Concerts on campus last term provided for all tastes. New Zealand composers were well represented in Lunchtime Concerts, this year being held mainly in the Memorial Theatre. Early in the term we heard works by Douglas Lilburn and Ross Harris and two composition students, and later came the World Premiere of a work by New Zealand composer, Gillian Whitehead. Performed by visiting English soprano, Jane Manning, Whitehead's "Riddles" to words by Bill Manhire, was one of the highlights of the year so far.

At a concert given in the last week of term, the choir condicted by Ross Harris and Elizabeth Kerr, performed two major works, "Missa Brevis" by Dietrich Buxtehuc Buxtehude and "Cantiones Sacrae" no. 8, by Heinrich Schutz, and a short piece by student Stefan Tyler-Wright—all new to choir members this year. Obviously a lot of hard work has already been done. This term choir members are involved in VUW Music Society's major production for 1978—a two act comic opera by Gluck. More about the opera next week.

Another high point was the 50th Birthday Tribute to Professor David Farquhar. Four of Farquhar's works were performed and the composer himself accompanied soprano Emily Mair in his "Six songs of Women". Margaret Nielsen and Ruth Pearl played the most 'avant garde' work, "Three Pieces for violin and piano" (1967) and the concert ended with a rousing performance by Farquhar and Nielsen of Schubert's "March in G".

Another visiting artist was Japanese composer, Joji Yuasa, and from closer to home the Baroque Ensemble, mezzo soprano Patricia Lawrey, Gillian Bibby and baritone Roger Wilson gave fine performances. The term ended with music and dance of the Cook Islands, performed by students of Brandon Intermediate School in Porirua;

Don't miss Thursday Lunchtime Concerts this term.

Music Society

The forty people who braved wind and rain on April 19th were rewarded by a splendid evening of music sponsored by VUW Music Society. Most works presented were from the standard classical repertoire—Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart—but two twentieth-century works were "Sonata for solo viola" by NZ composer Anthony Watson, played by Graeme Hennings, an Alban Berg's "Four pieces for clarinet and piano". Robyn Stapleton (clarinet) and Rose Quinn (piano) showed commendable assurance in the Berg, and this concert demonstrated clearly that the enthusiasm of students can compensate to a large extent for the technical expertise of professionals. Guest artist Deidre Irons (piano) brought the concert to a dazzling finish with her performance of Chopin's highly romantic "Barcarolle" in F sharp. Earlier in the term a MusSoc concert featured a performance of Stockhausen's "Ausden Sieben Tagen".

New Look Choir

Noticed the change in the University Choir? It's obvious even without listening. Now double the original size, the choir is perhaps not twice as good, but give it time. The reason for the change is simple. It is now compulsory for all music students to belong, with the advantage that more ambitious works can be attempted. Size must have added to the choir's esteem also, as this year they sang at the Capping Ceremony. No prizes for guessing what they sang.

Julia Mullen