SACRED CONCERT AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1127, 28 July 1883, Page 3

SACRED CONCERT AT GERALDINE.

The sacred concert in aid of the furnishing fund of the new St Mary's Church, Geraldine, was held there -last Wednesday evening, and was the gr attest success of anything of 'he kind ever witnessed in that town. It was unsectarian in character, all the churches in South Canterbury beening repreBented ;it was a musical treat; it was unusually well attended; and it wae a financial success. To Mr Willoughby the honor of its success is due. He it wap who at first suggested it, and it was

he that carried it out so successfully, almost single handed. It was a great '-undertaking, and many thought it would not pay at Irst, but Mr Willoughby was not to be daunted by any such fears, and he went to woik with characteristic energy, resulting in the production of the best entertainment and the largest audience ever witnessed in Geraldine. And it would have been much better had not the weather been very unfavourable. Rain fell in torrents during the previous day, but towards evening it lightened to a light mist. Owing to this it was feared

that the attendance would be small, but,

long before the hour for opening the church door, all fears on that head were dispelled by the fact that vehicles crowded with people were pouring into the township from all directions, and that an immense crowd had gathered around the ■ church. There were people from Temuka, Kakahu, Pleasant Valley, Waihi Bush, Peel Forest, Rangitata, and all the intervening districts in attendance, The church was crowded to excess, it being estimated,that, there were over 400 persons present. There ware about fifty. ' performers. The arrangements made . - t or the accomodation of the singers, : as well as the general public, inside the building were in keeping with the magnirficent manner in which the whole affair was carried out from beginning to end. ;,,AVthe east end there was a temporary stage for the singers, and over the centre of it was a candelabra with a reflector

behind it, and this gave the performers

splendid light with which to read their 4 music. Suspended from the ceiling were three chandeliers in each, of which were four kerosene lamps, and in each of the windows .were lighted candles. The chandeliers and candelabra were specially made for the occassin by Mr Fleming, tinsmith. The various other church bodies and societies placed the seals in their churches at the disposal of Mr Willoughby, and thus he was able to proTide splendid seating accommodation also. Credit for this must be given to Mr Willoughby who carried it all through single handed.

A few minutes after the appointed time the concert was opened by an overtune on the piano by Miss Ball, of Timaru, whoso excellent rendoiing of it gave a foretaste of the character of the entertainment. The entertainment, it ought not to be forgotten, was under the conductorship of Mr Edmonds, of Temuka, and the interest he manifested in the proceedings showed that his soul was in it. The united choirs of Geraldine and Temuka sang the anthem 'Thine, O Lord/ in capital time, the voices blending harmoniously together. Mr Rutland followed with the solo by Handel, « Why do the nations.' Mr Rutland's vocal powers are well known to most of us, and it will be sufficient to say that he never appeared anywhere to better advantage. ' Agnus dei,' was the next on the programme, rendered by Mrs Filmer, and Messrs Rowles, Walcotand Edmonds, the solos incidental to the pieco being taken by Mrs Filmer and Mr Rowles. At its conclusion a burst of applause from the audience testified its appreciation. Mr Willoughby came forward aud apologised for the absence of Miss Buckley. Her position on the programme was filled by the united choir, who sang the anthem ' Praise the Lord.' Lambilotle's solo and quartette, 'Quid Retribuam Domino,' followed, Mrs Filmer rendering the solo part, and her singing was greatly admired. Messrs Rowles, Edmonds, and Duval took the other par*g. An example of (Jhurch music by the united Presbyterian Church choirs was then given, the piece selected being Hadyn's " Hymn to the Emperor." Mrs Roue's solo, 'Consider the Lillies,' was a perfect masterpiece and took the audience completely by surprise. Jt pertaiply was the gem of the evening, and we heard ;inany say that the distance they had travelled was amply repaid in the pleasure they experienced in hearing that solo. An encore was enthusiastically demanded, but Mrs Rout merely bowed her acknowledgements and Mr Wi'loughby came forward and announced that no encore* were allowed. * Benedicts' was next rendered by Mrs Filmer, and Messrs Rowles, Walcot and Edmonds. An apology wus given for the absence of the Rav P. 'Wills, and as a

gpbstitqte for his solo Mrs Rout sang ' He shall feed his flock,'and was loudly applauded. The authem by the united choir, ' I will Jift up mine eyes,' in which, the bolo was rendered by Mr Willoughby, who wai in capital voice, followed. The first part of the programme m« thus con? cjuded; Puring the interval Mits Fisher, of Timaru, was to have played Vivian's * Silver Trumpets,' but was onabl* to be praieut.

The second part, of the programme opened with the anthem 'My God look upon me,' by the united choir, followed by Cherubini's solo, ' Ave Maria,' sung by Mrs Filmer, and seldom, if ever have we heard this lady to better advantage.' Haydn's solo 'Roaming in Foaming Billows' was next sung by Mr Rutland, and Rossini's ' Tantum Ergo' followed, as a duet by Mrs Filmer and Mr Duval. Handel's, 'Arm, arm )• brave,' was grandly sung by Mr Edmonds, hi» powerful voice suiting the piece admirably, and it is needless to say that he was, at its conclusion < rapturously applauded. An example of Church music was next given by the St. Mary'e Church choir, in capital time and tune. The solo ' With Verdure Clad' by Mrs Rout was the signal for a hearty outburst of appreciation. After the singing of an anthem by the united choir, the sublime ' Gloria in Excelsis', from Mozart's Twelfth Mass, was sung by the Timaru choir with grand nffect. Mrs Edmonds's solo 'He was despised' was sung by that lady as a substitute for the solo set forth in the programme to be sung by Miss Buckley, Mrs Edmonds's singing was earnestly listened to, and we hope to have the pleasure of hearing this Udy on many an occasion in the future. Rossini's «To Thee, Great Lord' by the united choir was the last on the programme.

The Rev Mr Preston then came forward and said it was his pleasing privilege, as incumbent of Ihe parish of Geraldine, to propose a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who bad assisted at the concert in aid of the Cnurch, The new building was now finished, and soon services would be held in it, as the consecration would take place on the 16th August next. He was glad to see that so many members of other denominations had come forward to assist them. It showed a kindly feeling and he thanked God that such a feeling had always existed in Geraldine.

Mr Edmonds briefly responded on behalf of the ladies, at the same time stating he would always be ready to assist any church. The singing of the National Anthem brought a very pleasant evening to a close. We cannot conclude our report without testifying (o the able manner in which liie Mis«ps Fish and Miss Ball perloi in-. 1 ilie'i- nr>iiioiH task as aocompanyi< son i ; ie |> ano and organ. Mr Edmonds nc.,sii nuiiii.iii'' or i iirougliout, with the e.\ee>>, on <>f inn se eel ions rendered by t'ii<s Timaru ciu>':, when Mr Duval wielded tilH bil! on.