SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

Shannon News, 14 October 1927, Page 4

SHANNON CHORAL SOCIETY.

AN ADMIRABLE PERFORMANCE. '' MERRIE ENGLAND ' ' ASSISTED • BY DISTINGUISHED SOLOISTS. If' music can be visualised as colour, the offering of the Shannon Choral Society last evening, in "Merrie England," was like a very pretty bouquet, in which there was a preponderance of warm and cheerful tints. The effect was quite a revelation, and the memory of the work will be emphasised by the indelible stamp of success. Life is full of surprises, and last night's concert was one of them. The Maoriland Theatre was virtually crowded, and the audience, which was favourably impressed at the opening, became worked" up to the genuine pitch of artistic excitement long before the performance was over. The predominant feature of the recital was the quality of the voices, and next to that was the life and brightness with which the whole show sparkled. The society is fortunate in having so many young singers, whose freshness and sweetness of tdhe has a wonderful appeal to the senses. In this respect the sopranos Were superb, and they are capable of great achievements. One singer in particular was admirable, and she was unquestionably the leader of the section. Her notes were strong, clear and of a silvery mellownessI—a 1 —a capital choir voice, which occasionally carried the singer away with it to. too great degrees of emphasis, but which was nevertheless invaluable as a lead. The ladies are the heart and soul of this society, without a doubt, and the tuneful material which they provided is adaptable to much expressive development. The altos bore their part nobly; .they are never numerous enough in amateur circles to give a perfect blend, but still their contribution was noticeable and creditable. The tenors and basses, who were reinforced by some members of the Levin society, were thoroughly reliable and their share of the production was marked by almost scholarly accuracy. That such results can be produced in a small country town, where musical facilities are not specially fostered, suggests that much painstaking study and practice has been undertaken, with a determination to succeed. Much of this spirit is undoubtedly due to the radiant energy and conscientious aptitude of the conductor, Mr. Howard Andrew, whose personality is of the compelling order —an invaluable faculty in the director of a musical organisation. His choir responded almost to his thoughts, and it wae their general attitude of alertness that was mainly responsible for the fine swing with which the work proceeded. In the opening chorus, "Sing a-down a-down," the attack and release could hardly have been bettered, and the volume of sound was sustained with great consistency. A very popular impression was created, manifesting- itself in whole-hearted applause. The choruses with the solists were taken with every confidence, which reacted on the principals to such an extent that it was easily discernible that they were in true communion with their supports. "That every Jack should have a Jill'' was given Avith all thevivacity that such a ballad demands; and the full depth of the patriotic motif was revealed in "The Yeomen of England" and "Long Live Elizabeth." In quite another vein was "0, Peaceful England," where there was more restraint than might have been expected from so full-throated a company. The finale to the first part of the operetta is a little intricate for a small society, but a surprise was again provided by the neat- way in which this band of songsters came through it. All through the second part they retained their vocal form and their care of details. There was indeed little to criticise, except that the sopranos somewhat outweighed the other parts; but then their singing was sc, nice, and a faithfully balanced choii i» so hard to come by, that it is best to leave it'at that. Shannon Iras some voices whose echoes are like fragrance, and Mr Andrew has utilised them to palpable advantage by his directive ability.

With undisputed wisdom the society engaged two of the best soloists in the Dominion —Miss Naomi Whalley, of Palmerston North, a soprano who i> approaching tho zenith of her career, and Miss Nora Greene, of Wellington, a finished contralto. Both of these charming artists won their way to the innermost susceptibilities of their hearers, and were honoured with floral tokens and with encores for all their items. They were in the presentation of the same operetta by the Levin Society earlier in the year, butjast night they were, if enyahing, in even better form. Certainly this was the case with Miss Whalley, who seems to go from one triumph to another. The liquid top notes, the range and flexibility which she possesses were demonstrated in a remarkable degree, and the audience at no time felt that they had heard enough. Their appreciation of the Waltz Song amounted to an ovation. With Miss Greene there was the same conquest of the public, achieved through a distinct style, with an attractiveness inseparable from the individuality of the singer. Mr J. Garde Grimshaw, of Palmerston, capably interpreted the rather trying tenor role, and Mr J. .D. Brown, of Levin, added to his laurels as a baritone soloist. The small bass part was rendered choicely by Mr 1. C. Lemmon, of Levin.

The instrumental accompaniment was well worth going a long way to hear. The society's pianist, Mrs Clifford Jones, acquitted herself with considerable merit, and received an acknowledgment in the form of a handsome bouquet. Special mention is due to Miss M. Neale's orchestra, consisting of young players, whose performance was really captivating and who evoked a positive demonstration after their playing of the intermezzo. Altogether the recital was a most happy-one, i<ud all who were con-

cerned in it must be highly eompli mented.

Subsequently, in the Parish Hall, a social was held, at which Mr Morgan,, president of the Society, welcomed the visitors, especially the helpers from Levin. He called* for a hearty vote of chanks to Mr Andrew and the society, and this was given with enthusiasm. The conductor, in responding, thanked all present and expressed his gratitude to the choir and the visiting helpers for their earnest co-operation with him. He also voiced his appreciation of the president (Mr Morgan), the secretary (Mr Moodie), the executive, the pianist (Mrs Jones), Miss Neale's orchestra, and the soloists.

Mr C. E. Shaw, chairman of the Levin Choral Society, praised the manner in which the concert had been produced, and congratulated the choir. He also complimented the society on the selection of two soloists of such high standing as Miss Whalley and Miss Greene. It was gratifying to know that a small society had been able to take such a step. The visitors from Levin had enjoyed a real musical treat.

Songs were contributed by Miss Whalley, Miss Greene, Mr J. L\ Brown, and Miss Aim. An excellent supper was served, and dancing was indulged in till the early hours of the morning, bringing to a close an occasion well Worthy to be long remembered in the history of the town. The next choral practice will be held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday next, instead of- Thursday, at 8 o'clock. All members are asked to come and bring their books of "Merrie England."