In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, on 18 and 19 March 1901, pupils and teachers of St. Mary’s infants and senior schools held their annual concert to raise money for school funds. Parish priest Canon James Gordon (left) presided, the third of the Gordon brothers to hold that position at St. Mary’s.
The concert was a mix of songs, solos, and short sketches. The infants sang their several action songs in a creditable style, before the senior children and teachers took to the stage. Miss L. Mullins sang “Come Back to Erin”, Miss Donnelly “Farewell to the Fatherland” whilst Miss Brennan performed “The Shamrock,” assisted by a large choir for the chorus. One of the sisters played the accompanying piano music.
The sketch “Crazy Jane” was performed by Miss Brennan in the lead role, Miss Ginane as Miss Overall, Miss Fitzpatrick (Maggie), Miss Power (Amelia), Miss Matthews, (Pollie), Miss Donnelly (Bessie), Miss Scanlon (Maggie’s mother), and Miss M. A. Lynch (Susan).
A charade entitled “Little Pickle” was performed by Joseph Mullins, James Cox, Richard Kelley, Thomas Scanlon, Robert Mullins, John Hudson, James Munns and Willie Berry. The latter possessed a particularly fine singing voice. He went on to be a Leeds St. Anne’s Cathedral chorister, and in 1905 the winner of the choir boy category in the prestigious annual Mrs. Sunderland musical competition held in Huddersfield. More about his life can be found here.
The Kazoo band appeared to much amusement.
There were large audiences, especially on the first night, with the event being declared an overwhelming success.
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