INCENTIVE TO WORK.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 18 May 1929, Page 9

INCENTIVE TO WORK.

VALUE OF COMPETITIONS. SOME EXPERT OPINIONS. Tlio question has been raised how much good is done by musical competitions such as those at present being conducted in Christchuroh, and doubts are felt whether they are in best interests of the competitors, both adult and juvenile, or whether they tend to an objectionably precocious t. u ' n ' er happy unless in the limolght of the stage. Enquiries from musical critics and gentlemen with exCompetition organisation iti Christchurch yesterday seemed to suggest that if there were disadvantages they were few, and were outweighed by the advantages. Mr H. M. Lund said he thought that the Competitions had the effect of maka. good many people work who would not otherwise have done so. Many an indifferent person tried to work to his best ability. He did not think much conceit was caused by them. He did not know whether children wore the first consideration, though in numbers they were largest. Singing took a prominent part, but the drawback was that comparatively few.were ever heard of afterwards, because there was no opportunity. There were just a few that might keep in the public eye. It was one thing to be qualified, but another to get a chance of being heard oj the stage. No one preferentially employed girls because they were distinguished in the Competitions. They might be good from the standpoint of mechanical judging, but they might leave an audience entirely cold. There might be better chances, he thought, if they gradually extended the programme, and followed the policy of varying it as much as possible. It was preposterous' to give 365 programmes in a small place like Christchurch. At Home they had an orchestra of their own, and gave as much music as would fill out the whole year. "But in the main," said Mr Lund, "I think the advantages are greater than the drawbacks." Difficulty of Judging. There was the greatest difference here between the judges, even if good musicians were employed. They had to rely on immediate impressions, and had to give a final judgment after listening to one thing after another. Eventually the matter was decided by the personal taste of the judges, who differed considerably one from another. Even at Home, where two or three judges were acting, there had been severe criticism of their decisions. It was a question of differing standards. Musical examiners who came out from England had a scheme of marks which tied them down to the same courses year after year. This had the advantage of letting the student know on what grounds he, was to be judged. It required time, said Mr Lund, to become accustomed to publicity. With some people nerves played a great part, and many of the best failed through this. The stage experience was a. trying one, and possibly the Competitions helped to overcome-it. Madame Schumann, he said, even after yrears on the stage, would shake like a leaf for the first few minutes on the platform. Some performers lost ground through personal preferences of the judges. One man might make up his mind about enunciation, and mark low if this was not good. In a large place like the Concert Hall enunciation was more difficult to some men than to others. If jioBW nie§ preferred clear enunciation i #to»the best "of voices one could not say they were wrong, only that they differed in their taste. "I think there is nothing seriously objectionable in Competition work," concluded Mr Lund. Great Advantages. Mr J. J. Dougall, patron of the Competitions Society, was emphatic in his approval of the value of their work. They created a desire, he said, for a musical education and for elocution. They were purely educative, and be had .never seen anything that people could take exception to. They created intense interest, and were of value to the young children, who liked the dancing, recitations, and monologues. It encouraged them in dainty and tasteful dressing, and he had seen this aa good as on the professional ' stage. Mr Dougalldid not think the publicity harmful, as ho had seen children of ten to twelve who had been successful on the stage perfectly natural off it. It gave them self-confidence, and did not encourage precocity. The Competitions in Australia and New Zealand had started in Ballarat about thirty years ago, and had spread from there to most of the towns in New Zealand, where they had been _ very successful. In hundreds of homes they had brought happiness to parents as well as to children. A few who had taken part in the Competitions had gone on the stage, and had done well, especially in ballet dancing. They had to leave New Zealand for Sydney, of course, to get the necessary training. Mr E. T. Lawn, a member of the Executive Council of the society, said there was no doubt that the Competitions were of use. He thought it might be wise to restrict some of the dancing classes to the older children. The Competitions did not do the slightest harm. Many of the wireless concerts were given by artists who had been through the Competitions, which made them practise and do their best. If some children were slightly precocious, he thought this due to their parents, who pushed them too hard. This year the Competitions were more popular than ever, and a record entry of over 2000 had been received.