TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1917, Page 4

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

ANNUAL CONCERT. 1 TIIO annual concert by tlie pupils of Uie New Plymouth Technical College was given in the Good Templar Hall last night. There was a large audience, the liall being filled in aiT parts. The first portion of tho programme consisted-, of, the production of T. Mee Pattison's cantata, entitled, "The Song of the Bell," by a chorus of about 70 girls. The work represents the story of the forging of the bell, and is realistically descriptive, and has also woven into it the elements of youth and love and various phases of human experience. The work was given with a good deal of originality of conception, and. the young InditV showed themselves very adaptable and executed well the conductor's idea of the work. The balance of the chorus was good, and the cohesion and ensemble excellent, especially aB some ,of the singers must have had some difficulty at times in seeing the conductor's beat. The choruses were all well given, and the college deserves full credit for tho excellence of the production. Perhaps the best of the concerted numbers was the final, "Now Our Labor's find ia Closing," tho chorus, ''Round the Flames arc fiercely Playing," being also one of the conspicuous items. Of t|ie splo work, that of Miss V. Harrison was distinctly outstanding. Miss Harrison 'was the only vocalist who showed any of that abandon so essential to successful solo singing. 'She also understood something of the meaning and use of facial, expression in singing. Her effort, "Ohj tender, yearning, sweetest hope" was deservedly encored. Of the other soloists Misa Hannah was perhaps the most successful. The duet given by these two young ladies lacked the blenid which is the gj-oat essential to part singing. The work represents the result of the year's training in singing at the college. The choralists were accompanied by a small orchestra, consisting of Misa Eise (piano), Misses I Hurst and M. Oanand Messrs R. George and H. Skolton (violins), Mr. L. Blanehett ('cello), and Mr. G. H. White (organ). Mr. A. Gray conducted. The piano and organ were kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Hoffmann.

The second part of the programme was of a miscellaneous nature, and included vocal solos and The college curriculum includes calisthenics, and Miss Bedford, who controls the classes, has every reason to be gratified with the performance of her pu-pila last night. The spectacular items were extremely popular, and the audience was insistent in its demand for encores. A Spanish dance and a Turkish dance were given. The costumes were gorgeous and the evolutions of the young ladies were carried out with ease and grace from beginning to end. The concert concluded with the National Anthem