Percy Newton taught Jack Harrison and Don Westlake.
Walter Percival Newton
1897 – Died 26.1.1947 aged 50
Percy Newton arrived with his brother Harold and family from England in 1927. The Newton brothers were very involved in consolidating the new Perth Symphony Orchestra in the late 1920s.
Nicholson’s Limited was a music store situated in the heart of Perth and many of the players used to meet in its music hall to discuss a possible solution to their problems of finding work. Among this group were the Newton Brothers, Percy and Harold, who had immigrated from the United Kingdom in 1927. They played for the most part with the Prince of Wales Theatre Orchestra then, following its demise, moved to the Capitol Theatre Orchestra. Percy Newton was a fine clarinet player whose services had been sought by prestigious orchestral conductors in England and who later became a leader teacher of this instrument giving a good grounding to later clarinet stars like Donald Westlake and Jack Harrison. [1]
Percy was an appointed member of the professional Perth Symphony Orchestra formed in 1936 playing clarinet and was appointed deputy conductor in 1937. He remained Principal Clarinet until 1946.
Joy Boys.
A Talented Company
The Joy Boys gave a bright and varied entertainment in the Town Hal Dalwallinu on Wednesday night. The programme included singing, step-dancing, and musical items. Mr Sydney Clarke, on the violin, was much appreciated. Mr Clark rendered an imitation of the bagpipes on the violin, which was very good indeed, as were his old-time melodies and step dancing. Mr Cass Mahomet’s singing was greatly enjoyed. Mr Irwin Lawrances’s cornet solo and Mr Percy Newton’s saxophone number brought forth great applause. Mr Les Dixon delighted his hearers by his playing the piano, and Mr Townley was splendid on the sousaphone and trombone. The company was worthy of a larger audience. [2]
Saturday, January 9th 1932
6WF, PERTH.
8.0: The first revue of 1932 by the Radioptomists, produced by Harry Graham. Artists: Dorothy Manning, Billy Edwards, David Lyle, Harold Newton, Malcolm Dick, Paul Daly, Eileen Hart, Lulu Potter, Edna Waterman and Percy Newton; accompanist, Phyllis Blott.
The 6WF Revue Orchestra and the A.B.C. Mixed Quartet will assist. [3]
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Last Sunday’s Concert
Before a moderately large audience, the Perth Symphony Orchestra offered another first class concert at His Majesty’s Theatre last Sunday evening. The music was of a lighter type than usual and, though it may not have suited sonic of the high-brow critics, appealed to the major section of the crowd.
Two dance numbers, Ponchielli’s popular ‘Dance of the Hours’ and Puccini’s ‘Witches’ Dance’ from ‘Le Villi,’ were both well rendered, except that the cold weather mitigated against the tone of the strings and affected the wood wind, where one or two weak links sometimes TEND TO SPOIL the excellent playing of the principal clarinet (Mr. Percy Newton). A suite of ballet music, ‘Hiawatha,’ by Coleridge-Taylor was a delight, and selections from ‘Rigoletto’ — one of Verdi’s best -known operas — proved popular with the audience. Mr. George Mellor (cornet) was, as usual, responsible for some fine solo work in the ‘Paraphrase’ which preceded the famous quartette that closed the number, and incidentally Mr. Reid had to respond with an encore to this item. Two overtures, ‘The Barber of Seville’ (Rossini) and ‘Zampa’ (Herold) completed the orchestral section of the programme. Signor Ugo Mina (tenor) offered pleasing selections from Italian operas. [4]
‘JOHN O’LONDON’S’ CIRCLE
An Evening of Music
The concluding session of the year of the ‘John O’ London’s’ Literary Circle was held last night at Lyric House, Murray street. A programme of music was
contributed to by Perth musicians. A quintet conducted by Mr. Harold Newton, and consisting of Messrs. Ron Brearley (cello), Fred Murphy (clarionet), Percy Newton (clarionet), Norbert Coulehan (oboe), and Mrs. Wilson (pianoforte) provided several of the items. Solos were given by Mr. Brearley and Mrs. Wilson, and songs by Mr. Austin Coulehan and Miss June Fiore. In addition, a musical monologue and elocutionary items were contributed by Miss May Downes and Miss Mary Ward. The musical part of the entertainment was organised by Mr. Norbert Coulehan.
The circle will resume its meetings in March. [5]
SUNDAY BROADCASTS
New 6IX Feature.
NEXT Sunday evening at 6.15 o’clock the first of a new series of broadcast will take place from the Ambassadors Theatre over station 6IX. Ron Brearley and his Merrymakers and a novelty orchestra will present a session of popular and classical vocal and instrumental numbers, which is being sponsored by General Theatres Corporation, Ltd., as a regular weekly feature.
Among the artists who are to be heard are Harold Newton, Rita Hawse, Will Talbot Anthony Northe, Teddy Phillips, Percy Newton, and a feature of the first programme will be the novel way of introducing the items. Among the items to be played on the first night will be the ever-popular “Mikado” selection, rendered by the Merrymakers Orchestra. Rita Hawse will be heard in three numbers, “Bird Songs at Eventide,” “Ballad Memories” and “Everything I Have Is Yours,” accompanied by the orchestra and organ. Will Talbot, monologuist, will present “Sitting on a Log” and there will be an unusual organ and piano duet by Messrs. Northe and Phillips. [6]
State Symphony Orchestra.
The West Australian State Symphony Orchestra will give another concert at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Perth, on Sunday night. An Algerian march by Mr.
de Laeter (a member of the orchestra) will be the opening number and will be followed by “Capriccio Espagnol” (Rimsky-Korsakov), “Komarinskaja” (Glinka) and a repetition by request of Rimsky Korskov’s “The Flight of the Bumble Bee,” played at the last concert. Assisting artists include Paul Daly, May Webster and her eight mascots, Percy Newton and Ruth Cranfield. [7]
FAMOUS CONDUCTOR
Coaxes Great Music From Perth Orchestra
Thursday night was a momentous one in Perth musical circles, when the fruits of Professor Schneevoigt’s (the eminent Finnish conductor) work with the Perth Symphony Orchestra of 65 players were revealed to the public at His Majesty’s Theatre. A Tchaikowsky Symphony occupied the whole of the first half, and right
from the first bar of the supremely delicate, wistful pianissimo opening it was apparent that a genius was wielding the baton. Indeed, never before had local music-lovers been regaled with such appetising fare, and while the four movements were being played, one might have heard the proverbial pin drop during the soft passages or the brief pause between each section. Even at the conclusion of the Symphony there was an impressive silence before a STORM OF APPLAUSE which lasted for several minutes, swept through the theatre. Professor Schneevoigt was recalled several times and eventually he also joined in the applause as a gesture to the magnificent work of the orchestra. Indeed, unstinted praise must be given the musicians, especially to the leader of the clarionets, Mr. Percy Newton, on whose capable shoulders rested the initial responsibility for introducing the symphonic theme. Later in the evening the conductor shook hands with Mr. W. Glassford, whose interpretation of a pleading melody in one of the other numbers was to his liking. A delicate suite for strings, Sibelius’ ‘Rakastava.’ was the first item of the second half. This, as was the case with rest of the offerings, suffered a few blemishes by minor false entries and, at times, a decided uncertainty on the part of some of the key players, but were overshadowed by the grand concerted climax that were obtained throughout the evening. Of special merit was the performance, with lovely orchestral accompaniment, of Perth’s gifted soprano, Miss Lorna Sydney Smith, whose DELIGHTFUL RENDERINGS of Wagner’s ‘Schmergen’ and ‘Traume’ were well received. [8]
DUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY
WEST PERTH FUNCTION
With a flesh-and-blood orchestra playing the opening overture, scenes from ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ musical travesties and acting ad lib, quite a gay party took place at the home of Mrs. Craze, Havelock-street, West Perth, on Tuesday night. The occasion was the anniversary of the birthdays of Misses Roma
Craze and Edna Waterman, and was marked by the attendance of many musicians and their friends. Some of the culminating scenes were real rollicking gems, when instead of cellos and double basses, Alf Shute sang a declamatory ditty and danced a fandango amid the wreckage of a travelling gipsy’s caboose. Harold Newton as guest conductor and brother Percy as temperamental pianist saw these maestros in lighter vein and provided much entertainment to their friends, who developed sore throats cheering them on or shrieking at their carefree antics. In addition to Mrs. Craze and her three daughters, those present were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Chaloner, Mr. and Mrs. Alf Shute, Mrs. Jones (Tasmania), Mrs. Waterman, Mrs. R. Rees, Miss Frankie Woodhouse, Miss Nina Gobi, T. Bennett and Cyril Huntley. During the partaking of supper Mr. Harold Newton, supported by many other speakers, proposed the toast of the celebrants, referring eulogistically to Miss Roma Craze, who is leaving for England shortly to continue her studies as a linguist and other professional attainments. [9]
HER REWARD FOR PLUCKY RESCUE
THIS IS THE SIDE OF LAST WEEK’S HEROIC RESCUE STORY THAT WASN’T TOLD
When little 14-year-old Nylsalie Newton, daughter of well-known
clarinettist and A.B.C. deputy conductor Percy Newton, dragged two drowning women to safety in the Claremont Baths, she subsequently received unstinted admiration of praise from her schoolmates and the many others who heard about her noble deed. Scores of people stood watching the two women drown, were even laughing at their antics, not dreaming they were in difficulties. Nylsalie Newton did. Her young brain did a piece of quick thinking and she jumped into split-second action of which any veteran would have been proud. So much everyone knows, although at the time she unobtrusively slipped away from the Baths soon as she had informed the attendant of the two ladies’ plight. But what the public doesn’t know is how the brave youngster was rewarded for her plucky effort. She put down her bathing cap while she changed into her street clothes and returned to find it missing. It had been stolen. [10]
MINIATURE RECITAL
Mozart Trio and Songs
A Mozart trio in E flat major for piano, viola and clarinet was played by Phyllis Blott, William Glassford and Percy Newton at the thirteenth of this seasons series of miniature recitals at the Karrakatta Club Hall yesterday afternoon. It was a pleasing experience, having for a Perth audience not only the attraction of a masterly composition well presented but also the element of novelty for the work has had but few public performances in this city. [11]
EVERYMAN’S MUSIC
Recital Tonight
An unusually varied programme is offered by the Adult Education Board in the third of the current Everyman’s Music series to be given in Winthrop Hall this evening at 815 o’clock. Chamber music will include the Divertimento in B Flat for two clarinets and bassoon (Mozart) with Percy Newton, Robert Trew and Jock Good and the Mozart Trio in E Flat for piano, clarinet and viola with Edward Black, Percy Newton and William Glassford. [12]
Jack Harrison and Don Westlake studied clarinet under Percy Newton.
[1] Harrison, Marcia WEST AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Celebrating 75 Years 2003
[2] North-Eastern Courier (Perth, WA), Saturday 6 September 1930, page 3
[3] Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 – 1954), Thursday 24 December 1931, page 3
[4] Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 22 July 1933, page 12
[5] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Friday 15 December 1933, page 12
[6] Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 – 1954), Thursday 23 August 1934, page 39
[7] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Friday 24 August 1934, page 8
[8] Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 12 June 1937, page 17
[9] Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 10 September 1938, page 23
[10] Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 22 April 1939, page 10
[11] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Friday 5 November 1943, page 3
[12] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Thursday 25 April 1946, page 6