THE COMPETITIONS

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18682, 4 May 1926, Page 12

THE COMPETITIONS

YESTERDAY'S TESTS. SOME GOOD CLASSES. Some very fine work was lio.'snl nt the (.'lirislchureh Couipofitions yesterd;iv, and the classes were all to bs commi'mlcd. It is a regrettable fact that there are very small entries in a number of the classes, ami that the .•idult. competitors do not compete in so ijreat numbers as the younger people. At the evening session, the Caledonian ]fnll was well filled, and the audience did. nut stint its praise of the numbers given. The judges fire Air 71. Barry Coney (vocal and instrumental), and Mr (.'ulI'ord .Bell (elocution). The results were: RECITATION. Boys ]4 ami under 10. "Trawlers." Master Richard 'Woodward (Walihnni) 7G points . . . . . . 1 Master Ronald Foster (Woo'.ston), 7-1 points . . . . . . 2 Master Noel Newson (St. Albans), 7. points . . _ . . 3

There were no other entrants. The winner prnvc an alert and illuminatine; rendering of the piece, and worked up to a good climax of triumph in the con-hid-ing lines. Ronald Poster's work was good, but lie missed some of the rhythm of the lines, nnd the third boy did not stress the climax sufficiently. SOXfr. Xew Zealand Composer. Ladies. Miss Muriel Johns (Christchurch), 108 points . . . . . . 1 Miss Rita Lucas fSt. Albans), IG2 points I! Miss Myrlle Lan-ley (Xew Brighton), .ir>!> points . . . . . . 3 Also competed—Miss lilllien Reny (Marshland), Miss Irene Agassi?. (Linwood), Miss Ailsa Nicol (Wellington), Miss Dorothy Shaud .St. Albans), M.iss L. Talbot (Npreydiiii), Miss l:;ila .Skurr (Riccarton). . Miss Joan liowry (Otnki). Miss Nita Hopkins (Kaikoura), Miss Thlnn King (Christchurch), Miss Constance Adkins (Richmoiid). Mrs Grace W'athew (Sumner), Miss Thidma Buxton (New Brighton), Miss Anita Graham (Christchurch), Mrs K. H. Davies (St. Albans). The judge said that thero was very good singing in this class, hut some, had chosen the same song, and this made matters a little difficult. Composition had not travelled very far as yet, and this precluded compelilors from making a different choico in each case. VIOLIN SOLO. 12 and under 10. Own Selection. Miss Freda Moir (Lyttolton), "Saltarelle," 175 -points .. .. 1 Miss Thclma Cusack (Bunvood), "CavaUna," IfiG points .. ..2 Miss Constance Bradley (Christchurch), "Danso Hongroise," l. r >o points .. _3 Also competed—Master Leo Mcllennnmin (Christchurch). "This was a wonderfully good section, taking everything into account," said Mr Barry Concv. The- competitors tvere very young, and "finished technique could not be expected.

SONG FOR GIRLS. Under 12. Owii selection. Miss Kathleen Read (Merivale), "Three Green Bonnets," 184.points . . 1 Miss Boris Donnelly (Christchurch), "Stay With Mo, Summer," 163 points • • • • .■ • " Miss Joan Thomson (St. Albans), UpToe," 152 points . . •• 3 Miss Mollie Cuihmings (Christchurch) he. Also competed—Miss Edna Henderson (St. Martins), Miss Agnes Brackenndgo (HHlmorten), Miss Dorothy Chrocett (Avonsido), Miss Ngaire Whltmore (St. Albans),. Miss Norene Johnstone (Uangiova), Miss Dorecn Evans (Spreydon). Miss Grade Nixon (Ricearton). Miss Miretta Shier (Addington), Miss Gladys Rose (Christchurch), Miss Mollie Fowler (Christchurch), -Miss Eunice Penlmllnrinck (Richmond). . Theso small children sang charmingly, and the judge observed that the smaller ories sang hotter to the pitch than did the older competitors. RECITATION IN CHARACTER. Boy or

Girl tinder 9. Humorous. Master Olive McNeill (Bromley), "Thd New Specialist," 78 points .. 1 Master James Humphreys (Linwood), "Tho Dentist," 65 points .. - Miss Kathleen Read (Merivale), Karltane," 64 points • • „, . ;\,? Also competed—Miss Miretta Shier (Addington), Miss A r nlerio Cater (St. Albans), Master Gordon Windsor (Spreydbn), The winner of this class, said the judge, gave a good comic sketch, and acted it rather cleverly. James Humphreys was rather indistinct, and did not produco enough humour from his theme. "Karltnne" was cleverly acted, but the sketch was not strong enough in comedy for this class. CHIEF PIANO SOLO. Lady or Gentleman. "Prelude in D" (Swinstead). Miss Lucy Eullwobd (Rlccarton), 191 points .. • • . • • J Miss Eunice Tait (Opawa), 181 points .. £ There were only two entrants in this class, but it was a difficult piece, and,' for the greater part, a left-hand study. The iudge Very highly praised tho playinfe df both competitors, and said that, the technique and interpretation were gpod beyond -words. Miss Eunice Tait gavo sfl good a performance that the judge strongly recommended lliat some recognition be made of her fine" performance, even though there were only two entrants. The marks in this class were the Highest yet awarded during these coinpetitions. bECiTATION, New Zealand Author. Lady or Gentleman; Own Selection. Mr A. A. Johnson (St, Albans), "The Pioneers" (Prof. A. Wall), 80 points 1 Mr W. H. Moses (St. Albans), "Tho Old Place," 7l points' .. ..2 Miss Mavis Ritchie (Christchurch), "Gathering Peaches," 70 points .. 3 Also competed—Miss Phyllis Neil (Christchurch), Miss Mollio Gallagher (Dunedin), Miss Myfa Edwards (Christchurch), Miss Jean Murehio (St, Albans), Miss Maisie' Linton (Linwood), Miss Gladys o*Cottiiell (Sydenham), Mr J. P. Cahriell (Christchtirch), Mr C. Harroway (Christchurch). Tho winner of this class, said Mr Culford Bell, gave a reflhed rendering of an apt and

finished poem, and he recited it in an manner. Tho work of the second competitor was good and natural, but ho Hid not pot enough emotion from his piece, and his atlitudtis and hand play needed attention. JlisH Kitchle's voire fell at times, and her rendering lost by a lack of restraint. VOCAIj BURT. Lady and Gentleman. Open Class. Own Selection. Miss Klla Skurr and Mr U. Allison (Kircarlon), "Still as the Night," 173 points .. .. .. 1 Miss Muriel Johns and Mr dive Hindlc (Chrlstrhiireh), "Mountain Lovers,"' 163 points . . .. • • 2 Miss Rita Lucas and Mr W. C. Mann (St. Albans), "Break, Diviner liight," 151 points .. ..3 HUMOKOUS RECITATION. Gentlemen. Own Selection. 3lr J. JR. Lester (St. Alb.ms), "The Country J.P.," 80 points .. 1 Mr .1. F. Canncll ((Jhristchurch), "Bo Peep," 77 points .. -.2 Mr A. A. Johnson (St. Albans), "Tho Student," 76 points .. ..3 Also competed—Mr AY. H. Moses (St. Albans), Tho winner of this class gave a very good caricature of a country J.P. on the Bench for the first time, and he brought out tho comedy very well. A good deal more could have been made of Mr CannelPs sketch, a caricature of a . clergyman, and Mr Moses's piece was not strong enough.

TO-NIGHT'S CONCERT. Competitors recalled by the judges will present a capital programme at the Caledonion Hall this evening, commencing at halfpast seven. Recalls will he heard in the mezzo-vocal solo, sacred solo (under 16), and the ladies' Irish song. In two dancing competitions, the operatic dance (under 12) and the character dance (under 16), the finals will be decided. - There' will be several recitations, including the class for recitation in character (under 16), and the final of the men's Dominion test, "Dauber." The piano competition is the final for the "Prelude in G." Tho Usual morning and afternoon sessions will be held at St. Luke's Schoolroom and the Caledonian Hall.