Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 12, 1919

Kilnhurst Orchestral Society
Annual Concert.

The concert given by the Kilnhurst and District Orchestral Society, last Saturday, reached a higher level of excellence than any that the writer has attended.

The local orchestra was augmented by members of other orchestras in the district, and over 30 performers gave a programme of great merit, under the baton of Mr. W. Williams. The two orchestral items that stood out, both from the points of view of composition and performance, were Beethoven’s No. I. Symphony (adagro and allegro), and German’s “Nell Gwyn” dances, but what appeared to please the audience most, was the last item of the programme.

This was an American fantasia, introducing various airs, some of which were sung with great gusto by the members of the orchestra to the delight of the listeners, who demanded a repeat. The other orchestral pieces were overture “Peter Schmoll (Weber), a selection from “Iolanthe,” and Gounad’s Funeral March of a Marionette.

A feature of the evening was the excellent playing of a young member of the orchestra-Miss Burford. She has wonderful execution, and when she has developed tone she will become an accomplished artiste.

Miss Mirford played Handel’s’ Sonata in A major, and Moto Perpetuo of Carl Bohm, both of , which were so much appreciated that she had to play two encores.

The singers were Miss Pansy Moore and Mr. Geo. Oxley. Miss Moore sang “The Splendour of the Morn” and “Mate of Mine,” She achieved her greatest success, however, in J. W. Dickie’s two songs, “My Secret,” and. “Flowerland,” and in response to the applause gave a charming encore “I passed by your window.”

Mr. Oxley gave great pleasure in the singing of the song, ‘Splendour of the Stars,” and gave as an encore “Youth’ by Allitson. He also sang “Floral Dance’. (Moss). Both vocalists joined in the duet “The ‘ Psalm of Life.”

The small member of musical enthusiasts who have piloted the society through troublesome times, from a very small beginning must feel rewarded that such a performance is possible.