CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 214, 28 April 1877, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

On Wednesday evening last, a concert was given in the Carlyle Town Hall, in aid of the Building Fund of St. George’s Church. There was a large attendance, the Hall being crowded. Considerable preliminary work had been done in the way of making tire stage attractive in appearance, and more comfortable for the singers. The floor of the stage is fully a foot too high, and is therefore uncomfortable for performers and audience, on account of the

former being perched up so high, and the latter having to keep their heads at such an awkward angle in order to obtain a proper view. A varied and attractive programme had been arranged, and at the appointed time the concert commenced with an Overture, which was well received, and was followed by the full chorus “ Hail the Chief,” which at once showed that under the painstaking care of the able conductor the performers had been trained to efficiency and that the concept would, in every way, be a success. “ The White Squall,” which was sung with power and in good taste, resulted in the ,l Friar of Orders Gray” being sung, as an encore, —the gentleman again acquitting himself well. “Ye Banks and Braes,” in itself a simple melody, was sung in full chorus, and with excellent effect. The song the “ Lonely Harp,” by a lady who had not previously appeared in public, was prettily sung, and without any of the embarrassment common to first appearances. The singer was warmly encored and gracefully responded. “ The Sailor Sighs,” a duett by a lady and gentleman, was rendered with correctness, but was somewhat lacking in power. “A Life on the Ocean Wave,” sung by a gentleman with a full, powerful voice of good quality, and whose manner was in keeping with the theme, secured an enthusiastic encore, when he again came forward with “ The Englishman,” with characteristic effect. The large audience in front in no way affected the singer’s nerves. “ Weber’s Last Waltz,” performed on the piano by a lady of accomplished musical ability, was amongst the treats of the evening. The song “ Why chime the bells so merrily,” by a gentleman, was followed by the full chorus, with solo parts, “The Chough and the Crow,” which was an excellent and fitting conclusion to tire first part of the progiammc. After a few minutes’ interval, the second part of the programme commenced with a charmingly performed overture on the piano, by a little Miss with quite womanly ways,which secured hearty marks of approval. The song “The Battle Prayer,” was good, and was followed m excellent style by the full chorus “ When first I saw your face.” “ Love’s request,” secured a hearty encore for the fair singer; and “The Village Blacksmith,” sung by a gentleman, was also enchored. A glee for eight voices, “ Where art thou, Beam of Light,” again showed the good result of careful.training and attention to their respective parts by the performers. A lady, who has the well-earned merit of being as well a correct and sweet singer, with a trained voice, well under command, rendered “The beating of my own heart,” in her usual!}' excellent style, ami was heartily enchored. The duett “ Friendship,” by two young ladies, well sung. “My Molly Asthore,” by a gentleman of musical accomplishments of high order, and with a good voice, secured an enchorc. The glee for four voices, “ Home, Sweet Home,” was sweetly rendered. “Jones’ Musical Party,” by a gentleman, showed ability in the comic line of no moan order, ringing and acting being equally trood. The concert closed with a solo ami chorus, “Come where my love lies dreaming,” and was voted excellent—the solo part being a markedly good feature of the performance, the chorus being equally well sustained by the other singers. In tbo opnch at disposal it is impossible to do justice to the merits of all the performers. The concert, taken as a whole, was good, and alike creditable to the able and talented conductor (U. C. Teiment, Esq.) who appears to have spared no pains to make the concert a succes, and to the ladies and gentlemen who kindly gave their services and in other ways aided on the occasion. The piano accompaniments to the various songs and pieces, wore uniformly good, and in some particular cases, excellent. After the concert, the Art Union Drawing took place, and created abundant mirth as well as solid satisfaction to some of the winners. Mr Nicholson, of Wbenuaktira, won the first prize in the shape of a silver watch, whilst Miss Hirst was the winner of the gold ring. The proceeds of the Concert and Art Union totalled £42.