"Auntie Joan" to leave 2ZW

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 42, 28 April 1933, Page 6

"Auntie Joan" to leave 2ZW

Two Farewell Concerts

HE New Zealand broadcasting world is shortly to lose one af its most popular radio personalities, in the person of Miss Joan Laird (‘Auntie Joan’), lady announcer of Station 2ZW, who is sailing for Australia early in May ta continue her yocal studies at the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney. Miss Laird has a charming and sincere personality, combined with a natural radio voice, and she is equally at home in front of the microphone, whether chatting to women during the morning sessions for womenfolk, or entertaining the kiddies during her very popular Thursday evening children’s sessions, As all

listeners know, she has a beautiful soprano voice, which broadcasts exceptidnally well, and she is often heard over the air during her sessions by request from her many listeners. Miss Laird’s decision ta continue het vocal training at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music is not just an impulse of the moment, but another step towards furthering an ambition 19 become a singer, which she formed early in life. When only twenty she worked her passage to England, determined to have het voice trained there. and so impressed was Basil Marlo, an eminent Londom teacher of singing, with her voice that he undertook to take her up and train her voice. She was later one of 250 successful applicants chosen out of 6000 by the British Braadcasting Company to form the famous B.B.C. National Chorus Choir. ~ It was indeed unfortunate that Miss Laird’s health could not stand the rigours of the English winters, and finally she was compelled to discantinue her studies and return to New Zealand. As a mark of appreciation of Miss Laird’s untiring efforts before the microphone, the 2ZW Radio Club has

decided ta hold two farewell concerts on her behalf -one for children and one for adults. Excellent programmes have been arranged for both concerts, The — children’s cancert will feature "Auntie Joan" and "Bonnie" in favourite children’s session songs, as well as _ talented pupils of Miss Peggy Welch and Miss Zena Jupp, two well-known Wellington teachers of dancing and elocution respectively. In addition, Miss Jupp’s pupils will present a delightful little play, ‘The Willow Pattern.’ Many of Wellington’s leading radio and concert platform artists are featured on _ the programme for the

adults’ concert, including Clement May, nated radio entertainer and Dickensian actor; Owen Pritchard, popular community sing leader, and Victor Lloyd, who, with his Company, wilf present a brilliant one-act comedy, "Squaring the Triangle,’ written by Victor Lloyd. Vacalists featured on the programme are:-Joan Laird, soprano; Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, contralto; Marjorie Bennie, mezzo-soprano; Jean Cerchi (‘‘Bonnie," of the 2ZW Children’s Sessian); Sam Duncan, tenor (of the "Melodie Five’); and Trevor Thomas, bass-all of whom are heard regularly over the air. On the instrumental side, a _ trio formed by William Haydock (Senr.)-. pianist; William Haydock (Junx.), violinist; and Ormi Reid, ‘cellist, wiil play an overture, while solos will also be given by the two last named artists. Both concerts, which incidentally will not be broadcast, will be held in the Blue Triangle Hall, Boulcott Street -the children’s concert on Saturday next, April 29, at 2 p.m., and_ the adults’ on the foilowing Monday, May 1, at 8p.m. Tickets may be obtained at Nimmo’s Ltd., Willis St., or Ernest Dawson's Ltd., Bond Street.