SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

Shannon News, 29 September 1925, Page 3

SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

A FINE CONCERT. The Shannon Choral Society gave their second concert fur the season 1925 in the Maori land Theatre on Thursday evening and as on former they struck atrocious wea-ther-floods, thunder and lightning—this being the third occasion that they have given concerts that tough weather has prevailed. Nevertheless there was a good audience for s.uch a night and they were not slow in showing their appreciation, many encores being demanded. The Society had decided to break away from a set piece to a mixed programme and never lias the choir been heard to such advantage. Some of the members of the choir were unable to be present at the beginning and as. a .result the basses were weak, but they filled up as the programme went on. The sopranos were in full force and both the sopranos and altos were in good form. The altos were especially sweet and were much stronger, in numbers than on previous occasions, if the elioir can only raise more basses and tenors they would take a lot, of beating by societies in larger towns. Visitors from Palmerston North were agreeably surprised at the size and quality of the Society. Of course, the choir has its faults; they are weak in tenors and basses, and the whole choir does not get away from Its music enoughheads too much infcoi copies. The opening chorus “Four Jolly Smiths” (Semple Leslie), would have been improved if they had had the smithy effects in the chorus. The old part song “Sweet and Low” is always welcomed, mid was well sung witli a good balance, but the choir did not get half soft enough in the double pianissimo parts. “Dame Durden” (Harrington) supplied the humour which the choir entered into, especially the kissing part-. An encore was demanded of this. In the second part the choir rendered the “Soldiers' Chor-us” (Gounod) from, “Faust.” This was sung well, the high soprano notes being well taken. Here again moire basses were wanted but it was a good rendering. “Dreaming Alone in the Twilight” (Moore) was one of llie gems of the evening. This is a most difficult part song, the tenors having a solo running through the verse pari, other parts supplying the obligato. “Old Mother Hubbard” was the final item. Here again the choir fully entered into the spirit of humour. Dogs of all descriptions came to light, yet all was done to tune and time, finishing with growls and snarls of the basses. This had to be repeated and the choir, conductor and accompanist, Mr Howard Andrew and Mrs Clifford Jones are toi be congratulated on their performance. The outstanding ladysoloist of the evening was Mrs McDonald, oP' Palmerston North, who sang “The Waltz Siong” from Tom Jones and so delighted the audience that they demanded a double encore, giving “Joyous .Spring” and “Love’s Dream.” Her number irt the second half “Coming thro’ the Rye” was also encored. Miss Rogerson, of Palmerston North, gave a sweet rendering of “Love’s a Merchant” f-or'which she received a recall. Mr Amos McKegg. who is well-known in Shannon, delighted the audience with his fine baritone voice with his singing of “Up From Somerset” and “The Little Irish Girl,” both, of which drew encores, H,e also recited from the “Sentimental Bloke.” Mr A. Mottershead (I.evin), who is no stranger to Shannon audiences, was never in better form and was encored for his two items. “Beneath thy Window” and “The Sunshine of /Your Smile.” Miss Jean Better (Levin) recited excellently “The Way to Do It,” and was recalled. Mr H. Andrew gave a monologue entitled “Shut Up,” for which he also received an encore. The appearance of five Shannon Jews imported from Palestine brought the house down with their get up andthey made typical Jew's in their singing of “Abe, Abe, Abe,” in which Mr W Quarrie took the solo, the others taking part being Messrs Andrew, Birchett, Cole and Moody. Musical hems were rendered by Miss Thelma Shaw', who charmed the audience wdth her brilliant pianoforte solos, “Clair de Lune” and “Prelude” (Debussy) and Miss Winnie Pickles, who. gave two violin solos in a masterful way, bavino" to answer a. recall for her rendethm of “Canzetta.” The accompaniments were shared by Mrs Clifford Jones Mrs McKegg, and Miss Shaw. The singing of the National Anthem, concluded one of the best conceits yet given in Shannon. ’ Afterwards the choir entertained the visitors at supper and Mr H. Andrew thanked the visiting artists for their splendid help, Mr Amos McKegg suitably replying. The whole concert w'as greatly as-, sisted by the kindness of Mr I.cs. Martin, who lent a, new Squire piano(Nimmo and Son) for the occasion. The choir are reminded that practices will be resumed this week and intending members should join at once to enable them to practice for the next concert.