PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONCERT, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XX, Issue 1696, 19 May 1883, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CONCERT, CAMBRIDGE.

The concert held in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Wednesday evening last, in aid of the building improvement fund of the above church, was a marked sue* ceas in every way. The hall was crowded, many of the audience finding standing room only, and a good programme was gone through in a manner highly satisfactory to the listeners. The anthems and glees were especially well rendered by the choir, supplemented by members of the Church of England and We3Jeyan choirs, under the able cohrtuctorship of Mr F. J. Brooks, who wielded the baton in a thoroughly efficient mariner. The glee " Where art though beam of light" was particularly well sung, and evoked hearty applause. The accompaniments were skilfully played by Mrs Chitty, Miss Watson (of Auckland), and Misses Hunter and Taylor. Mr F. Houghton also contributed the harmonium accom* pam'eut to one song. The Cambridge String Band, under the leadership of Mr James Stuart, contributed a couple of selections in the second part of the en» tertiinment, besides assisting in the accompaniments to the anthems. We would" suggest to Mr Stuart the advisability of placing his band somewhat differently on another occasion. The 'cello \vm almost unheard through being placed in the back ground, and at times the band .sounded all cornet. Among the soloists Miss Hunter and Mr Simms appeared to be most appreciated by the audience, being encored in the songs " Tit for tat" and "Ihe British Liou," though we preferred Miss Hunter in " Angels ever bright and fair," which she substituted for "Eve's Lamentation," and which was charmingly sung. Mr Simms is possessed of a robust voice, well adapted to songs of a patriotic style. Mrs Hngh Ferguson was heartily applauded for her rendering of " Gloomy winters' noo awa " and " The Golden stair." Miss M. Taylor sang " The better lanrl" very sweetly, though apparently nervous, and Miss A. Johnson gave " Low at thy feet" very nicely, and with great clearness of emmchtion. Miss E. F. Young and Mr Simms were very good in the somewhat hackneyed duet, " What are the wild waves saying," though the gentleman took his part rather too slow, and Mr H. W. Moore gave two excellent songs, "Nazareth" and " London Bridge," in his usual capital s(ylc. There were one or two departures from the published programme, which was given as follows :— Overture, organ, Mr A. J. Evans ; anthem, '• Lord of all power and might," choir ; solo, •• The better land," Miss M. Taylor ; solo, "Nazareth," Mr H. W. Moore; solo, "Angels ever bright and fair," Miss Hunter ; anthem, " Incline thine car," choir, Mr Simms taking the solo pai t ; solo and chorus, " The golden stair," Mrs H. Ferguson ; solo, " Low at thy feet," Miss A. Johnson 5 anthem, "I will lift mine eyes," choir ; overture, string band ; song, " The Pilot," Mr Simms ; glee, " Village Bells," choir j song, •' I fear no foe," Mr G. D. Hunter ; song, " Gloomy winter, 1 ' Mrs Hugh Ferguson ; glee, " Where art thou beam of light," choir ; song, " London Bridge," Mr H. W. Moore ; duet, " What are the wild waves saying," Miss E. F. Young and Mr Snnms ; selection, " Fill boys and drink about," string band ; song, M Tit for tat," Miss Hunter ; song, "The British Lion," Mr Simms; glee, " Calm be thy slumbers," choir.