Competitive Spirit In New Zealanders

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29193, 2 May 1960, Page 2

Competitive Spirit In New Zealanders

[By

RUTH THORN]

Though I have no statistics to quote I think it would be quite safe to say that never in the history of New Zealand has the competitive spirit been so strong. It does not matter whether you garden, debate, paint, dance or are a member of a marching team—somewhere or other there are competitions organised for you to test your skills.

Soon the music and dancing competitions will begin. Many persons will be entering, some of them for the first time, while others could almost be termed veterans. Everyone will go along with the desire to win, but as we all know only too well, the majority will suffer disappointment. Is there a sure road to success, apart from a natural talent, and a determination to study and practise? I doubt it, but having been a keen competitor for many years, there are a few hints I picked up in England that might be of assistance. First, if you are new to the game, start right away by buying a little notebook. In it put down the judge’s name, then leave a large space for his remarks. It Is surprising how much this system helps. Sooner or later you will come up against the same judge and then you refer to your little book and see comments like these: “Detests any stage mannerisms, k not so concerned with technical detail as with artistic feeling,” or “Never glances at competitor. Must be a woman hater. Has passion for technical detail.” Judge Is Human

See what I mean? You must remember that every judge is human, and has his idiosyncrasies. Then there is always that horrible nightmare of nerves. You imagine your voice will dry up, your fingers will go numb, the swords will suddenly gain a magnetic force so that you will trip over them, or that greatest of all horrors, your memory will fail. Nerves, I can assure you, attack us all—if we are artistic. Without them, our performances would react on the judges like a helping of last week’s cold suet pudding. He Fainted Sometimes I acted as accompanist at the Brighton Musical Festival in England. These competitions always attracted a large number of entrants, and it was not in the least bit unusual for the judge to have to listen to more than 90 performances of “Cherry Ripe” or some such test piece. I once saw a really ghastly attack of nerves. Competitor number 80 was a young man well over 6ft tall, of massive build, and not at all a bad singing voice. He came up on the platform, handed me his music, settled himself In the middle of the stage, and I, started to play. After the first few bars I always peered at the singers to see how they were reacting, "and I was amazed to see this stalwat young man swaying like a giant poplar in a breeze.

“Mm, nervous.” I thought, “He’ll get over it I’ll give him plenty of help if his voice starts to waver” —and went on playing. However, before I’d come to the end of the opening bars, the giant poplar, toppled over, in a faint. He Was removed from the platform, given a glass of water, and numbers 81 and 82 carried on. After this, a swift consultation was held in the background, and number 80 redeemed himself by reappearing, and singing quite

well. He did not gain a place, but nevertheless, he did not give up. Give A Smile I have never seen anyone else faint on a platform from that day to this, but in case you think you might do so, always take a deep breath and mentally and physically flop just before you start your performance. It need' only take a matter of seconds, but this is the time when the judge will glance up from the pile of papers on the table, and gain a fleeting impression of you. This is also the moment to give a little smile. If it is a nervous one—all the better. You will have a sympathetic audience on your side. We all know the type of person who goes in for the competitions year after year, and always wins. This gives you the feeling that it isn’t worth entering, which is quite understandable. But there is another angle to be considered. From the ages of 11 to 14 I entered all the pianoforte classes. Every year, bar one, I was always beaten by a boy called Tony. The year that I did win, I was not the least bit thrilled, because although Tony’s name had appeared on the printed programme, he did not perform. He had been smitten with a sudden attack of measles. I have quoted this example because if you take the right attitude the person who always wins should not put you off, but make you more determined than ever to gain first place. Advice To Parents Now a word to the parents of younger competitors. I know it means a lot to you that your child should win. But your anxiety, if shown, acts as a deterrent rather than as an incentive. I have seen mothers flitting round back stage, giving last-minute instructions, adjusting skirts and hair ribbons, and making such a nuisance of themselves their children start to panic. To be perfectly honest, I think you would be doing your child a far greater service if you settled down in the audience, and offered up a silent prayer for your child’s success.