They Sing Sweet Harmony

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 13, 22 September 1939, Page 41

They Sing Sweet Harmony

Leader of Cameo Three Has Busy Musical Life

LTHOUGH Clement Howe mainA tains that his work is'-only five per cent. inspiration and 95 per cent. perspiration, most listeners who have heard the Cameo Three will refuse to believe that he felegates the muse of harmony ‘to so small a part. The work of the Cameo Three is closely identified with radio. The recital scheduled for 2YA on September 29 is only one of many which have been heard on the air since the first was broadcast on April 21, 1936, soon after the combination was formed. . The arranging is done by Mr. Howe himself, and with him are Molly Atkinson, mezzo-soprano, and Owen Bonifant, tenor. Mr. Howe sings the bass-baritone, and plays the piano. a The team is well chosen. ‘THe range of ‘voices gives it versatility plus the attraction of novelty built up. on decidedly' original: arrangements, , Mr. Howe pays tribute to what. he -calls their " musical intelligence." ~It. makes their success possible ina "specialised field. He has some claim to musical statiding himself. .When The Listener met him he had just’ finished a strenuous~but, he says, interesting. two weeks as accom-

panist to the Wellington Competitions Society. He is also organist: for the Royal Choral Union, accompanist to the Schola Cantéfum, and has been closely associated with church work for 20 years. Though the trio does a good deal of concert work, every one of its cameos has been written in the first instance for the NBS. The form of their work originated with Mr. Howe, who is responsible for all the arrangements of their songs. His skilful use of just the three voices and a piano gives each item a new interest. Usually working with folk-songs or ballads, he builds round a central theme with an ability recognised in other countries: The Australian Broadcasting Commission, for instance, has purchased a number of his arrangements. The items to be presented on September 29 are to be called "Break of Day" and "Songs of the Open." Listeners who are not familiar with musical technique will appreciate its attractiveness as an item. Musicians will appreciate a technique which overcomes numerous difficulties to join harmony and melody in just the right combination.