Returned Soldiers' Choir

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 6, 21 August 1931, Page 7

Returned Soldiers' Choir

Unique Dunedin Combination

UNEDIN has the unique distinction of having a choir composed of returned soldiers-the only such choir in the British Empire, and it is an excellent choir, too. One of the finest tributes to it came from Mr. Peter Dawson, who, during his recent visit to New Zealand, attended a practice of the choir. After hearing the singing of two part-songs, "Mr. Dawson, in the course of a few _& marks, spoke in very favourable terms of the quality of tone, precision of attack, and general balance of the choir, and stated that in all his travels © in the British Empire he had never experienced such a surprise as the exservice men had given him that evening. He was quite genuine when he stated that in all his numérous engagements with other choirs in England and Wales he had never heard anything to surpass the Dunedin @eturned Soldiers’ Choir. . The choir was founded in 1919 under Mr. Paget Gale, but it was first suggested on a transport which was ¢arrying New Zealand troops to Gallipoli. In their care-free manner the soldiers were holding a community sing, during "which a digger expressed the wish that if they survived the war they would form a Dunedin choir. They knew that behind th clouds the sun was still shining. ‘The soldier who then made me Susgestion is now a member of the oir. That was the genesis of the splendid organisation numbering 60 voices, one of the best choirs in Dunedin. Every member was on active service. "No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth," wrote. Southey, and in this choir these veterans of the war find great pleasure. Enduring friendships have been formed. In 1924, the present conductor, Mr. John Leech, took over the reins. Mr. Leech is well known as conductor, lecturer, and tenor vocalist. He received his musical education in Manchester, England. The choir’s accompanist is . Charles ‘A, Martin, Mus. Bach., LB., who has a splendid reputation ag an accompanist. A concert by the choir will be broadcast by 4YA on Wednesday, August 26.