Masterton Presbyterian Church Concert.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4736, 2 June 1894, Page 3

Masterton Presbyterian Church Concert.

The concert in the Presbyterian Church hist evening was a very pronounced success, nnd it is seldom we are treated with a programme of such a high standard of music. Mr W, Ford, in his organ solos, Marches from "Eli," and "Atbolc,"' showed tlio now instrument off to great advantage. Tlio Church Choir rendered two glees, "Sweet and Low" and " The March of the Men of Harlech," with nice expression and good time. Mr J, Skins (who was suffering from a severe cold) somewhat overtaxed himself iii the duet " Love Divine." Miss Johnston made a happy selection of her sons; "Oh, Wlia's at the Window," The next item on the programme was a violin solo by Mr Mowlem—a recent arrival in Mas-ter-ton. He plays with very good taste and linish; probably bis strong point is his bowing, in which so many amateurs are deficient. Mr Mowlem also shewed to great advantage in the obligato to Mrs Butcment's song, He will certainly bo a great acquisition to the musical talent of Mastcrton. Misses Perry and Prentice, ami Messrs lioagcy and llalpli treated the audience to two quartettes, "The Wind" and " The Singer's Quarrel." Their voices blended well, nnd in their second venture there war, hardly a straight face in the room, the quarrelling beiug so natural, We have seldom beard Mrs W, Butcment to better advantage. In her solo " Brnga's Serenade," she was in excellent voico, and had to respond to a very unanimous encore, singing " Fiddle audi." Her duct, "Nocturne," with Mr W. Sininis, was decidedly the gem of the evening; their voices were evenly balanced, and blended beautifully. MrW. Simms was in grand voice, and seemed happy with his old favourite, " I Seek for Thee in Every Flower." He contented himself with bowing his acknowledgment, as he

also did in liis song" Close to the Tlircsliolil." Miss Johnston and Mrs Wood sang vwy sweetly the duet, " I Know a Bank." Jfr Candy is a complete master of the clarionette, lie, however, was greatly handicapped last evening in having to reduce the tono of his instrument down to the piano, which, unfortunately, was considerably below pitch. Wo must not forget to givo MissP, Lowes her share of praise for the able manner in which sho accompanied both vocalists and instrumentalists, Altogether the promoters of last night's concert are to bo most heartily congratulated in their efforts to place a really high-class nnd enenjoyable musical programme before the public.

Atthoconcliisiouoftheprogramme, the Rev. Robt. Wood remarked that the thanks of the committee of management were due to all who had so kindly assisted in the evening's programme, more especially those who belonged to other denominations,