ST. ANDREW’S NIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1940, Page 7

ST. ANDREW’S NIGHT

CONCERT ON SATURDAY EXCELLENT PROGRAMME. ITEMS BY LADIES' CHOIR AND OTHERS. The Opera House, Masterton. was well filled on Saturday night when the St. Andrew Society of Masterton celebrated St. Andrew’s Night with a concert which set a high standard in entertainment. The proceedings were ojppned in traditional Scottish fashion by the piping in of the Chief, Mr H. Mackenzie Douglas by Chief Biper Thomas Pickett. After the singing of the National Anthem of Scotland, led by the St. Andrew Ladies' Choir, the choir, under the baton of Mr William C. Mann, musical director of the Society, were heard to advantage in "Afton Water."

A popular item was a Highland Fling performed by Nita Hearle. John Sexton and Jack Ryan. Mrs ’ Merle Gamble, who received a particularly good hearing sang "Callin' Herrin’,” and "Whistle and I'll come tae ye my Lad." "Robin Adair,” "My Heart is Suir,” and “We’d Better Bide a Wee.” Chieftainess Mrs Robert Miller was in excellent form lor her elocutionary item, to which she responded with an encore. Miss Edna Corlett was a graceful performer of a sailor's hornpipe.

Mr W. Roy Hill, who possesses a pleasing voice sang "Mary O’ Argyle.” and "Maid of Morven,” and later in the evening "Afton Water” (special setting), "Bonnie Earl O’ Moray" and "My Love is like a red, red Rose." The St. Andrew dancers rendered Scots country dances which proved most interesting. Miss Jean Lowry, wearing the Buchanan tartan, danced the Sean Triubhais. and was encored for her excellent performance. Miss Gwen Greig was heartily encored for her pianoforte solos.

The St. Andrew Pipe Band, under Pipe-Major J. Hounslow and DrumMajor D. E. Tooby was in excellent form for a selection which was aptly described as “Ye Caledonian War Pipes Play.” Two outstanding items on the programme were “Eriskay Love Lilt” (soloist Miss Rose Robinson) and “The Campbells are Coming" by the ladies' choir. The latter item was sung twice by popular request. The accompanistes were Mrs H. M. Morton and Miss E. M. Valentine. The following tartans were worn: — Cameron, Cameron of Erracht, Cameron of Lochiel, Gordon, Macgregor, Mackay. MacKenzie, MacLaren Munro. Ramsay. Royal Stewart. Robertson, Sutherland (Black Watch), Green Douglas, Grey Douglas. MacDougall. Mac Lean, Hunting Stewart. Urquhart, Forbes, Macintosh, Red Scott, and Buchanan.

The singing of “Auld Lang Syne’ and the National Anthem brought the gathering to a close. At a subsequent' gathering in the Country Club Rooms, the Chief. Mr Mackenzie Douglas, complimented all performers on their efforts, and congratulated Mr Mann on his work in connection with the choir. Reference was also made to Miss Margaret McLaren’s work in training the dancing team. Mr Douglas paid a tribute to the St. Andrew's Pipe Band, and stated that although the Society did not wish to make an appeal at the present time for the uniform fund, all donations would be accepted with thanks and kept in trust for that purpose. The concert programme was as follows:— “Afton Water," the Choir; Highland Fling, Nita Hearle, John Sexton and Jack Ryan; soprano solos, Mrs Merle Gamble; recitation, Chieftainess Mrs Robert Miller; Sailor's Hornpipe, Miss Edna Corlett; tenor solos, Mr W. Roy Hill; Scots country dance, "The Scottish Ramble.” Saint Andrew dancers; pianoforte solos, Miss Gwen Greig: selection, the Band; "Eriskay Love Lilt” (soloist, Miss R. Robinson), "The Campbell's are Cornin'the Choir; Sean Triubhais, Miss Jean Lowry; soprano solos, Mrs Merle Gamble; recitation,. Chieftainess Mrs Robert Miller; Sword Dance, John Sexton. Jack Ryan and Miss E. Corlett; duet. Mrs Merle Gamble and Mr W. Roy Hill; Scots Country Dance, “Monymusk,” Saint Andrew dancers; tenor solos, Mr W. Roy Hill; “Comin Through the Rye,” “Oh, Where, tell me Where?" the Choir. Half the net proceeds of the concert will be donated to the Provincial Patriotic Fund.