SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Shannon News, 20 July 1926, Page 3

SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

A MUSICAL TREAT. Once again the Shannon Choral Society presented a musical treat, and patrons who attended at the Maoriland Theatre on Thursday, ‘could not help going away fully satisfied with the performance as a whole. There was not one dull moment throughout the evening, and the appreciative 1 audience recorded its approval in no uncertain manner. Encores were I numerous and this alone fully justifies the existence of the Society in our midst, and to the very worthy conductor Mr Howard Andrew, who has given such a great deal of his time to the work, it must indeed be gratifying. The following were the items rendered toy the choir: “The Bells of St. Michael's Tower’’ (Knyvett), was an exceptionally good part song, bright and cheerful and not very difficult, the choir making the most of the light and shade. “A Good Night’’ (G. T. Frances) was a most difficult part song - for the choir to. attempt, it being a croon song with a number of accidentals for all parts. The tenors were heard to advantage in-their crooning. The whole piece Was continually changing from pianissimo to swells'and fortissimo, and the continuous quick changes showed the choir had assiduously practised tlieir parts and proved that they were not afraid of hard work and quite capable of attempting something more difficult. It was one of the choir’s best items. “The Lost Chord”- (Sullivan) is well known, to be an old classic, old yet ever new - . It. comes forth as fresh as ever, the choir singing the opening strains with great taste and effect. The altos were beard to great advantage in the second, verse in their solo part, “It flooded the crimson twilight,” with other'parts humming the 'accompaniment. They excelled themselves in the interpretation of “And trembled away into silence as if it* were loth to cease.” This was the conductor’s own idea and had great effect. The climax was a good one and was ably resisted with the cornet by Mr Harold Osborne, bandmaster of Foxton. Mr S. Kingston ably supplied a tenor obligato right through the piece. “Spring Song” was an- . other well rendered item, the legato and staccato alternate parts being very pronounced. The choir let itself go and sopranos made good advan- l tage of the run at the end of each j verse, the top noies being especially ; clear. “Moonlight” (Eaton Fanning), a test piece at one of our competitions, was another very difficult piece. In this the basses, though not strongenough, were heard to advantage. Here again the choir had to jump from pianissimo to fortissimo and vie versa. It finished with well sustained notes. The lasi piece was well chosen and a fitting one for conclusion, “Comrades in Anns.” The difficulty with this chorus is that the pianissimo parts are apt to. drag, but the choir had been well trained in that part. The climax was particularly good, all parts .rising to the occasion. No doubt the choir has made goad progress since its last concert, but the choristers need to look up from tlieir parts more and lake more notice of the baton. More basses are needed, tlieir being only about half enough. During the evening several other items of a high order were rendered, some of the soloists coining long distances to lend assistance. Mrs Clifford Jones, as official accompaniste. rendered splendid service.

The Misses Blackwood and Burgess gave as an opening item, the piano duet, “Barcarolle;” Mr Howard Andrew, the monologue, “The Road of Ten Thousand Crosses,” and on recall a song selected. Mr, S. Kingston, of Palmerston North, well-maintained his reputation in ihe tenor solo. “Nirvana,” and later in the solo “My Queen,” an encore being demanded in each case ly the delighted audi-

ence. Madame Lola, Maries, of Levin, was | met with rounds of applause on her singing of “I Dreamt I Dwelt in MarI Die Halls,” and the light song given l as a recall was much apprec hated, i Later in the evening she again took the house by storm, two further recalls being demanded before the audience would allow her to leave the stage. I Mass Doreen Saunders, of Linton, was heard to advantage in elocutionary itemis, which were rendered iu a very pleasing and effective manner. Miss Aim’s rendering of “The Stars that Light my Garden” was more than pleasing and the Society is to be complimented upon having, as a member such a talented soloist. As an encore “All the Fairy Reapers Underneath the Silver Moon,” a difficult piece, was given and the interpretation and modulation were perfect, the high bead notes toeing taken with sureness. Marked ability as a pianist was shown by Mrs S. Kingston, of Palmers!on North, in the piano solo, “First Valse,” by Durand. Mr R. Bishop who has met with such success at recent competitions, gave “Simon Doth Know,” in good style, an encore being required. Mr Bishop has a rich piersing voice, which lie I used with good effect.

The Society is to be complimented upon obtaining the services of such capable and distinguished artists, the items throughout leaving nothing' to be wished for. The concert as a whole was a treat to lovers of music and if in no. other way the Society has justified its existence- by giving to the town a musical treat which will long be remembered by those who in spite" of the inclement weather attended.

At the-'conclusion of the concert the

choir, their friends, and visitors adjourned to the Parish 'Hall and were entertained at supper which was followed by a dance. Here on behalf 0: the Choral Society, the secretary thanked the visiting artists, many ot whom had come from some distance and those who had assisted in the Choral singing for their invaluable aid in making the concert a success. Mr Kingston, Mr Osborne, and Mr Shaw replying on behalf of the visitors. Dancing was kept up for some little time and formed a fitting conclusion to a successful evening. The thanks of the Committee are due to .Messrs Magee and Plaster for their great assistance in choir items and for coming up to Shannon for the practices several times, lhe committee also wisli to thank the for their valuable assistance. Tlie, Clioral Society will start for the next session's work on Thursday next, and a very attractive wobk has been selected, including, the “Chora; Fantasia” of .the opera “Maritana, Members and intending members m asked tO' make a special effort to attend the first practice and hear the result of last concert and discuss same. , ... It is very probable the concert win be repeated in Devin at an early date. • The Shannon Choral Society's Horary now numbers about 900 copies of music, ranging from “Old Mother Hubbard” and “Dame Durden to Sullivan’s ‘Lost Chord” and “Long ■ Day Closes.” This needs very careful and continual watching and caiing for The society is very fortunate in having a very "efficient librarian m Miss Jones. Although from this big Dile of music copies are often taken borne by members, so efficient does Miss Jones do her work that hardly a copy gets lost.