COMPETITIONS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19928, 15 May 1930, Page 16

COMPETITIONS.

CHRISTCHURCH SOCIETY. YESTERDAY'S RESULTS. "Seldom have I heard such, fine piano duet playing as to-night. You can. rest assured that you hare heard as fine duet playing as you will hear anywhere." These remarks were made at the Competitions last night by Mr James Brash, of Sydney, judge of the vocal and instrumental sections. The large audience, by their applause, showed that thev appreciated both the duets and the judge's remarks. The piano duets were a feature of last night's programme. Good attendances were the order yesterday, the children's sections at the Caledonian Hall being specially well patronised. . ] Eesults: — j PIANO DUET. Open Class. Ladies or Gentlemen. Misses Dulcie Clemens (Richmond) and Nancy Watson (Sheffield), "Hungarian Khapsodie No. 3," 93 points .. 1 Swisses Marjorie Alexander (St. Albans) and Marjorie Childs (Kaiapoi), "Merry Wives of Windsor," and Misses Veronica Popo (Auckland) and Joyce Hewitt (Auckland), "A la ! Hongroise" (equal), 92 ppints_ .. -! There were seven pairs of competitors. All the performances were of an exceptionally high standard, and the judge announced that it was liko splitting hairs to decide between them. The placed competitors gave excellent interpretations. SONG FOR GIRLS, Byrs and under 12yrs, "Song of Florian" (Godard). Ngairo Healcy (Ashburton), 88 points .. 1 Patricia Sorrell (Linwood), 87 points .. ■ - Linda Grennell (Ohristchurch and Joan Sorrell (Linwood) (equal), 86 points 3 This was another closely-contested section. Ngaire Healoy's interpretation was splendid, and her reading generally very colourful. She possesses quite a' distinct personality. Patricia Sorrell, besides being a good singer, has an engaging stage presence. RECITATION, Girls 12yrs and under 14jts. "Laugh and Be Merry." Gladys Rose (Linwood), 86 points .., 1 Joan Hughes (Ohristchurch). 85 points .. " Valeria Cater (Riccarton), 84. points .. 3 Joyce Talbot (Timaru), Florence Dwiglit (Ohristchurch), Patricia Townsend (Christchurch), and Myrtle Firth (Bryndwr) were highly commended. ... There wera fourteen competitors. OPERATIC DANCE, iOyrs and under layrs. Gladys Rose (Linwood), 73 points .. 1 Merle Forward (Ohristchurch), 71 points a Noeline l'Hndlay (Temulta), 67 points .. 3 Eleven competed. The winner gave u bright and interesting performance. Her technique was very fair, and she danced with good expression. Tho graceful carriage of the body was a pleasing feature of Merle Forward's dance. SONG FOR BOYS, 12 and under 16. "Orpheus with His Lulo" (Sullivan). John Scott (Woolston), 85 points .. I Erie Williams (Ashburton), 79 points .. i Winston Berry (Avonside), 72 points .. il Four competed. The winner gave much the best performance. He shoived the results of careful tuition. MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLO, "Love Triumphant" (Brahms). Open class. Miss Mavis Greer (Riccarton), 85 points . . • • . . 1 Mrs R. E. Voilcr (St. Albans) and Miss Mabel Lilburn (Woolston), (equal), 82 points . . ■ • . . 2 There were six competitors. The winner- showed herself the possessor of a good voice, but she should be careful in controlling it. The other two wero also in good voice, and could separated by tho judge. W JUNIOR CHAMPION RECITATION. Girls 8 and under 12. Own selection. Not humorous. Beryl Baggs (Richmond), "Little Blue* Eyes," 94 points -. .. 1 Norma Sturrock (Waltham), "Robert of Lincoln," 92 points .. ..2 Shirley McClatchy (Dunedin), "Eastern Legend," 91 points .. ..3 Joan Masters (St. Albans), "Fairyland"; Joan Sorrell (Linwood), "The Singera"; Nancy McKane (Cobden), "A Pot of Gold"; Patricia Sorrell (Linwood), "A Fairy Went a Marketing"; Valerie Campbell (Beckenham), "Little Blue Eyes"; Alma Shaw (Spreydon), "My Will"; Eunice Fowler (Ohristchurch), "Old Grey Squirrel"; Joan Lyno (Timaru), "What the Thrush Says," were.highly commonded. The winner gave a most natural interpretation. Norma Sturrock Improved as she went on. BAREFOOT DANCE, 10 and under 33. Gladys Rose (Linwood), "Goddess of Wine," 76 points .. X Gwen Smith (Christchurch), "La Vines," 72 points . . . . .. 2 Merle Forward (Ohristchurch), "The Wind," 71 points . . . . 3 Noeline Findlay (Temuka), "Joie Jolie," and Betty Buckley (New Brighton), "Tho Vine," wero highly commonded. There wero nine competitors. Tho winner danced with much expression" and fair technique, but was a little unsteady on her feet. The second competitor showed good rhythm, but she, too, became a little unsteady towards the end. VOCAL SOLO, Gentlemen. Own selection. Mr Stanley Sayers (Beckenham), "Eleanore," 87 points .. 1 Mr Georgo Maxwell (Eakaia), "Invictus," 85 points .. .. 2 Mr D. H. Law (Harowood), "Onaway, Awake, Beloved," and Mr John. ■ Denham (Opawa), "Trumpeter" (equal), 84 points . . l .. 3 The winner's production was good. Tho competitor placed second made a good choice. He made a slight lapse to begin with, but remedied it. RECITATION, Girl, 14 and under 16. Molly Fowler (Christchurch), 89 points 1 Anzac Patton (Dunedin) and Edna Grenfell (Shirley) (equal), 87 points .. 2 Grace Nixon (Christchurch), 86 points .. 4 Nanna Newcy (Dunedin) was very highly commended, and Deirdre Hungerford (Wellington) and Joy Word (Hokitika) highly commended. Fourteen competed. INSTRUMENTAL CJUARTET (First acction.) Mr H. J. Smith's Party playod "PleyePs Duo No. 3." They wero the only competitors. CHARACTER DANCE, 16 and over. Joan Yardley (Riccarton), "Gipsy," 72 points .; • .. # j Cathleen Walton (Spreydon), "Russian,'"' 71 points ■■ .;• .. 2 Emily Turner (St. Albanß), "AmericaA Negro," 70 points • .. ..3 The judge pronounced this a disappointing section. One competitor had essayed an Egyptian dance, but Buch characterisations j were useless ■ unless they could be : properly ! staged, and this wag impossible in Buch a class. The winner gave a well-balancod performance. In the charactor dance (18 and under 16) I decided on Tuesday evening. Miss Thelma I Preece was very highly commended. To-day's Programme. To-day's and to-night's items at the competitions will provide a good all-round pro- ; gramme. The first of the- Dickens's character sketches, always popular, will be hoard at the Civic Thoatro to-night, while the charactor danco duos, an attractive class will also be decided. The finals of the Dominion .recitation Bhould also appeal to public taste. Piano duets, vocal solos, and the instrumental quartet section, will add variety. to the programme. Soloists will bo heard to advantage at the Civic Theatre during the day, while tho children s' classes, together with the Dominion recitation (gentlemen), will be advanced a further stage at tho Caledonian