MAORI CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1011, 30 June 1930, Page 10

MAORI CONCERT

UNUSUAL ITEMS GIVEN

Maori songs, hakas, ceremonies and dances given by the pupils of St. Stephen’s College and Queen Victoria School attracted an unusually large audience to the Town Hall on" Saturday evening. The beauty of Maori singing was best shown in the items i in which the voices were harmonised, i an Q these proved popular. Careful training was evident in all numbers. and Mr. Colin Mustoh had aimed to present the items as free as possible from English influence or modification although orchestral accompaniment was found to be necessary in most cases. The traditional songs, “Pokaro Kare,” sung by Kito Jvnhotea. and the male chorus, ‘Te Arawa Tirohia Ra.” “Mine e Hine.” " M °e Mai e Hine,” “To Wairun o te Ton. ’ and “Haere rae Hine,” and “Po Atarau.” were given in addition to i Alfred Hill’s well-known songs. “Home Eit-tlc Maori,” “Song of the locust." and ”L\ aiata Maori.” Tlie boys gave an exhibition of tumbling and pyramid-forming, and the girls executed difficult marching formations. The girls also performed the beautiful “Waka” poi, representing the voyage from Hawaiki to New Zealand. The poi dances also included the long poi. the combined poi, I and a narrative poi telling the story j of Ilinemoa and Tutanekai. Several I games, accompanied by hakas and songs, were presented by the boys. ! interesting visiting ceremony, comprising welcomes, paying respects t<> the dead, and mutual courtesies, was another unusual item which created much interest.