BURNS CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 262, 26 January 1928, Page 17

BURNS CONCERT

ST. ANDREW’S SOCIETY Enthusiasm ran riot at the Unity Hall last evening- at the Robert Burns anniversary concert given under the auspices of the St. Andrew’s Society. A Burns concert is always the signal for a pleasant display of Scottish sentiment and there was a large gathering of natives of Scotland. Miss Margaret Aitken, who arrived in New Zealand only a few days ago, made her first appearance. She has a contralto voice of good quality and pleased her audience with “My Love is Like a Rod, Red Rose,” “Braw Braw Lads,” “The Auld Scotch Bangs/* and “Skye Boat Song.” Mrs. A. Rattray contributed “There was a Lad/’ and joined with Mr. G. Spicer in the duets, “O. Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast” and “The Crookit Bawbee,” which were enthusiastically received. Others who contributed to the vocal programme were Miss C. Roster, “Ye Banks and Braes,” Mr. William Gemmell, “Scots Wh'ae Hae” and “Macgregors’ Gathering,” and Mr. Spicer, “My Nannie’s Awa.” Miss Audrey Perry contributed clever elocutionary items and Miss Gwen McNaugton added interest to the performance with her Spanish and Hungarian dances. Rosalie Daniels, Billy Peterson, Lorraine Cunningham and Flora Dickson, expressed the national sentiment with neat Highland reels while pipers skirled the accompaniment. The society’s orchestra, under the eonductorship of Mr. J. Ewart, was recalled for its fine selection of Scottish national airs. Miss Lillian Braithwaite made an able accompanist.