Senior Science Society

There was, I am afraid, nothing outstanding in the parade of pianoforte items. Kitching played Bach's Chromatic Fantasia, but, as the performer hastened to point out, the work loses much of its attraction when it is not played on the harpsichord. Kemp gave a rather tropical rendering of the Raindrop Prelude, and C. F. Foster played three Fantastic Dances by Shostakovitch, though his interpretation seemed to lack conviction; true, there is nothing very exciting about the pieces themselves, but a more dynamic approach was called for.

Whatever else can be said about the string ensemble, at least they were ensemble. Attack and phrasing were nicely executed, and the unison passages came off very well. Unfortunately intonation was at fault—one sympathised with the stoic determination on the performers' faces.

Brass and wind groups played their pieces well, though there was little to tax either intelligence or musicianship here. There is hope for the future of the School Orchestra yet.

However, despite the faults, it was an entertaining evening. None of the performers need feel discouraged: from such beginnings are musicians made.

Hon. Secretary: S. D. WARD. Hon. Treasurer: J. F. GARTSIDE. House Representatives: The Grove: G. F. BACH. The Manor: P. J. HOLMES. Queen's: S. H. REISS. The Rise: D. N. MILNES. Temple• E. P. RAYNES. School House: F. R. WEST.

As usual the first meeting of the new year, held on 29th September, consisted of a programme of films. The subject covered most adequately was the technique of radio-chemical research.

At the second meeting on 13th October we welcomed our first outside guest speaker in the person of Dr. Summers-Smith. He revealed in his talk how complex and interesting the study of an everyday creature, in this case the house-sparrow, could be, and gave us the full benefit of his knowledge in this field.

Mr. Sedman addressed the Society on 27th October, giving a condensed form of his lectures on car maintenance at York Technical College. This meeting provided perhaps the most practically useful knowledge of the term's lectures.

The final meeting of the term, held on 17th November, welcomed Dr. Ord-Smith of Bradford Technicological Institute. He spoke to the Society about the development and applications of electronic computors. The lecture put into simple terms what must be an overwhelmingly complex subject.

The Committee's decision to limit the Society to fifty members proved successful, in that attendance was always good and the subject-matter was always within our reach. In all, then, a useful and varied term's activity. S.D.W.