The Choir provided the core of the Choral Society's performance of Handel's "Samson", in the Memorial Hall. With a result that practices for this performance cut into the number of choir practices held during the earlier weeks of the term. The School joined the Choir in singing the Nunc Dimittis in B flat by Stanford, and the following week the whole School sang the Jubilate in B flat, by the same composer, at Matins. The anthem "Turn thy face from my sin", by Thomas Attwood, with Oliver singing the treble solo part, followed the Choir's participation in the Confirmation Service. On the final Sunday of term, the Hymn "Jesu grant me this", by Orlando Gibbon, was sung by the Choir in its more natural setting, as an anthem. The Choir must say good-bye to Mr. Duncan, who has given invaluable help to the tenors in his comparatively short term in the Choir, and also to Miss Arton, the School House Matron, who looked after the Choir's vestments and made such repairs as were necessary to them; the Choir is very grateful to both of them for their services rendered to the Choir. However, it is pleasant to see the occasional return of Mr. Howat, new in his capacity as Master-in-charge of the Junior School, in adding considerable strength to the basses at Evensong.
R.P.
SAMSON The fruits of hard work by the Choral Society, Music Society, the Orchestra and Mr. Waine were noticed in the concert given in the Memorial Hall on Saturday, the 5th of March. Two works were performed: Mozart's Piano Concerto in A major (K.488) and the main attraction, "Samson" by Handel. The piano concerto was very successful; J. R. W. Thirlwell was the soloist for the first movement, 0. B. Hodgson for the second and third. The pianists did themselves credit, in spite of the fact that Hodgson had to take over the second movement from the indisposed P. D. Wilson a few days before the concert. The orchestra gave sympathetic and accomplished accompaniment; a most pleasing performance. "Samson", based on Milton's "Samson Agonistes", was performed by five soloists, fifty-two chorus and thirty-two orchestra, and was a roaring success. The soloists, led by Thirlwell in the title role, with C. J. A. Smith as Micah, the Narrator, D. J. Barker as Harapha, "the tongue-doughty giant", J. R. Wood as Manoah and P. M. Wright as Delilah, sang strongly, audibly and with variety and expression. The chorus, although their music had more than a faint echo of the "Messiah", sang lustily, not so audibly, and obviously enjoyed themselves. The singing was of a high standard, as was the orchestra's lively performance. The labours and struggles against time and flu, which nearly overwhelmed the performance, resulted in a very enjoyable evening for the small audience and for the performers; both left intensely satisfied.
R.K.H. 15