THE COMPETITIONS AND CHOIR SINGING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 297, 14 September 1927, Page 14

THE COMPETITIONS AND CHOIR SINGING

Sir, —In his “Foreword” to the 1027 syllabus tlie president of the Wellington Competitions Society says: “While our festivals have been so successful generally, we still have one regret, and that is that we cannot get the support of choirs.” He then gives an extract from an article on “British Music: Past mid Present,” by Sir Herbert Brewer, Mtis. Doc., F.R.C.0., commending the great benefits derived by choirs from participating in competition work, and lie adds: “We feel sure that if choirs and choirmasters will seriously consider the remarks of this eminent musician we will in future receive adequate entries in these important classes.” The remarks of the president in this connection open up a question which many of us would gladly see ventilated, viz., whether singing in choirs is' or is not beneficial to good voice production. There are numbers of teachers of singing in Wellington who insist that their pupils, throughout the whole period of their training, must sever all connection with choir work, with the result that many beautiful voices are lost to our choirs, and the standard of such singing kept thereby considerably lower than it ought to be. An authoritative statement on the matter, therefore, given expression to through your columns, and coming from the leading teachers of singing in Wellington, would be gratefully welcomed by the musical portion of the community, and would also, if I- mistake not, help to clear away the misconception which exists in the minds of some as to the supposed harm done to the voice through its bieng associated with efiny: work. Unless and until this is done it will be futile to look for the improvement in the choir entry which the president of the Welington Competitions Society is asking for. The present conflicting attitude of the various representatives of the musical profession is a se-ious drawback to the attainment of any high level of choir work in our midst, and is, besides, proving a continual source of irritation. I would welcome ,and many others I feel sure would also be grateful to the vocal judge, Mr. E. Douglas Tayler, if, in his remarks at the close of the female voice choir contest on Wednesday evening, he were to refer to this important’matter and help, perhaps, to clear -the atmosphere.—l am, etc.,

G. F. PETRIE. The Vicarage, Kelburn, September 13.

Sir.—Mr. E. Douglas Tayler apparently has a very poor opinion of tho vocalists appearing before him at the Wellington competitions, and it appears that his method of criticism “with no uncertain voice” is having a discouraging and dishearetniing effect on young singers. Certainly his attitude towards the children in many cases savours of • the classroom with a cane very much in evidence. There is no reason why the competitions festival should have such an atmosphere, nor should the adjudicator be allowed to air his views on songs and composers as Mr. Tayler is doing. He should remember that opinions differ, and leave it to the Competitions Society to lay down rules and regulations for competitors to follow. His action in interrupting singers has been noticed by many, and is not conducive to the best results. In this matter I would support the previous writer. “Not a Competitor."—l am, etc., ONE OF THE AUDIENCE. Wellington. September 13.

Sir,—l am very grateful to you for publishing my lines on “Children’s Voices” in “The Dominion” of September 12. In my first letter I stated that Mr. Douglas Tayler appears to have a weakness for certain voices. In Hr. Taylor’s reply he appears to have dodged my main point, that of being “tolerant” to all voices. I was not seeking any argument as .regards muscles of the throat. On the muscle topic Mr. Tayler and I could argue for a generation, -and still have differences of opinion i My point again is that Mr. Tayler is not “tolerant” enough, and he needs to give this point his deepest consideration. A writer in “The Dominion” of September 13 under the heading of ‘'Not a Competitor” states that competitors have the privilege of performing what item they consider suitable, and with this statement I entirely agree. Mr. Tayler appears to criticise the performers’ choice of item too freely. I have noticed him criticise in this manner on a number-of occasions. A judge’s critical remarks are good .for any competitor, but at times even judges just over-step-the mark, and criticise the wrong points. Perhaps Mr. Tayler has in mind that the particular item should really be “selected.” and the one item only performed by all competitors of the particular section. If Mr. Tayler has this idea in mind, then of course the whole complexion is altered, and may be more satisfactory for all competitors concerned.—l am. etc., BRITISH MUSIC. Wellington, September 13.