THE COMPETITIONS

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14645, 21 April 1913, Page 2

THE COMPETITIONS

*- THE CHILDREN'S CHANCE. A JUDGE AND CRITICS. The children held command of the competitions .ill day on Saturday at both the Alexandra Hall and the King's Theatre. With two or three exceptions it was a. children's < programme that a large audience listened to in the King's Theatre in tho evening. There were eleven sections to be judged, and five of these were elocutionary items, drawing up to twentyseven entries a piece. The half dozen musical items were also well I patronised, the heaviest entry being j twenty-eight. Tho day's proceedings narrowed the competitors down to two or three in each class, and the variety and excellence of tho recalls i heard in tho evening went to make up j an enjoyable programme, which was fittingly capped by an entertaining performance by Miss Bartley and Mill. C. Borradale in the humorous character dialogue competition. Tho judge of tho elocution section, Mr J. G. McNicholl, mado some interesting observations towards tho close of the evening session. At the outset Mr McNicholl expressed his pleasure at ' the interest takon in the elocution section, and he was pleased to see such a large attendance that evening. At the end of each session Mr McNicholl said he would be very pleased to meet teachers, performers and othors and discuss the work with them so -chat an interchange of ideas could be fostered. For by interchange of ideas he held that progress would be made in the work. The competitions in Christchurch were really ex-, cellently managed, and tho schiJule compared favourably with that.ol any other similar festival in Australasia. Hβ was also, pleased with tho interest shown in tho competitions at this early stage. Mr McNicholl complimented the Press on their criticisms of tho work, and ho said he was glad to see that the critics held opinions »f their own, and were not afraid to declare them. Tho amount of space which the local daily newspapers devoted to the competitions was very ! satisfactory, and generally the Press : paid more* attention to the competitions here than in Melbourne, for mi stance. Mr McNicholl wont on to say 1 that he had been criticised by the > Press in connection with some .of tho I work for which he was responsible and t one critic m dealing with the Shakesi poarean w< <-k, h:id expressed the opm--1 ion that Mr McNicholl was judging the Shakespearean work from a new ' standard. This was not so. In all such artistic work the atmosphere had to be created; he did not want "staginess" arc! he did not want melodrama i Some of the performers required to put ! more fire and emotion into their work I and be careful to preserve artistry at i the same time. In giving a decision 1 in one of the classes a few minutes I latet Sir McNicholl said that whfltover opinions were expressed by the Press or by other people did rot influence ; Hm- ho had his own opinion and hu ! own'standard. He did not care who the pcrfortnoTK wr>ro or wHat they were: he iudgfd them for their wont nrnl by their work and he trv»d to be fni" nnd .i«st to j> U the competitors. Following Jire tho results of baturdnv's competitions.— PIANO SOLO, 13 and under IC, Gavotte -Mignon." • There was very keen competition hero, the 1 performers numbering twenty-«ix. The recalls were:-Master Howard iWy (Christchurch), Mise Dorothy xnlbot jPapanui, and Visa Daphne Archenhold JChnstchurch). The jud"o had the commendable strength of mind to cvi a couple of competitors short after their openings. For the recall Master Moody gave an intelligible reading, and played the piece with fooling and care. Mias Talbot's work was not quito as good, but she treated the piece with more conception, while Miss showed more faults. The placing by the judge was: — Master Moody, 82 marks •• 1 Miss Talbot, 80 marks .. -._ 2 The judge said that in this comp<?tit:on none of the children, with the exception of one or two, bad any conception of the piece. He wonld place Master Moody two points ahead of Miss Ta'.bot, and Miss Archenhold was selected for honorary mention. CHAMPION RECITATION, girls nnder 16, "Hiawatha's Sailing," Longfellow. Ten girls appeared in this * ection and Save interesting renditions. The recalls were Miss Ethel Bonnington (Christchurch), Miss Muriel Brewine (Chrietchurch), and Miss Era. Roberteon (Palmerston North). Miss Phyllis Adams (Wellineton) received "honourable mention." Mr McNicholl said he hoped from Monday to enter more into detail with the competitors and assist them as far as poseible Some competitors failed because the jud»e had - a different standard to thai *.o which they had been accuetoraed. A conversation would often clear up points. TLoy could hare no artistic excellence without individuality. PIANO SOLO, reading at eight, nnder 18. Judge's selection. There were four competitors in this section. Herr Carl Saver placed Miss Dorothy Talbot (Papanui) firet with 70 marks, and recommended Miss Dorothy it. Lye (Linwood) lor » second prize with CO marke. The otter competitors were Miss Dorothy White (Lincoln) and Miss Hazel Tronson (Christchurch). Herr Saner eaid that the piece selected —"Chan3on Trieste,' , by Techaikowsky —was one eminently suited for the purpose, as tbt theme was repeated and gave the competitors a chance to improve. He would Tecomrnond competitors in this section to etudy ecalce in similar and contrary movements. This was the very best ot practice. RECITATION, boys 12 and under 16, "Destruction of Sennacherib." Master L. Cummins was given first prize out of two competitors. iho judge eaid he was technically good with tn easy though somewhat mournful style. Maeter Rewi Alley waa the other competitor. ■ RECITATION, girls, 12 and under 16, "Keepsake Mill." Nine girls competed, and the following were recalled: —Miss Ethel Mise M. Brewins, and Mise K. E. Brewine, all of Christchurch. . VIOLLN SOLO, under 13. Own selection.

Fire aspirants appeared, and performed more or less creditably. The judge's decision was: — Master Esmond Harper, 77 mexks 1 Miss Kitty Murphy, 70 marks .. 2 ~isa M. "Kennedy, 69 marks .. 3 Herr Suucr eaid there was not sufficient free bowing; there wae too much arm bowing, and the vibrato was not s'aidifd to make every tone epeak. Hcrr Eeuer gave a slight practical indication of what he meant, which was greatly appreciated. Miss Gladye Vincont was very young but did well, and Christchurch would hear more of her in the future. Sho would be worth watching. Maeler Harper had a clean tone and a clear conception. Hβ had fome temperament. II s» Mi'iicent Kennedy was overmastered by the d fficulties of her selection. She showed talent Miss Murphy required more practice, as did all the performers. HUMOROUS RECITATION. boys or girls, 11 and under 16. Own selection. Ten good performers apneared in this. The recalls were:—Miss Phyiis Arlanis (Wellington), "Courting and Hatching"; Miss E. M. Kobertson (Pa'.merston North), and M.ss iltriel Brewioa (Christchurch), "Prompt Obedience. The recalls were all good. Mifs Brewins displayed some defect?, but was impressive, and her diction was <joc<l. Miss Adams was a.so good, but Miss Robortson did net perform so well as tn the afternoon. The judge's award was: — Miss Browing, 154 marks.. .. 1 Miss Adams, 148 marks .. .2 Mifs Robertson, Hi marks .. 3 ACTION SOxVO. Children under 12 yeare. Own "Sc'ection. Sorao very good and promuinj talent appeared in this action in the earlier etaees. The. !ecall 3 were Miss Gladys Cross, Lower R.ccarton "iLseion of « Rose,- IT.fe Catherine Suckling, Tai Tapu, "Baby'e Stocking, Miss Miilicent Kennedy, Lyttelton, Japlooe Baby." ' Miss Cross gave a clever performance in the recal. end in commenting on it the judgo Mid that there was much promise in the performer and she was "worth watching. ,, Miss Suckling's work was chopny, but Mies Aenncdy s performance excelled" that of the others. The award was: Miss Kennedy, 83 marks. 1 Miss Cross. 78 ninrka .' *" 2 Miss Suckling, 73 marks .; "3 SONG, for boys under 16. "Heather Hoses" (Schubert). There were nmo competitors here and none attained to-any particular standard. The. recaps wero Leonard dimming* (Sydenham) and Howard Moody (Ch: istchurch) In the recalls Master Cummins placed 0. wide gulf between his performance and that of Ma-ter Moody Master Moody .«hould confine himself to the piano, observed the judge, who placed the competitors aa follows—Master Cummins, 81 mnrks .. i Ma-ter Moody, 67 marks " 2 PIANO SOLO, under 10. "Rainy"bay." i-lcven cornpotod. The decision was- — Miss Norma M.dde ton (Ckrietchurch), 87 marks .. ..1 ttias Agnes Young (Chrietchurch)', 77 marks .. ~ ..2 Miss Nettie Purdie (Kaiapoi), 75 marks .. .. _. 3 Horr Spuer said that the piece was well selected for this class. He again kind'y gavo valuable practical hints to competitors and teaehe:s upon points of interpretation. The winner had a concept;on of her own and ohowed temperament. RECITATION. Girls under nine. "Seven Tim 03 One." This was a heavy class, but the standard was fairly pood., The rceaUa were Mies E'.izabeth Linton vChristchurch), Miss Edna Daly (St. Aibans), and Mis 3 Mnvis Ritchie (Meriva'e). The following received "honouriible mention":—Miss uersy Ho'lander (Christchurch), M : «e Uolcie Phi'pott (Lower Riccarton), Miss Alva L. Oadle (Meriva'e). Mr McNicoll, in giving his recalls, expressed his high opinion of . the selected poem. Ho deprecated monotony of do'ivery and enoouragc<l individuality in conception. In tho recalls Miss Kitchio added charm to her performance by introducing some excellent touches of child life. It was leidiatic, and tho juJge noted tho fact, and praised the performer. Miss Da!y was good, but M6s Linton was guilty of too much emphasis, and tho judge, pointed out tlrat die spoke too much to tho side. Tho placing wts : — Miss Kitchio, 159 mark* .. 1 Miss Daly, JCS marks .. .. 2 Mifs Linton, 146 marke .. ..3 PIANO DUET. Amateurs, nny age, Norwegian Dances, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, from Grieg. There wero only two pairs in this event. Misses Jean Burrowes and Edna Jtmghnin (St. Albans) played with clear, delicato charm, and gave a p.'ea-sing interpretation of tho dances. Tho work of Mis?es J. J. Wright (CrifJi'-wocd) and M. Snboua O'Dorvd (Fairiie) did not qu.te come up to tho delicacy and artistry of thu other competitors. The nwnrd was: — Misses Burrowes end Joughmn, 21)6 marks .. .. .. X Misses W::ght end O'Dowd, 22G marks .. .. ..2 RECITATION, Gentlemen. "Tho-. Aidar'a Master," by A. D. Rawnsloy. , t > This competition was commence! on Friday afternoon, and tr»m five competiton Mr Roy M. Cummine (ChrißtchuTch), anc Mr H. McD. Vincent (Christchurch)"" were recalled. Both porforme:s roached a moderately high standard in thoir work, but Mr Vincent lent a mere melodramatic tone to hie lines, and infused more variety and fire into his work thiin Mr Cummins. 'xne judge, while remarking that Ixr Vincent's wo:k was just a little ahead of that of tfie other competitor, said that Mr Cummins would mako k first-class performer. The award wee.— Mr Vincent, 158 marks .. ..1 Mr Cummins, 152 marks .. 3 'CELLO SOLO. Amateurs. Own ejection. There were three competitors. Mr D. E. Thomae (Christchurch) played "Priere," Miss Rona Isherwood (Christcliurcli) "Romance Suns," and Miss Vera Mitchell (Spreydon) "Phantom Melody." After Misa Mitrho'l had played the perforinuncea of the other two fr.dcd beyond leach of competition. There was nothing particularly etriking about the work of cither Mr Thomas or Mips Iflierwood, but Miss Mitchell, with sympathetic fee.ing and faithful reading, drew from her instrument the beauties of the piece, and played over tho head of the aniateuT. The-α-ward was. — Miss Mitchell, 89 marks .. .. 1 Mr Thomae, 79 marks .. ..2 Miss Ishorwood, 77 marks .. 3 Herr Saner was justly enthusiastic over Miss Mitchell's playing. It exceeded that of any amateur he had previously heard. Thorc was a future before the young lady, and he expressed the hope that she would continue her studies on the Continent, and HenSaner said he would assist to bring her in touch with the leading masters in his Homeland—Germany—who, he declared, wou'd receive her with "open arms." Miss Mitchell put her soul in her playing, which, howevrr, was not free from technical mistakes. Mr Thomas gave an intel!i° i ent reading , , and Herr Saver described Mies Isherwcod as "more the orchestra type of player than soloist." HUMOROUS CHARACTER DIALOGUE, amateurs or professional*. Own selection. Each evening an item in this clase has been taken, and on Saturday the last of three performances was {riven. It was a character dialogue between "Dick Swiveller and The March ionce," played by Jfits B«rtley (Auckland) and Mr Borradale (Christchurch). Both performers were excellent. Tho in»ke-ups were very good, the facial expressions and "busine»s" equally meritorious.. The selection offered plenty of scope for character work, and both Miss Bartlcy and Mr Borradale fully grasped their opportunities in this respect. The judge's comment was that Mips Bartley sustained her character work very well indeed, and she paid attention to dotails, while tho conceited work was very effective. The other two it<?rh« wero:—Mrs A. J. Dreavcr aud Mr A. B. Gladding (Auckland), "Sir Peter and Lady Teazle," nnd Mrs Arthur Allan and Mr Frank McDonald (Christchurch), the same. The judge's placing wns: — Miss Bartley and Mr Borrada'.e, 247 marks 1 Mrs Allan and Mr McDormd, 225 marks.. 2 Mrs Dreavcr and Mr Gladding, 210 marks 3 Attention has been drawn to the fact that o<l Thursday evening Ei>nr Carl Savor is reported to have said "diaphragmatic breathing was a common fault." This is a rejrrettab'e mistake. Herr Saver, of course, recommends diaphragmatic breathing, and condemns the clavicular method against which he was making his comrrent.