Sunny side up... and sometimes serious! by Rhonda Bunyan | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

An article from Stratford Press, September 9, 1981 titled 'Music All The Way'. It takes a walk down memory lane with Evelyn Howes, LTCL, FTCL, ALCM. In a career packed with musical experiences, Mrs Howes looked back on an endless progression of local productions, school shows, recitals, operettas, accompanying and teaching - music all the way. It is Saturday night, the year is 1921, and the local picture theatre is packed with patrons. Every seat is taken, and in the pit the orchestra is tuning up in preparation for the great silent film, 'The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse'.

At the piano is one of the town's best-known young pianists, Miss Evelyn Moon, who still in her teens, is an LTCL. The Saturday night engagement is just a part of her regular job playing at the pictures.

On Sunday evenings Evelyn played the organ at the Methodist Church, but the position didn't last. In line with the narrow principles of the times, it was not considered seemly for the young lady who made music in that den of iniquity, a picture theatre, to play the church organ.

'I was asked to choose between God and the devil,' Mrs Howes recalled in her interview with the Press. 'I chose the devil then because he was paying me three pounds a week - a princely sum in those days.'

Evelyn Howes devoted most of her life to music. Before the era of sound films, and later television, the popularity of locally produced musicals as well as visiting performers was in its heyday.

The period before the Second World War was a golden age for local talent and Evelyn Moon was in the thick of it. She also developed a wide reputation as a teacher who would stand no nonsense, and got results! Hundreds of children and adults learned to play the piano under the tutelage of Evelyn, and many of her pupils made music a career.

For some time she was head of the music department at Stratford High. Evelyn also taught singing. One of her pupils won a national aria competition which enabled her to study in Australia. During the Depression Evelyn produced a number of variety shows. There was a new one every fortnight and proceeds went to assist the unemployed.

Then there was the ladies' choir of 40 voices. Always popular, its performances contributed to many charities. In earlier years, the young Evelyn was offered engagements overseas. 'But my mother said 'no'. I think she was guarding my reputation.' But she did have the opportunity to travel in New Zealand with the Marottas. Signor and Signora Marotta toured operatic programmes through the provinces in the late '20s. A review on the visit of Miss Amy Castles, Prima Donna; 'What a ripping entertainment the Castles programme was on Saturday night. All the lovers of good music went and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, despite the silly giggles in the corner. The pianist alone was worth the money.....' The Prima Donna sent Evelyn a special message of appreciation.

Evelyn came to Stratford when she was 10. Her father opened a bookshop and fancy goods business on Broadway. Her colourful personality and unselfish sharing of her talents earned her a memorable place in the hearts of many throughout the district.

• * *

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson go on a camping trip. After a good dinner and a bottle of wine, they retire for the night, and go to sleep.Some hours later, Holmes wakes up and nudges his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

"I see millions and millions of stars, Holmes," replies Watson.

"And what do you deduce from that?"

Watson ponders for a minute. "Well, astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful, and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe. What does it tell you, Holmes?"

Holmes is silent for a moment. "Watson, you idiot!" he says. "Someone has stolen our tent!"

• * *

Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo. - H. G. Wells (1866-1946)

Have a great week!