THE COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 296, 13 September 1927, Page 3

THE COMPETITIONS

SOME EXCEELLENT PERFORMERS SOCIETY’S VOCAL SOLO SCHOLARSHIP WON BY AUCKLAND COMPETITOR Showing no diminution of public interest, the third week of the competitions was entered upon yesterday. Chief interest centred in the society’s vocal solo scholarship for ladies, which was won by Miss Beryl Smith, of Auckland. The chief piano solo class, which was open to any amateur over. 16, was won bv Miss Agnes Wright (Hataitai). ‘There was a good attendance at the evening session, a combined ballet (“Russian Festive”) being a feature of the programme. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights this w-eek demonstration concerts will be given, and according to an announcement made by the president of the society (Mr. B. P. Gully) last night, children will be admitted to all parts of the ball at half price. L>etailed results are as follow:— DAY SESSION

BASS SOLO, "Spanish Gold’’ (H, Fisher),

Nine entries. Recalls: Mr. R. Madigan (Wadestown), Mr. Edmund Haldane (Waipukurau), Mr. Sidney Kendall (Wanganui).

SACRED SOLO. Contralto. Own selection. Ten entries.

Miss Beryl Smith (Auckland), “But the Lord is Mindful,” 89 points ... 1 Miss Dora Abbott (Wadestown), ‘‘There is a Green Hill, 86 points 2 Mrs. T. Tracy (Lyall Bay), “Ave Maria” (Luzzi), 84 points 3

ENGLISH SONG. Baritone (folk or traditional. Own selection. Seven entries.

Recalls: Mr. R. R. Bishop (Shannon), “Hearts of Oak”; Mr. A. G. Flanagan (Wellington), “Mowing the Barley"; Mr. Merwyn Castle (Wellington), “The Vicar of Bray” Highly commended: Mr. Edmund Haldane (Waipukurau), “The Death *of Nelson.”

VOCAL SOLO. New Zealand composer. Mezzo soprano. Own selection. Ten entries.

Recalls: Miss Thelma Ayers (Rangiora), “Waiata Maori”; Miss Dora Eriksen (Brooklyn), “Home, Little Maori Home”; Miss Alma Clegg (Lyall Bay), “The Merc.”

PIANO SOLO. Open class, open to any competitor (amateur or professional), over 16. “Impromptu,” in G Flat (Chopin). Eight entries. Mr. Leslie Muir (Lower Hutt), 80 points 1 Miss Agues Wright (Hataitai), 73 points 2

VOCAL SOLO. Competition Society’s Scholarship. Ladies, over 21. (b) Own selection. Nineteen entries Recalls: (Soprano) Miss Ailsa Nicol (Belmont), “Ernani”; (mezzo-soprano), Miss Eileen Higgins (Wellington), “Voce di Donna”; (contralto), Miss Beryl Smith (Auckland), “Che Faro." Highly commended; Miss Edna Greenwood (Wanganui), “Vissi d’Arte.”

CHARACTER DANCE (not hornpipe, jig, or Scottish dance), 9 and under 12. Sixteen entries.

Recalls: Jean Denham (Wellington), "Slavonic Dance”; Dorothy Daniels (Wellington), "Pirate”; Audrey Daniels (Wril-ngton). “Policeman.” Highly commended: Patricia Reade (Wellngton). “Russian"; Thelma Bartholomew (Wellington), ‘Roman Gladiator”: Winnie Lee (Berhanipore). Y chen”; Peggy Welch (Wellington), "Military.”

CLOG DANCE (12 and under 16). Eight entries.

Recalls: Hazel Martin (Wellington), Marjorie Flanagan (Wellington), Joyce Banks (Wellington). . Highly commended: Eileen Davies (Island Bay), Gwen Ward (Wellington).

HUMOROUS RECITATION. Gentlemen. Open class. Own selection.

Eleven entries. Recalls: Mr. Arthur (WelHnrton) "If Life Were a Play ; Mr. E?rol Muir (Lower Hutt), "Bertram On Babies.”

DICKENS CHARACTER SKETCH. Lady or gentleman. Open _ class. Own selection. Fourteen entries. Recalls- Mr. James Davidson (We!10 Hrthly commended; Miss Thelma Aitken (Wellington), “Dolly Varden.

EVENING SESSION CHIEF PIANO SOLO (open W amateur over lb). Miss Agnes Wright (Hataitai), I<4 MissEUeen Roache 167 points CHARACTER DANCE (9-12) Dorothy Daniels (Wellington), 85 j Aud P rey UtS Daniels' 2 Jeau POin Denham 75. ner gave a very clever performance.

CLOG DANCE (12-16). . showing considerable t ° h “ the previous session, remarkea judge.

BASS SOLO. “Spanish Gold.” Mr. Edmund Haldane < Waipuku i Mr . Sidney 6 KendaU'iwAnganu), 89 & Mr. P R Ut iladigan’OVa<Yestown), 88 3 songs very well indeed. VOCAL SOLO (N.Z. composer). Mezzo soprano. Miss Dora Eriksen (Brooklyn), 90 Misf^a , „ Mi S s PO 3 Tim'winner? "sid'Mr." Tayler? gave a beautiful performance, inlosinglS*™ 0 feeling and expression into hei work. Vliss Cleg; s.ng with very fine spiritindeed. having a fine voice. needed a stronger voice for the vigoro parts in her song.

VOCAL SOLO (Society’s Scholarship)Miss Beryl Smith (Auckland), ■ 177 Miss’ 0 Ailsa "Nicol ”’(Beimont), 176 points nt w Miss Eileen Higgins (Wellington), 1/5 Miss'Smith."said the- judge, put good expression into her work, and her performance was very good.

ENGLISH SONG. Baritone. (Folk or traditional.) Mr. A. G. Flanagan (Wellington), 88 points ......... 1

Mr. R. R. Bishop (Shannon), 86 points 2 Mr. Merwyn Castle (Wellington), 85 points — 3 HUMOROUS RECITATION (Gentlemen). Mr J. Watchman (Karori). 89 points 1 Ut. A. Dorrian (Wellington), and Mr. Errol Muir (Lower Hutt), 88 points 2 DICKENS CHARACTER SKETCH. Mr. J. Watchman (Karori), 90 points 1 Miss Vi Wilson (Palmerston North), 88 points “ Mr. J. Davidson 8< points 3 The judge said that the winner gave an excellent rendition, his make-up also being good. Miss was weak at the beginning, her gestures not being quite in keeping with her thoughts. Mr. Davidson gave a fair interpretation of his character study. CHILDREN’S SINGING (To the Editor.) Sir, —I read with interest the letter in this morning’s paper by "British Music.” I think your correspondent voices the opinions of a great number of people when referring to tho children’s classes judged by Mr. Tayler. On Saturday afternoon. September 3, Mr. Tayler not only disapproved of a certain competitor’s song, but interrupted him Wellington audiences are not used to this sort of thing. After all, it being "Competition,” the competitors have the privilege of doing what item they consider suitable, and certainly do not expect to be so treated. One hardly expects a judge to liken children’s voices to animals’ noises heard at the zoo ~ I wonder whether Mr. Tayler would o-ive a vocal item at the demonstratiw* concert to demonstrate to us the art of singing?—l am, etc.. ot singing. A cosfpETrroK> Wellington. September 12.