The annual Christmas programme given by the Symphony Orchestra on Dec, 27 at the Lyceum Maestro Paci uses considerable ingenuity each year in building this programme and this season there were Several most enjoyable surprises. He. opened by giving a short tall concerning. the oratorio in general and the -"Messish" in particular to help the children, In the audience 10 understand. the "Messiah" excerpts which followed, The—Cathedral Choir, augmented by the Indies of the Union Church Choir sang "And the Glory." Mrs, Harvey sang "Re-Jolee, Rejoice," which was followed the "Hallelujah Chorus." These were performed under the baton of Mr. RE, Young. They are glorious numbers" and It Is always a Joy hear them.
After a short Christmas fantasy on old folk tunes and the "Pastoral Sym~ phony" by. the orchestra the boys of the Cathedral School presented "A Christmas Eve in 10th Century England" in costume, Solo parts were taken by Mr. J.-A, Tebbs, and Moster Brewer. Their story made use of an old French Melody "Masters i this Hall," "Good King Wenceslas, the "Wassall Song," and "Our Lady's Lullaby." Considering the number in the chorus they had a surprising amount of volume and the quality 33 lovely. 'The solos were" very well taken, 'Atler the interval there were carols, folk songs and dances by children of venous nationalities, In the centre of the stage was a' huge tree elabrately decorated and around it stood one group ready to advance in. the order of the programme, thus making, different picture for each group of singers, The Mrst 0 sing were. the fiitls from the Vu Yen Road School. Their songs were "A Christmas Greet ing" and "The Boar's Head," the latter having a solo sung by Gwen Andrews. Their volees were clear and sweet and their diction was: particularly ce mendable, The Municipal Secondary School of Chinese Girls had a goodly sized delegation which sang" "The Birthday of a King." Tt was most Interesting to hear this familiar anthem sung in Chinese. They. did some extraordinary good shading and their tone quality was of. all times fresh and unstrained, 'The Cathedral School, for Girls presented "Holy Mother's Cradle Song" with Betty Umpleby taking the solo, and Christmas Song." Their part singing was very good and their' voices had that "floating quality which " make children's singing s0 delightful, Spo-lal mention should.be made of the singing of both Gwen Andrews and Bolly Umpleby. Their volees. are very sweet with good carrying quality and their poise was quite wonderful.
"The group from the Primary Japan ese School for Girls presented not only a feast for the cars but one for the eyes as well,. Most of them were in ceremonial kimonos and the effect was entrancing. They gave two songs, "Once in Royal David's City" and "The Wonderful Song in the Airs" both of which were sung very sweetly in Japanese. Then they stood in a semi-circle while one small irl performed a pretty dance, The French Municipal School sang "Les Rois. Mages" and "La Marche dos Rois" with great gusto and swing, It was good, to see and hear the boys this group.
'The last group was from the Russian School. 'They also were In ive costume and presented a most vivid' picture, Their singing master took over the baton and led them through four songs and a Russian dance. One of the songs had a solo art taken very well by M, Stoodenchikoft who has a strong mezzo voice. Their whole group was carried through with fire and dash.
a closing number all of the choirs and the audience Joined in singing "Silent Night, Holy Night Because of the variety of languages coming from the stage and the almost total lack of any language from the audience—who never-the-less did sing—the words meant nothing. but the musical effect was tremendously thrilling, especially when' Maestro ished for pinnissimo on the second louza, Asa christmas programme it was certainly outstanding and will live in the memories of the veritable throng: who more than packed the house.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.