CHRISTMAS MUSIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 853, 23 December 1929, Page 14

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

UNITED BAPTIST CHOIRS SING CAROLS

SERVICE AT TABERNACLE

A recital of Christmas music given in the {Saptist Tabernacle on Saturday evening was attended by a large congregation. The hymns, carols and excerpts from “The Messiah” were given by the united Baptist choirs, numbering 200 voices. Some very impressive singing was heard both in solo numbers and in the concerted items. Fine effect was obtained by the rendering of the favourite hymn. "O Come All Ye Faithful.” During,the service prayers were said by the Rev. Joseph W. Kemp. Among the numbers given by the Tabernacle Carol Party were “As I Sat on a Sunny Bank” and “Deck the Hall.” Two solos, one a rendering of Gounod’s “Nazareth,” by Mr. H. S. Reynolds, and the other the song “In the Fields of Nazareth,” sung by Mrs. Halsey Cox, were also well received. A particularly interesting item was an organ and piano duo, “Christmas Chimes.” by Mrs. Brame Clark and Mr. A. E. Wilson. The second half of the programme was given to selections from Handel’s oratorio, “The Messiah,” attractive renderings being given of “And the Glory of the Lord,” “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” “Behold the Lamb of God,” “Lift Up Your Heads,” and a number of others. The “Hallelujah” chorus was magnificently rendered by the full choir. There were also several arias by capable vocalists. Among these were the well-known “Rejoice Greatly,” sung by Mrs. C. Turley, “He Shall Feed His Flock,” by Mrs. A. E. Wilson, “He Was Despised,” by Miss D. Blomfield, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” by Miss Logan, and “If God Be For Us,” by Mrs. J. Litherland. The tenor, Mr. Leslie Turley, also gave several well-rendered numbers, and Mr. Gordon Crocker made the most of a fine bass voice.