GAPES' VALLEY CONCERT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1192, 17 June 1884, Page 2

GAPES' VALLEY CONCERT.

On Friday, the 7th June, the Miatreis <ind children of the Gapes' Valley School gave a particularly pleasant and very successful entertainment. Several concerts have been given in thi» district during the past two or three years, all of which have been greatly enjoyed. On these occasions the audiences as well as performers have come from different parts of the district, including Temafca, Geraldine, Hilton, Pleasant Valley, and many persons well known for their musical talents have kindly given their services. The concert on Friday last was of a different character, and was entirely local, the performers being the schoolchildren, assisted by three resident* in the Valley, he audience being present by invitation from the children, and consisting mainly of their relatione. The room was well filled, and we yentare to say the whole affair was as successful and good as any that have taken place previously. The very greatest credit is is due to Miss Buck for the way the children performed. The time and precision in all their songs and catches gave evidence of careful teaching, and showed also that the children had profited well by the instruction they had received. The recitations, always so difficult to deliver with effect, were nicely given, that of 'The Inchcape Rock,' by'John Fraser, being perhaps the best. A certain amount of disadvantage was experienced by the absence of a piano. There waa only an American for the solos and accompaniments, but in spite of this all went well. The performance began by a solo by Miss Shand, ' Dreamland,' followed by ' Green was the Corn' by the children, which deserved the encore it obtained. Miss Shand then sang ' The Clang of the Wooden Shoon,' and we should say she must have found some difficulty in playing the organ and singing, but it did not affect the excellence of <he song. Mr Moore then read a piece from 'Pickwick,' and Miss Gapes sang ' Half-mast High.' This was followed by the first recitation, given by Miss Maud Boutcher, 'The Well of St. Keyne,' end nicely was it given too. Then came the s Last Rose of Summer' by the children, which was loudly applauded, and an encore beine demanded, they sang a catch. Then Master John Fraser mounted the platform, and, looking quite at home there, recited ' The Inchcape Rock. Mies Gapes having sang 'To-morrow' very well, found that she was obliged to sing again before the audience would let her off. The children then gave their best piece, a selection from '' Pinafore,' and all acquitted themselves most creditably. The applause was long, and ano'ther catch followed, given in good time. Almeda Groves recited Tennyson's 'May Queen,' and later on. came two more recitations, the ' Loss of the Birkenhead.' by Jaue Tindall, and 'Bingen on the Rhine ' by Charlotte Bontcher. All these were well done, and nothing struck us more than the perfect self-possession of the reciters, they were evidently well up in their parts and confident. One little fellow was unable to get through his recitation ; he mounted the platform boldly, but on looking down at the mass of faces so close to him his self-possession deserted him. Many of his age would never have got on the stage at all. The other songs by the children were ' Pilgrim's Evening Chant,' ' Good Night' and Come Home.' The last was arranged as a faWeau Divdnt, tb« Toicw

- being behind the curtain, and was very good, only the old reprobate of a father was not quite as solemn (sober we nearly »aid) a 3 he ought to have been. Miss Sbend also played a selection of pieces, reels, etc., and sang ' 1 Cannot Mind ray Wheel, Mother,' all of which were much liked. Mr Moore read • The Little Village Boy * from the lngoldsby Legends and then came the final piece, ' The Ten Little Niggers,' represented by boys and girls in appropriate nigger costume and with their faces horribly black. The delight of the audience waß shown by the constant laughter all through the piece and the loud applause at the end of it. Mr Moore then watmly congratulated the children on their efficiency, and Miss Buck on the success of the entertainment. He considered the love and knowledge of music implanted in them now would prove a valuable element in their education, and they would see the difference between the brightness and happiness of a home where there was a love of music, •nd another where the musical taste was absent—music promoting cheerfulness, contentment and happiness. He then -/_ gave all a hearty vote of thanks, and a '■ special vote of thanks to Miss Buck, and the 'National Anthem' concluded a happy evening.