The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-05-09 00:00:00

Dorsetslltre•

AKATEUR CONCERT AT THE DORSET
COUNTY SCHOOL.

No longer ago than the middle of the last century,
Lord Chesterfield, in those "Letters to his son," which
have formed the basis of our modern instruction in
gentlemanly deportment, advises the young man " to
avoid the practice of music and singing as unworthy
the character of a gentleman." Rapplily we have
fallen on better time., when music and singing are
regarded as velculde means of refinement, and as afford-
ing hours enjoyment the most pare and elevatieg. It
is, therefore, a matter for congratulation that at our
Dorset County School musks is not neglected in the
round of studies. A glee class has been formed amongst
the pupils, and, under the instruction of Mr. Boyton
Smith, they have made no small progress in the
•' diviee art." It was &kindly thoughtof the Head Muter
to arrange an amateur °omen, blending entertainment
and demonsiration, for it afforded an opportunity for
these young gentlemen to show how they bad profited
by the care bestowed on their Washing, and, at the same
time, to gratify • large number of the friends of the
schoal and parents of the pupils. The design was carried
.ut most successfully, with the co-operation of a few
local amateurs. The Rey. R. G. Watson, M.A., issued
abaut 300 invitations to the County School for last
Thursday evening, to hear the performances, and the
spacious dining hall wes completely filled. 'Gm company
included :—The lion. Mrs. Williams, Colonel and Mrs.
Bingham, Miss Maddlaton, Captain Sanctuary, Captain
Lied Mrs. Burnett, Captain Bingn am, Rev. W. Barnes,
Dr. O'Brien, RAI. A , Mr. and Sim Aldlworth. Miss
Blanche South, Miss Pearce, Mes Reslitl Campbell, Mrs.
Bird and party, Mr. Pavey, Misses Pavel-, Mr. O. J.
Andrew., Mr. G. Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Emma, Misses
Emson, Mr. Idansel (Dorset Militia), Mr. Ferrer (Dorset
Militia), Mr. Cacanbs (Dorset Militia), Mrs. R. G.
Watson, Miases Tucker, Miss Pettlerew, Miss Talk,
Mr. and Mrs J. G. Symes and party, Mrs.
Coombs, Misses Coombs, Mr. T. Coombs, jithr.,
Dr. Pierce, Dr. Hollis, Rev. J. Evans, Mrs.
Hodges, Mr.. J. F. Hodges, Misses Hodges, Mr.
and Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Symonds, Mr. and Mrs. A.
Pope (hionkton), Mr. and Mrs- Saunders, Mrs. Mukew,
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. J. Good and party. Mr. and
Mrs. Atkins, Ur. and Mrs. Robert Damen, Mr. William
Galpin, the Mayor of Dorchester and Miss Bennett,
Mr. and Mrs. (Lush, Mies Lush, Mr. A. Lock,
Mr W. Lock, Mimes Look, Mrs. F. Lock and
psrty, Miss Lock aad party, Miss Sansom, Mr. A.
J. Smith and party (Bradford), Mr. G. Scutt (Martins.
tows), Mr. Robinson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Biggs, Mr.
Joseph Homer, Mr. Byrnes and party (Nether Geese),
Mr. Rowe, Mrs. John Chick, Miss Mayo, Mr. and Mrs.
Cox (Hyde), Mr. T. Cox (Lucoombe), Mr. and Mrs.
Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. A. Spicer, airs. and the Misses
Cull, Mrs Duke, Miss Warne, Mr. and Mrs. A. J.
Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Caine,, Mrs. Vaisey and Party,
Mr. G. H. Davis and party, Mr. Way, Mr. Harding,
Mr. T. Look, Mr. and Mrs. Frost, Mr. and Mrs.
Darden, Mr. and Mrs. L:ng, Mr. Sounders, Mr. Case,
Mr. and Miss Ramsey, Mr. Parmiter, Mrs. and Miss
Dunn, Mr. Brown (Maiden Newton), Mr. Swatridge,
Mr. Masters, Itc.,
Of course, the whole of the pupils were present,
evidently enjoying the music as much as any of the
company. At the sames of their confreres in the trios
and duett they manifested the heartiest delight, and
we were mush pleased to see it, as indicating that
esprit de cops which does so mush for sehools and
every other institution. The hall was nicely arranged
for the occasion. A platform was provided at the upper
end for the imrforecers, the front of the stage
being decorated cith elegant greenhouse flowers ;
and the lamp brackets around the room were adorned
with little colourist flogs bearing the monogram of the
school and a bouquet of flowers. The arrangements
were excellently reeds, and, with the good hien of tee
Mondey and Yr. 'llenbrell, two of tie masters, the in-
vited readily found their goats. The programme was
admirably selected. It included a great variety of
styles of music, with instrumental and vocal pleasantly
blended.
The cowed opened with the overture to "William
Tell," performed by Mrs. Pavey and Miss Bessie Lock
on the piano, and Mr. Boyton Smith on the harmonium!
Nothing Gould have been more effective. Ths dramatic
brilliancy of the music elicited by the fair pianistes,
and the remarkable variety of toue pr4dueed by the
harmonium, combined to render the popular overture
with all the charm of • nurneroue band. The ladies
showed themselves to be accomplished 1111140111115 as well
as skilful executanti, and won weldmeritel applause;
while, of course. Mr. Boyton Smith displayed the good
qualities of the humionium to the utmost advantage.
We believe the instrument used is by a new maker
Hargreaveri, of Manchester —and his name is worth re-
membering. The glee class, with the Rein R G.
Watson, Mr. B. F. H. Edwards, Mr. Wells, Ice. tak-
ing the parts tor men's yokes, then gave "The Village
Choristers," and the stirring strains of this telling little
part-song were admirably sung, the good points of
distinct articulation, and a careful observance of light
and shade being well marked. Mrs. Shaw, of Came,
an amateur of whom Dorset may be proud, sang
"Napolitene," • sweet dreamy melody, wedded to
pretty words of reverie, with exquisite taste, and •
rich well-trained voice. There was a vocal accompani-
inent to the sang, and its subdued phrases,like • whis-
pered response, heightened the effect of the song.
Appreciative applause was won by this performance.
Three of the pupils—F. Adlam, B. S. Dibben,
sal J. Newberry then came forward to sing
" Come to the old oak tree," and they were greeted
with an encouraging cheer. The boys stag marvel-
lously well. Adlam has • splendid finte.like voice,
Dibben took his part successfully, and Newbetry sang
the contralto in capital style, with amusing gravity
and resolution. They were applauded with affectionate
enthusiasm, and the audience were so well pleased
that they insisted on • repetition. Mrs. Pavey accom-
panied them with much ability on the piano. Mrs.
Shaw neat sang the wiretaps " In questo 'empties," from
Donisetti's opera 'Moose, "Batley," and her rendering
of 'the difficult phrases with which it abounds wu
artistic and even in a high degree, while the, beauty of
the air was unmarred by that undue straining after
effect which is the common weakness of amateur sin
lug. The accomplished vocalist we, heartily applauded.
Next on the programme was the qaartett '• Come
where the cowslip bloweth," but in consequence
of the indisposition of Mr. Herbert Hodges, who was
announced to take part in it, that was omitted, and Mr.
Boyton Smith played (by desire) a pianoforte fantasia
id his own composition, and which has achieved con-
siderable popularity, entitled " Killarney." It was
given with the masterly skill that has distinguished Mr.
Boyton Smith, and the ears of the audience were most
pleasantly tickled by hearing the familiar strains of Irish
airs in every variety of combinatioo,provoking the idea of
fairies pelted with flowers—at one time almost hidden
by garlands which gave them new beauties—at another
appearing in charming prominence with simple grace.
Iminenee gratification wasafforded by this performthoe.
Mr. H. Wells then sang "Both sides of the question,"
one of those didaetie songs that barb lately been
popular, and elicited fervent marks of approbation.
In the abacuses of Mr. H. Helga*, a duett had to he
omitted, and Mrs. Shaw kindly filled the blank so occa-
sioned by single, Bishop's lively air, "Love has eyes,"
with exquisite taste, delighting all present, an I
evoking great applause, and an unmistakeable
recall ; upon which the fair vocalist gave
an Italian song with equal grade and success. It
was followed by a mirtti-provoking quartett, "Call
John,' the singers being Mrs. Shaw, Mrs. Pavey,
Boyton Smith, end the Rev. it. G. Watson. The
"argument" seemed to be that four of • fuzzily were
puzzled how to sing a song, and reverted in their dia.
courktare to the medial genius of the establishment,
John—a rather irascible gentlemen, as genaises are
privileged to be. Hume "John" was felled by the four
voices with amusing reiteration and persistency, age
at length John (Mr. Edwards) appears, gruffly inquir-
ing what they want. With effusion they implore his
aid, but he resents their blandishments, being obviously
out of humour that they have disturbed him, and
breaks in seen their request " Oh! John, can you tell
us"— with Tell you what?" "Tell us how," soy they.
" How to what V' urges he. "How to sing?' plead
they. "Sing what?" he demands, and so the matter
proceeds till having aseertainesi their need, he
graciously deigns to tell them how to sing the song.
With pedagogic gravity "John" proceeds to sol.fa the
music they give him, but only to elicit • storm of "no,
noes" and laughter from the merry quartett. Another
trial or two follows with the same result, and "John"
turns away with mock disdain, saying, " such
a set of blunderbeads will truer learn to sing." The
piece is exceedingly tittmorsome, and was very ably
gives. It greatly pleased the company, and was
vigorously encored. The first part was concluded with
the fine old glee "Hers in cool pot," and it
weld not have been performed much better.
After a brief interval a duo drarnatique by Mr.
Sidney Smith, from "Faust," was played by Mrs.
pave', Mime Lock and Mr. Bolton Smith on piano and
harmonium. It went capitally throughout, and was a
decided triumph for the instrumentalists. "Th. belfry
tower," be the glee °lasi followed, and, having now
acquired full confidence, they sang thia excellent
put.song without • fettle. The fear verses afford
ample slope for expression, and the singers dis-
played good training and artistic appreciation of the
points in the muses.. Encouraging plaudits fol-
lowed. The chief success of the evening wee
won by Ailam and Newberry in a duet "The
happy hunter.". The music is good, and the lads'
voices had a brightness and elasticity that was quite
chaerailig. It is very seldom, indeed, that we have
heard such • sweet equality of tone as they dierelarrizia ed„
while there was • Lusa &bola ilso/r singing boa
sulfa tailioo. They had an sathasiastis Mrs.