THE COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 284, 26 August 1922, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

FOURTH DAY’S PROCEEDINGS WELLINGTON OUTCLASSED IN SOPRANO TALENT SKILFUL EXHIBIT OF CLASSIC DANCING As the competitions proceed the task of the judges in eliminating those not qualified to reappear in recall numbers m the evenings becomes more difficult. Public interest grows drily, and from early in the forenoon until tho hour of the latest trams, tho Town Hall, upstairs and down, is a seething bustle of adult and juvenile artists, all attended by parents, friends, or admirers. The feature Of yesterday’s programme was the decided set-back Wellington talent received in what may be regarded as the most interesting contest to date, toe sacred solo competition for sopranos or mezzo-sopranos. Candidates numbered 26, and the choice of selections Was very varied. The judge indicated four candidates as worthy of recall, but no one of them came from Wellington. This city suffered a similar reverse on the previous day, when three Christchurch girls captured the three places for juvenile reciters, in a field of 19, more than half of whom were from Wellington. The promoters of tho competitions, regard these “outside” successes as likely to have an important bearing in popularising the festival in the other centres. Some striking quality was displayed in the barefooted classic dancing, in which event- tho judge, Miss Cecil Hall, of Auckland, highly commended , three of the candidates, besides recalling three for the competitive test for final honours in the evening. The hall was again crowded last night to witness the finals, and. toe character recital by boys, and toe men’s humorous recitation.

DETAILED RESULTS PIANO SOLO (SCHOLARSHIP). The first section of toe Bristol Piano Co.’s scholarship was played off. The second section and final will be contested on Wednesday next. The selected niece yesterday was “Barcarolle,” in G. major (Rubenstein), annotated edition No. 196, and “Scherzo” in E minor, Op. 16, No. 2 (Mendelssohn), examination series 91. The following competed : —Sybil Budd, Hntaitai; Raymond Hill, Wellington; Ray Sneddon, Hataitri ; Vera Boesley, Wellington; Mavis Dillon, Wellington; Master F. McKenzie, Wellington ; J. N. Biggs, Wanganui; Molly Ward, Wellington; Douglas White, Brooklyn;. Bessie Pollard, Christchurch; Alice Duff, Wellington; Edna Penney. Christchurch; Eileen Coed, Wellington. SCOTTISH SONG. Gentlemen. Own selection. £2 end £l. . .

Recalls.—B. H. Maya’l, Kilbirnie, “Mary of Argyle” ; A. Macdonald, New Plymouth, “Turn Ye Tae Me” ; Claude C. Moss, Wellington, “Border Ballad.” Other competitors.—C. V. Goddard, Wellington; Ralph Holdgate, Timaru; Frank Bryant, Petore; Alex Murray, Wellington; T. Watson, Gisborne. Result.—Claude Morris. 96, 1; A. Macdonald. 95. 2; B. H. Mayall, 93, 3‘. Very highly commended: Frank Br.;nnt. Highly commended: Ralph Ho’dgate. Judge’s Comment. —Winner, glorious basso cantante voice,; very good light and shade, enunciation good, tempo excellent; well produced; musically corre'ct, fine rendering.

READING AT SIGHT. Girls under 16. Trophies.. £1 Is. and

10s. , Result. —K. Philpott. Christchurch, 64, 1; Ngaire Phipson, Wellington, 82, 2; Joyce Staff, Christchurch, and Mavis Windsor. Wellington, 81 each, tied for third place. Highly commended: Thelma Aitken, Edna Purdie, Jessie Dunnet, Sinclair Breen, G. von Hartizsch, Heni Smith, Hazel Wells, all of Wellington. Judge’s Comment. —“I am pleased to see such a fine entry. Reading is a fine thing to develop in juveniles. The work was very satisfactory. Piece selected was from Dickens’s “Christmas Carol,” which gives good opportunity for bright, expressive reading. Some’of the competitors ‘came down’ in pronunciation on a few. words that I did not think would be difficult, and some held the book too high,; biding tho facial expression, which is very important in conveying the thought in the mind. Miss Philpott, nice speaking voice, good pausation and expression, read very intelligently; two. mistakes in pronunciation. Miss Phipson, most correct reading, no mistakes in pronunciation, but too hurried; lacked pause and expression, too serious, otherwise very good. Joyce Staff, held book too high, good expression, good idea of reading, caught spirit of the piece very well; some vowel sounds need care, stumbled on a couple of words. Mavis Windsor, nice manner, very good expression, caught spirit of piece very well, good emphasis, two or three words proved too difficult.

ACTION RECITATION. Boy or girl under 9. Not in costume. Own selection. Marks awarded for action'. Properties permitted.

10s. and ss. - „ , . Recalls.—Belle Whitmarsh, Hataitai, “Pawning Dolly” ; Jeane Coker, Kilbirnie, “Three Bp vs” ; Nonie Wright, Auckland, “The Parts of My Bodv.” Other competitors.—Lilian Skeels, Auckland; Miss V. Skilling, Timaru; Bertha Lamberg, Timaru; Cara Evatt, Blenheim; May Martin, Dulcie Davey, Jean McQueen, Dorothy Johns, Master B. McCarve, Joyce Dinniston, Dorothy Graham, Queenio McLean, all of Wellington. ... ’ Result—Joan Coker, 87, 1; Nonie Wright. 86. 2; Belle Whitmarsh, 85, 3. Judge’s Comment. —"Winner chose good piece; good variety of detail; very good for one so young.

JUNIOR TEST RECITAL. Boys under 16. Own selection. Trophies, £1 Is. and 10s. Recalls.; —George Power, Wellington, “The Little Grenadier”.; Bert Goodland, Christchurch, “The Guides at Cabul”; G. Phillips, Hataitai. “The Fall of D’Assas” ; L. Searlo, Wellington, “Columbus.” . , Other Competitors.—M. Clark, Napier; R. Booeock, Wellington; P. Munn, Christchurch ; R. Foster, Christy church; D. Bush, Wellington; A. Grant, Kilbirnie. Result. —Bert Goodland. 84, 1; C. Phillips, 83, 2; George Power and L. Searle/ 82, 3. Highly commended: R. Foster. ■Judge's Comment. —Good selection, good voice; more spirit;. heroic story well told; rather swift in gesture.

RECITATION. _ Ladies, “Tho' Volunteer’s Mother’ (Sarah Benton Dunn). £2 and £l. Recalls.—Phyllis Adams, Wellington; Mary Cooley, Wellington; M. Smith, Muritai. Other Competitors.— Muriel Freeman, Timaru: Violet Wilson, Palmerston North; Myra Edmonds, Christchurch; N. Irving, Christchurch; Antonia. Teschner, Dunedin; Kathleen Doyle, Johnsonville; Sheila Neilson, Wellington; M. E. Adams, Wellington; M. W. L. Halliday, Hataitai; Thyra Baldwin, Lyall Bay; May Mo

Donald, E. D. Pennington, Gladys Bennett, Gladys Whitehouse, Bertha Cross, Lower Hutt.

Result.—M. Smith, 90, 1; Mary Cooley, 89, 2; Phyllis Adams, 86, 3. Highly commended: M, L. W. Halliday, Thyra Baldwin, May McDonald. judge’s Comment.—Winner, good quality, expressive voice, good diction, excellent tone, colour, and facial expression.

SACRED SOLO. Soprano or mezzo-soprano. Own selection. £2 and £l. Recalls. —Edith Morrison, Otaki, “Rejoice Greatly”; Lilian Archibald, Christchurch, “Fear Not Me” ; Mae Officer, Wanganui, “0 lord, Hast Thou Searched Me Out” ; Elspeth Denholm, Oamaru, “How Lovely are Thy Dwellings.” Other Competitors.—Nellie Wilkinson, Dallas Maxwell, Rubina Judd, Evelyn Harrir. Irene Lawton, Peggy Jones, Mrs. T. Glennie, Gwen Evans. Wellington; Maud Elderton, Otaki: Lilian Quinn, Auckland; Stella Stehr, Auckland ; Dorothy Naumann, Christchurch; Kate Mullaney, Napier; Amy Wilkes, New Plymouth; Jessie Duff, Christchurch; Mrs. F. G. Davies, Otaki; D. Phillips, Strafford; Miss Denn, Christchurch; Emmio Marks, Christchurch; Lilian Hanham, Christchurch ; Barbara Hanna, Christchurch; Edna Udy, Greytown.

Rdsult. —Elspeth Denholm, 93, 1: Mae Officer, 91, 2; Lilian Archibald, 91, 3; Edith Morrison, 90, 4. Very highly commended: Gwen Evans. Highly commended: Evelyn Harns, Kate Mullaney. Amy Wilkes, Lilian Hanham.

Judge’s Comment. —Winner, fine strong voice, capital intonation, evidently musically educated, fine tone, good time, religious fervour.

RECITATION. Men. Open only to those who have not won a first prize at any competition. “Sold Foreign)” (C.F.S.). Trophies, £2 2s. and £l. Result. —C. E. Chapman, Kelburn. 87, 1; John Watchman, Karori, 85, 2: Harold Heron, Wellington, 84, 3 Other Competitors. —Stanley Airth and W. H. Knos, Wellington. Judge’s Comment. —Chapman, good voice, emphasis could be improved, more bodily freedom required; a certain degree of finish about the effort that was lacking in the others. Watchman, distinct, a little uneasy with hands, actions lacked freedom, rhetorical pause neglected, good _ suggestion, of character, good reflective mood. Heron, good voice, some faulty inflections ; needed more light and shade, imagination, and bodily freedom. CLASSIC DANCE (GREEK OR EASTERN). Barefoot. Under 16. £1 and 10s.

Recalls. —Joyce Julian, Wellington: Ngaire Phipson, Jean Coker, Wellington. Highly commended : Frances Clisby, Zelma Carroll, Phyllis Oliver. Other Competitors.—Myra' Pollard, Christchurch ; K. Bassett, Upper Hutt: Sinclair Breen, Dorothy Potter, Afrisie Churchward, Etta Bassin, Wellington.

.Result.—Joyce Julian,. 89, 1; Ngaire Phipson, 87. 2; Jean Coker, 85. 2.

Judge's Comment. —Joyce Julian, expression very good, a little unsteady at times; body movements excellent, wrists could be a little more flexible ; a very talented little dancer; more steady at night. Ngaire Phipson, thumbs and fingers out too much ; interpretation very'good; gives a good conception of the East; a clever little girl. Jean Coker, evidently nervous; very good for such a tiny; most promising.

HUMOROUS RECITATION. Gentleman, open class, own selection ; £2 and £l. Result. —Barton Ginger, 87, 1; E. C. Smythe, 84, 2; W. Hi Knox;-80, 3. Also competed: C. E. G. Chapman, Kelburn. ... ;... Judge’s Comment. —Winner, easy and natural manner; does not force humour, facial expression well varied, by-play good; more characterisation would have improved.

RECITATION IN CHARACTER. Boys under 12. Result. —Lawrence Searle, 82, 1; Raymond Phillips, 80. 2; Ronald Foster. Christchurch, 79, 3. Only competitors. Judge’s Comment. —Make-up of winner overdone, looked as if he had been in a railway accident; too careful in manner, diction too precise, actions realistic; good feeing.

STORY WITHOUT WORDS. Miss Mavis Halliday and Stanley Airth presented “In a Railway Train.”

WHAT THE JUDGES THINK The judges made comment, as appears below, in regard to the performances of competitors at Thursday s contests: —I . Action recitation, boy or girl, 9 and Under 12. —Alice Chapman, Christchurch (second), very wee voice, distinct, pleasing in manner, style a little “studied,” easy in movement, light on the feet, actions. suitable, can be improved in expression. Stella Chapman, Christchurch (third), plenty of properties, used same whore a little unnecessary, very interesting item, story well acted, words distinct, actions easy and proper, a little overdone, should take care of tho vowel sounds. Recitation, girls, 12 and under 16, “Butterflies.” —Jean Carr, Kilbirnie, and Jessie Dunnett, Wellington, tied for second place. Jean Carr did not work the head so much, .very nice voice, distinct, pretty expression, facial and vocal, pausation good. Jessie Dunnett, entry a little careless, nice voice, distinct, actions a little stiff, more pause, expression very fair, but needed more variety, not enough grief in last verse, slight tendency to run words together, finish a little careless. . , Recital and musical accompaniment, 16 and under 21- —Madge Shearer (second), sympathetic voice, effective combination, music fitting, expression good, emotion slightly overdone. Gladys Cammon, Marton (third), voice a little heavy sometimes, generally in keeping with music, a more varied expression for the changing scenes, words distinct, a little descriptive gesture wouffl be acceptable, music very fitting. Classical dialogue, ladies and (or) gentlemen. —Miss Halligan and. Mr. Ginger (second), costumes and make-up appropriate, male voice not always sustained, could have been more crusty, missed good points in dialogue, lady played nicely, should show more archness and coyness,_ quarrel could have been worked up noth more spirit, general effect very good, very creditable presentation of scene. Miss Atkins and Mr. Chapman (third), Arthur should exhibit move fear and horror when he "reads paper, lacking in pathetic pleading and real feeling, Hubert indifferent at times, very creditable, but scene offers greater opportunity, more by-play. Duet, in character. —Phyllis McMillan and Effie Brice (second), singing and acting very nice, altogether very good. Joyco Julian and Thelma Aitken (third), shopherd scene from “Rendezvous,” costumes beautiful, actions very good, singing smart and voices blend together well, both look charming. Soprano solo, “The Roses of Sadi”. — Mrs. T. Glennie (second), fine voice, sung with feeling, slightly tremulous, upper notes blatant a little, pathetic rendering, did nob sing so Well in final, time bad, and value of notes cut off. in places. Edna Udy, Greytown (third), gave a very good rendering, upper notes a little blatar.t, did noi sing so well in final, cuts off notes, time in places not too good. Irish song, gentlemen.—B. H. May-

all (second), nice tenor, with much pathos, good quality, very fine rendering, did not ring so well in final, good e-nression. Alex Murray (third), fire voice, capital rendering, production fair mezza voce at 1 finish very good, lower nctes a little out of tuno. but recovered, has not the charm of singer who was first, but did well.

TO-DAY’S EVENTS In the forenoon session to-day there will bo piano solos, 12 and 14; boys song, 12 jtfid under 16: boys’ song, under 12; recitation, girls under 12; recitation, bovs 12 and under 16; humorous recitation bojs under 12. In tho afternoon them w : ll be: Girls .song, under 12; action sv.ig, boy or girl, 12 and under 16; skipping dance, under 12- d’anco (duo) minuet, 12 and under 16; recitation, girls under 9; humorous recitation in character, girls, 12 and under 16; recitation, beys under 9. In tho evening the finals of the chief events of the day will bfi decided, and there will also be tho children’s choruses, the combined ballet, anu Dickens’ character sketch, for gentlemen. 5.