CONCERT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1254, 18 October 1884, Page 3

CONCERT.

On Wednesday evening last the Geraldine Philharmonic Society gave another of their enjoyable concerts in the Oddfellows' Hall, Geraldine. The evening being fine, the hall was well filled with an appreciative audience, many of whom, no doubt, by their presence testified to the skill and worth of the conductor, Mr J. H. Edmonds, who, it was announced at the conclusion of the programme, wielded his baton in that half in that capacity for the last time, owing to his leaving Temuka and going northward. From our personal knowledge, Mr Edmonds will be greatly, missed, as he has since the starting of the Society baen most assiduous and painstaking in the task set before him, and the admirable manner in which last Wednesday evening's programme was carried out amply testified thereto. Miss Fish presided at the piano. The first portion of the programme commenced with the glee by the Society, " Where the Bee Sucks," followed by Mr Thruston, who sang " True till Death," which was correctly rendered. Miss Bosswell sang " To the Woods " very sweetly. Owing to the absence of Mr Eckford, through illness, Mr Lloyd took his place in the duet, " The Maiden," with Mr Edmonds, which received the first encore of the evening, and the last verse was sang over again. The glee " Come Bounteous May," by the Society, was followed by _ Miss Andrews with the song fi Laddie," a pretty piece, and rendered with great taste! Mr Lloyd's song was well received. " Ruby," by Mrs Edmonds, was beautifullv given, and loudly encored, and in response thereto that lady gave " Tell me truly." The first part of the programme concluded with some popular selections by the Society. After the usual ten minutes, the second part of the programme commenced with the glee " When Winds Breathe Soft," by the Society, followed by Mr Lodge in the song " The Old Brigade." This was one of the best pieces of the evening, and .Mr | Lodge was in capital voice. The duet, ' " Starlight on the River," by Mrs Glass and Miss Andrews, was a real treat, and narrowly escaped an encore. Mr W illoughby's song, " I'm a Pirate King," was encored, which was responded to by a repetition of the same. The chorus was rendered by the Society. The glee " From Oberon in Fairy Land," by the Society, followed, and then came one of the most popular songs ofthe evening, Mrs Portersinging "We Parted by the River Side," In response to a deafening encore, " My Pretty Red Rose " was sung with equal effect. Mr Lloyd followed with the song "To Thee I Sing. A great burden devolved upon Mr Lloyd during the evening, owing to the unavoidable absence of two of the alto voices, and he had to remedy the deficiency as best he could in the rendition of the glees. Miss Dunlop sang " The Beating of My | Own Heart " very nicely, and the song | was much appreciated. Some more selec--1 tions were given by the Society, and the sinking of the national anthem, " God I Save the Queen," brought the evenipg's I entertainment to a close.

Tbe Secretary to the Society than came forward and snid he had to thank the audience for their attendance that evening, and he thanked them heartily, but at the same time with a heavy heart, as he had to announce that their talented conductor, Mr J. H. Edmonds, was leaving for Auckland next mouth. He hoped, for the sake ot the Society and the district, that Mr Elmonis would not like Auckland, and would return again amongst them.. We have been requested by Mr Willoughby to make up for an inadvertent omission on his part by according to Miss Fish the hearty thanks of the Society and the public for the great trouble that lady has taken at the Society's practices, «nd privately, whilst the concert was being got up, and for the splendid accompaniments at the conceit itself. The Society, as such, will most likely cease to exist after their conductor leaves, but, before it expires, there will be a general meeting of the members on Wednesday next to say farewell to him, when, no doubt, ike members themselves will express their thanks to the Misses Fish, to whom, with their conductor, much of the success of the Society has been du<\