Waimate Choral Society.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 290, 2 December 1902, Page 3

Waimate Choral Society.

Contributed.

The Waimate Choral and Orchestral Union gave their fifth concert on Thursday evening last, in the Oddfellows' Hall, when there was a large and appreciative audience present. The work presented was Gaul's "Joan of Arc," which was rendered by a chojus of over 50 and an orchestra of about 12, whose efforts to interpret the descriptive and often times difficult music was in every way successful. The orchestral introduction was followed by a pretty chorus " Hail to the beautiful morning of May," which was well rendered. Mr W, L. Scott gave his recitative and chorus, " Whore is Joan" and " There is no one like her," in which he \vas very successful, although suffering from the effects of a recent cold. This was followed by a short chorus and then came a duet sung by Mrs Hamilton and Mr F. Akhurst, interspersed with "The voices" by the lady members. The music in this portion of the work is very beautiful and full justice was done to it. The chorus which followed, " Our time of sorrow has begun," was one of the most difficult of the evening. The nature of the music fully bears out the meaning of the words and its rendering, by both choir and orchestra, showed very careful training. The music, which up to this time had been of a sorrowful description, here changed and thfl audience quickly showed their appreciation. A well rendered trio by Miss Tinsley and Messrs F. Akhursfc and G. Evans was followed by a recitative and a patriotic song " Who would not fight for freedom," by Mr Coltman, who had to respond to an encore for the latter, which he repeated. A lively chorus " A shepherd maid has passed," thoroughly woke up the audience, who insisted on an encore to the next item, a duet, "Full flows the river," well rendered by Messrs Fulton and Coltman.

il After a a interval of ten »n»n 1 utes, the President, Rev. A. S | Morrison, in a few words we I . corned tlie audience and thanked > them for ttioir attendance. an>i | appreciation. He then, on beh ill '. of the members of the society r presented the conductor (Mr C. J. i Goldstone) with a metronome, ; handsomely cased in rosewood [ and bearing the insqription on a ! silver plate "Presented- to Mr C. , J. Goldstone, by the members of \ the Waimate Choral and Orches- : tral Union, in recognition of his valuable services as conductor for ; seasons 1901-2." On the presen--1 l fcation being made, the members rose spontaneously and heartily sang " For he's a jolly good fel- , low," following this up with three rousing cheers. We were rather surprised that the audience did not rise up and join in the chorus, •particularly as they were the guests of the society for the evening, the concert being an invitation one, but they were perhaps so much taken by surprise that they did not realise what was going on till it was all over. Mr Goldstonehavingresponded, Mr Morrison presented Miss Akhurst, the hon. pianiste, with a gold curb bracelet on behalf of the society, in recognition of her services as pianiste since the society was inaugurated. Mr F. Akhurst briefly responded on behalf of Miss Akhurst, and these pleasant functions being over the concert was resumed. The first item was a difficult recitative and solo by Miss Boyd. These were splendidly rendered, and we have seldom if ever heard tliH singer to such advantage, the applaune which followed showing that the audience fully appreciated the excellence of the performance. Two fine choruses followed, the latter, " On to the Battle," being to our mind the best rendered chorus of the evening. The singing was vigorous, crisp, and evenly balanced and the chorus went with a good swing. A well rendered trio by Miss Tinsley, Mr Scott and Mr G. Evans was followed by a chorus, for men's voices only, "'Tis the Witch," a fine swinging chorus although only a short one. After the next chorus, the orchestra played an intermezzo describing the change from joy to sorrow. This was undoubtedly the gem of the even- • ing. At the start the violins were a little unsteady, but after the first few bars the piece was played with a smoothness and fejling that lias seldom been excelled in Waimate. Another well rendered chorus, "She is Lost," was followed by a solo by Mrs Hamilton, descriptive of Join's farewell to France. Needless to say this was splendidly rendered and with the accompanying voices was one of the most beautiful items of the evening. The work concludes with a fine chorus starting with a repetition of part of the opening chorus, breaking off into a lament for Joan, and concluding witn the plan set to the words, "But her deeds they will live and remain ; they will live in the land evermore."' "God Save the King" brought the performance to a close. The whole performance reflects the greatest credit on the conductor and members and shows very careful preparation. The Society has improved in many ways, particularly noticeable in the clean finish to both choruses and instrumental items, which showed the careful training given by Mr Goldstone. The society is undoubtedly doing a good work in the town and it is to be hoped that those who have the welfare of the town at heart will assist in supporting one of the most deserving of our institutions.