Two Jubilee Community Sings

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 44, 10 May 1935, Page 19

Two Jubilee Community Sings

Afternoon and Evening Functions Arranged by Smith Family-Bright Turn-outs Expected — New Board Offices-Good News © of Miss Ailsa Nicol.

A&8RANGEMENTS have now been completed for what promise to be two of the biggest community sings to have been held in Wellington for many years. On Saturday, May 11, Wellington will bring to a close its celebrations in cennection with the King’s jubilee, and the occasion will be marked by two sings of a jubilee character, arranged by the New Zealand Smith Family in conjunction with the Mayor of Wellington. Commencing at 8 p.m. in the Town Hall, a monster sing for children will be held, and in the evening adults will have an opportunity of joining in the singing of the most popular songs and ballads of the period covered by the reign of King George. The organisers of the functions have secured the services of Mr. Alan Brown, the Christchurch song leader, and Mr. Will Bishop, well known to radio audiences throughout New Zealand. © Mr, Frank Crowther will be the pianist for the occasion. ‘I'he principal soloist for the evening function will be Madame Hlsa Stralia, the world famous operatic star, who readily accepted the invitation of the organisers to take part in the function when she learned that all proceeds would be devoted to the relief of distress among women and children. FEATURE of Saturday evening’s Sing will be the most popular songs of the war period. A large body of returned soldiers will be present to lead these songs, and it is anticipated that the audience and listeners will hear community singing as it should berousing and inspiring. The popular ballads of the past 25 yearg will be featured with organ accompaniment by Mr. lL. E. Strachan. All the musical societies of Wellington have been asked to co-operate on this occasion, and it is hoped that the singing will he led by a choir of more than 500 voices. The proceedings at both functions will be relayed from either 2YA or 2¥C. a a IKE the B.B.C. in London, the New Zealand Broadcasting Board is rapidly growing. The head office in IFreatherston Street, Wellington is no longer large enough to accommodate the increased staff, and quite recently additional offices were taken in the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Buildings. ‘ N Sunday, April 28, the civi: reception to General Evangeline Booth was relayed from the Wellington Town Hall. A speech of welcome was dclivered by the Mayor, Mr ‘fr C, A. Hislop, and General Booth gave quite a-lengthy and interesting address, That evening the Salvation Army meeting was relayed from 2YA between 7 and 8.80 p.m.

MAN Wellington and Christchurch listeners will remember having heard the delightful soprano voice of Miss Ailsa Nicol over the air and at concerts before she left in 1931 to study at the Royal Academy, London. Miss

Nicol obtained the degree of L.R.A.M. in her first six months at the Academy, and now holds bronze and silver medals and the Third Year Certificate for singing. She has sung at two Chamber Orchestral Concerts, and received commendation from the famous conductor.

Sir Henry Wood. As "Hansel," in "}Tansel and Gretel," she was most successful. Recently Miss Nicol was

chosen by the Associated Board to demonstrate a. lecture given by Dr. Stewart MacPherson, ‘the well-known authority on Rudiments and: Harmony, to the prize-winning ‘students at: Southampton. She was also: chosen by Dr. MacPherson to demonstrate classica! and folk songs.in a series of lectures to school children and teachers at the Royal Academy of Music, HE broadtasting season of -both wrestling and football commenced from 2YA last week. On'Saturday the opening football match of the year was broadcast by Mr. O. Lamberg from Athletic Park. (THE latest result available in the "We Await Your Verdict" series of broadcasts, was that of the case in which the Crown charged George Pentrope with the murder of. his ‘wife, Elizabeth Pentrope. The jury of. listeners returned a verdict of "Not Guilty" by an overwhelming margin.