CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1919, Page 4

CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

BAM) RECITAL AT THE PABK. A recital of Christmas muric waa' given at Pukekura Park last night by ; the Citizens' Band. There was a good attendance, and the collection taken on behalf of the bandsmen's Chriitßuu ' benefit amounted to £2O. The band items included a number of the tvyitt selections which have been played at the rtcent recitals and also MYfral Christmas hymns and carols, and the bass quartette "Ireland," by Mew*. Rush, Richardson, N. Handley, gad Owen, who won the competition feZ,' week. ' In addition to the band, the New Ply. • mouth Male Choir also took part in th« proceedings, singing the part emgi "Songs of the Northmen," and "Th*M Chafers " They also pang with splendid i effect in a descriptive item played by , 1 the band entitled "A Day in the Cotton Field." The idea was of darlder going up the river to work, in the field, „; Bingjng as they go. The approach of a v '' ; steamer while they are working is the field arouses some momentary excite* ment amongst them which dies «vij| with the departure of the vessel, and tM number conoludes with the faint tones Df the darkies' songs as they go away i to their homes. Placed as they were on i one of the hills up among the trees, J the singing of the choir in this number 1 was very effective, and the item wai much appreciated. A further attraction of the programme last night was the fancy dancing given by a number of Mr. J. Hoskin'a pupils. During the evening, the Veß. Arch J deacon Evans, president of the Citizens* Committee, presented the medals to Hd successful competitors in lart mek't competitions. In a brief address- fc» thanked the public for their continued Bupport of the band and for their contributions to the Christmas benefit ftted, which was to he closed finally siuitf week. He also assured the battdsmeta of ] the public appreciation of their many services on behalf of local charities. He thanked the Choir for their help, and Mr- Hoskin and his pupils for the aplen* did displays of fancy dancing. The bandmaster (Mr. P. W. G. McDead), who also made a brief speech; explained the purpose of the competitions, which was to encourage the in' dividual bandsmen and also to improve the general standard of playing in the " band. He was well pleased with the result of their first effort in that dl* rection. He thanked the committee for giving the medals for presentation to the winners. Mr. McLeod also etpres««d his w&rm appreciation of the very loyal way in which the bandsmen had st&ck to him, especially during the war period. I