ENTERTAINMENT BY THE PUPILS OF ST. DOMINICK'S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 51, 20 December 1900, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENT BY THE PUPILS OF ST. DOMINICK'S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN.

There was a large audience in the Agricultural Hall, Dnnedin, on Friday night when the pupils of the Dominican Nuns gave one of those enjoyable entertainments for which they are distinguished. The audience, bearing in mind the high reputation which the good Sisters hold for the excellence of the musical education imparted by them, naturally expected an entertainment of more than ordinary excellence, and in this they were not disappointed. It may be here mentioned that during the past four years there has not been a single failure amongst the candidates sent up from Si. Dowinick'a Coll«*gfl for the various musical examinations, whilst many sucoeeded in getting honors and distinctions. The opening item wan a chorus, ' Night bells," nicely sung by about 50 of the pupils. Misses Seelye, Liston, 0 Connell, Griffen, Carey, and Meenan contributed a pianoforte duet in a finished manner, and the same might be said of a pianoforte trio by Misses Jackman. Montague, and Wood. A pianoforte solo by Miss Courtis, a duo (three pianos) by Misses W»rd, Baker, Liston, Seelye, Courtis, and Paton, and a solo (three pianos) by Misses Ward, Paton, and Courtis were excellently played, and left nothing to be desired. Miss O'Connell displayed considerable elocutionary talent in her recitation, * The Fool's Prayer,' for which she was warmly applauded. In addition to the opening item there were two other choruses—' Little flower girls.' by the junior pupils, and a ' National anthem ' by all the pupils — both of which were admirably sung, the latter being especially effective. Miss Ewing got a well-deserved encore for a finished rendering of her song, ' Dear heart.' The balance of the programme was made up of * Pas des Eoharpes,' by the kindergarten, and ' Moonlight fairy revels,' by the college pupils, both items being gone through in a style which denoted careful training. Miss Moloney accompanied Miss Ewing's song and Miss Guffie the children's exercises. During an interval his Lordship Bishop Verdon read the report of the directors of the college on the work during the past year. St. Dominick'B College has been a centre for the musical examinations (practical and theoretical) for the past six years, and an analysis of the results obtained during that time will speak for itaelf. A thorough musical training has always been a feature of the college. The art studio has tamed out good work daring the past year, and the system of drawing from models throughout the school has proved very successful. The study of modern languages keeps well to the fore, notably conversational French. The much-coveted prize, the wreath for amiability, is awarded by the votes of the students, who are almost invariably unanimous in their estimate of the winner. This year it has been won by Miss Geraldine O'Connell, who received »0 per cent, of the votes of her school companions. A prize of equal distinction is that awarded by the nuns themselves, for fidelity to school discipline, and has been won by Misß Jessie Kelman.