult selection and patrons will he eagerly looking forward to hearing them g-

gam. A The choir gave the soloists good support and altogether the performance was a most unique one. Another popular choir number was “I he Mother Goose Medley”, which revealed very pleasing harmony. Had time permitted the choir would have responded to the spontaneous and prolonged applause which this item brought. All the other choir selections gave the members plenty of scope to reveal tlrcir singing ability. The,vocal solcists. Ah's Clem. Black. Mrs Huff, Aliss A'. Thompson and Air E. W. Seville, were all well received and fully earned the hearty applause which followed each item. Jt would he unfair to make special mention of any of these popular contributors. The instrumental solosists provided varietv as well as giving the soloists respite. Air S. G. Pearce’s violin solos were as popular as ever. A special feature of his items was that he played one of his selections on an instrument made by himself. ft is the society’s intention to render a. further concert in about throe months 5 time when the choir hopes to present an even better arranged programme.