ST. BRIDE'S CONVENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9676, 15 December 1909, Page 5

ST. BRIDE'S CONVENT.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.

There was a very large gathering at the St. Patrick's Schoolroom, last night, when the pupils attending the St. Bride's Boarding and High Schools gave a musical and operatic entertainment. The attendance was so large that every available space in the schoolroom was occupied and that with a most enthusiastic audience. The programme was a very long one, and it was nearly 10.30 o'clock before the prizes were set out on the table for the Mayor to distribute. It « is a matter for great congratulation to all concerned that the whole of the i proceedings were so well arranged 1 and careful!:- carried out, every little. : detail being provided for. and dovetailed Into each olher magnificently. The first item, a duo for two pianos, Mosz Kowski's Fackeltanz, was admirably rendsred by the Misses McKenzie, McKenna, Fuller and Hanify. ' This was folowed by a vocaP chorus of over thirty voices, a pleasing item, the voices blending harmoniously throughout, showing careful training. The next item, "The Ride of the Nal Rerie s (Wagner), a weird composition.characteristic of the com.poser taxed the executive abilities, of the young performers,"who "well sustained its mazy intricacies.* Miss Welch contributed the vocal solo "Killarney," With violin obligate by Miss O'Neill. The former possesses a contralto voice of pleasing quality, !, although her enunciation was a trifle; indistinct. Misa O'Neill added r greatly to the performance The St. Bride's orchestra gave selections from'Rescb and Moore, and was composed—Piano. Misa Fowler and Miss C. McKenzie; organ, Miss R. Frost:, 'cello, Miss McKenna; banjo, Miss Taylor; mandolines, Miss Smythson and Miss tfrooks; first violins. Miss O'Neill, Miss* McGrath and Miss R. Page; second vio|ins, Miss Hanify, Miss Will and Master Cress. This was one ot the.most interesting items of the evening. which>as evidenced by the applause at its close. Miss Hanify contributed two pianoforte items with excellent taste, viz., Raff's "La Fileuae," a beautiful little spinning song, and the hrst movement of Beethoven'si appaesionata sonata. Miss Bennington sang sweetly "Love's Mastery." Misses McKenna and Hanify gave a ve*y able performance of Wagner's "Siegfried,"descriptive of a pleasing little romance. St. Bride's singing class, with, about thirty voices, sang "Go Where Glory Waits Thee." In this performance the voices were well balanced, and showed thorough rehearsal. Miss Jones, A.T.C.L..- a pupil of Mr A. B. Wallace, played a 1 pianoforte solo "Capriccio," in B , minor, Mendelssohn, the orchestral accompaniment being played by Mr '[ Wallace on a second piano. Both parts were given in a musicianly manner, and were much appreciated. This brought the first part of the programme to a close, and the second part consisted of the operetta "Cinderella." In putting this perform-

ance before the house the Sisters had spared no pains in its preparation, and the perrormers aii acquitted themselves in a mgnry creditable manner, while the dresses of all were superb and the staging effective. Miss C. Smythson made an ideal"Cinderella,"as she is an actress of no mean order, while her beautiful voice of great range added much to the effect. Miss Welch as the "Baron'' sustained a character she is well adapted for, while as a stepmother who can entirely forget to be kind to a motherless girl who she makes her drudge Miss Colina McKenzie was excellent, and she was well aided in this character by her daughters, the Misses McKenna and O'Connell, who sustained the role "Dolabella" and "Marirella." Miss Hanify as I V Prince" was quite at home, while Miss Molly Bunny made a delightful "Ffliry." The other characters were sustained charmingly. Miss Collerton, "Herald"; Miss K. McKenzie, "Trumpeter"; the Misses Eileen and Kathleen Bunny, D. Page and E. Dixon, "Pages"; the Misses Nelson, Brooks, Hodgins, Parsons, O'Neil and E.Hodgins, "Guards";the Misses Fowler, McCornisky, Crass (2), Dennis and Jones, "Citizens"; and Miss Irene Taylor an incomparable jester. The music for this piece was of high order, and the solo singing deserves a special meed of praise, while the in the distance provided enchanting harmony. As previously stated it was half-past ten o'clock before the musical performances were concluded, and at that hour his Worship the Mayor was invited by the Very Kev. Dean McKenna, on behalf of the Mother and Sisters of the schools, to distribute the prizes. Mr Hollings said that although not being a Catholic, as all knew, he was sufficiently broad minded to see the good that the St. Bride's Convent schools were doing in the community. Thay had that night seen some of the effects of the careful training Siste Gertrude and her associated Nuns were giving to the scholars, and it gave him the greatest pleasure to be able to congratulate them upon their good work. He then handed out the prizes, which consisted of a large number of very valuable books, a beautiful ladies' watch, < and quite a number of costly gold medals.