BENEFIT CONCERT

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3597, 8 October 1920, Page 4

BENEFIT CONCERT

I HELP THE ARMY FUND. The concert given in the Presbyterian Hall, last nighiti in aid of -tie Salvation Army Fund, was a very agreeable surprise, for it is doubtful whether lovers of music were ever given a better shillingsworth. It certainly disclosed that there is a widespread love for concerted music which' should be cultivated and gratified. Theconcert also discovered a vocal artist of no mean qua'nty, in Miss Ethel. Macdonald, of Papakai Road. That young lady is not nlore than seveteen years of age and yet has a full round voice of rare quality that seems destined to bring its possessor into platform prominence in the' not distant future. The programme submitted was a lengthy one, and realising* this, the Rev. Mr. Loan, the chairman, lost no time in getting the items off in rapid succession. The conceit opened and closed with the National Anthem being sung by the choir and audience, (accompanied by organ, piano and orjtihestra, giving off a volume of sound rarely experienced in Taihape. Too much cannot be said in praise of the really excellent music contributed by Mr. Geo. Brices' orchestra, and thehope was expressed in several quarters that such a musical combination, had come to stay. The opening number was a. selection entiled "OldFaithful, "which seemed very applicable to the organisation for which the concert was given in aid of. Three perfox-mers on the programme failed to appear, but the Rev. Loan apologised for the absence of Mr. Morris and Mrs.. Banks. The audience was an unusually large one, and they testified their hearty appreciation by very frequent* and generous applause. . It : seemssuperflous to state that Mrs. Stanley Peyton was perfection as accompanist, that fact ought to go without sitating in Taihape, but no one can miss noting the generous enthusiasm that latly throws into her music on all such occasions. Miss Ivy Bellis, organist of the Presbyterian Church accompanied all ithe concerted vocal numbers on the organ most creditably and pleasingly. In Miss Pees Taihape has an elocutionist of considerably more than ordinary, ability her reciting being quite worthy of being 'classed with' professional recitals. Mr. Frank McSweeney, in his well-known style, amused the auuience with humourous' recitals, and bad to hespond i.o an en : ' Core. The vocal solos were all goou, everyone of which were '■irresistibly encored. The sole par excellence was rendered by Miss ; Macdonald. Miss Brodrick Was particulany successful and had to pay the penalty of success. Miss Gallon ay sang very pieusingly and her efforts were rewarded with demanding applause for more; Mr.- J. Dawson was also subjected to a. recall, but amongst the gentlemen, mat o:d plailform warrior,'Mr. Stanley Peyton! Stood out strongly. His numbers need no boucke or praise; he seems an indispensible in all local entertainment. During the evening the newly arrived Salvation Army Cap.am expressed ap- ' preciation of the spirit displayed by the churches towards the' Army, and heartily uhanked the Rev. Mr. Loan far the great assistance rendered to a ; needy organisation. The last item on the programme wa,s an anthem by the choir accompanied by piano, organ and orchestra, the large audience being notably enthusiastic right no the singing of the National Anthem. Some credit is due to the Rev. Mr. Loan for his organisation of a concert that most of the musieans present and many members of irhe audience declared was the best local concert ever given in the town. About the mosT"'srtistic instrumental, item on the programme, sa far overlooked, was the cornet solo brilliante '' Trumpet Triplets' * by Mr. / Geo. Brlce. This piece is calculated to bring out all that a corne'; specialist is capable of both as regards execu- ' tion and tonguirig, as well as being a lip test in range. Mr. Erice played this solo with great taste, making it the show piece of rfte evening.