TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21192, 15 August 1940, Page 2

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

CONCERT IN HAMILTON SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT The concert given last night by the pupils of the Hamilton Technical School was a great success. Not only was the Assembly Hall crowded, but the programme presented reached a very high standard, giving evidence of much natural talent trained in the right direction. The musical items were particularly pleasing, and it was good to see this branch of the school’s activities yielding such excellent results. Songs and duets, concerted work, and instrumental items (solo, quartette and orchestral) were given, with complete success. Perhaps the most ambitious event of the evening was the presentation of the cantata, “Hinemoa.” in which Alfred Hill has given life to that beautiful Maori legend of the love story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai. The production was excellent, the melodious music being sung very beautifully by Naomi Kirk (Hinemoa), Mona Ross (Tutanekai), Meringa Te Weri (Tohunga), Mavis Coulston (Tiki), and a strong chorus, with Jack Moorman as pianist. An orchestra of school pupils was another feature of the evening. The young players acquitted themselves very creditably in “Sons of the Brave,” a march by Bidgood, and Schubert’s lovely “Serenade.” The members were:—Violins: Audrey Gilbert, A. Bluett, Winnie Delicate, R. Eastman, N. Hight, J. Hobbs, Daphne Ireland, Norma Luxton, L. Mahood, L. Martin, M. Moorman, Daphne Pittims, Ella Rushton, A. Simpson. R. Stewart, H. Stone. Beatrice Tumata, Walker, Joy Wylie. Cornets: A. Mathews, N. Swinbum. Drums: D. Miller. G. Sampson. Cymbals: L. Watkins. Piano: Jack Moorman. A brass quartette, “Winter Winds,” by Rimmer, was well played by A. Mathews, N. Swinburn, C. Eunson and A. Forrest. “Silver Threads Among the Gold,” with intricate variations, was given in musicianly style as a cornet solo by Neville Swinbum. Very Delightful Singing Rarely is such delightful singing heard in Hamilton as that by the third and fourth-year girls in three very charming songs, “Summer is acoming in” (Circe), “Who is Sylvia” (Schubert) and “The Snow” (Edward Elgar). The voices were sweet and true, the light and shade very artistic, and the part singing well balanced. Good work was also done by the first-year girls in “Nymphs and Shepherds” (Purcell) and “The Keeper” (folk song). The first science boys were very successful in the rollicking sea shanties, “Clear the Track, Let the Bullgine Run” and “High Barbaree,” and the prefects told very amusingly in song what splendid work they were doing. Merle Boag and Marjorie Tooman gave the duet, “Tomorrow” (Una Gwynne) very sweetly. A play, “The Purple Bedroom” (Eden Philpotts), a scene in a haunted bedroom between mortals and ghosts, caused much amusement. The players were:—Reg. Smith, Neville Swinbum; All. Basset, Keith Davan; Don Pedro, Jack Warrington; Ann, Shirley Laxton; Earl Fitzdoodle, Rex Clapp. A dramatic sketch, “The Spell” (Mary Kelly), was given by Evelyn Coulter and Winnie Adams.

Those responsible for the training of the pupils deserve great praise. The music was under the direction of Miss Margaret Roe, with Miss Roe and Jack Moorman as accompanists. The plays were produced by Mr Haydn George, and Miss A. Tietjens was responsible for the costumes.

The programme will be repeated tonight.