MUSIC AND ELOCUTION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 274, 20 August 1928, Page 15

MUSIC AND ELOCUTION

OPENING OF WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRANTS SOCIETY CONGRATULATED BY PRIME MINISTER Record numbers of competitors are this year taking part in the Wellington musical and elocutionary competitions, which commenced at the Town Hall on Saturday. The entries for the various sections total 2850, this figure representing an increase of 450 on last year. Several classes were disposed of on Saturday, recalls being taken in the evening, when the festival was officially declared open by the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates. Morning, afternoon and evening sessions of the competitions were held on Saturday. Twelve classes, which largely comprised events for children, were heard during the day. With the exception of the mouth organ solo, all the evening competitors were recalls. The judges are as follow:—Vocal and instrumental, Mr. G. Vern Barnett (Sydney); elocution, Mr. B. Gibb J Sydney); dancing, Miss F. E. Emery (Christchurch); highland dancing, Mr. J. C. Fulton (Wellington); country dances, Miss Blackburne (Wellington). The accompanist is Miss Dorothy Mills. At the official opening ceremony in the evening the president of the society, Mr. F. Campbell, expressed the hope that this year’s festival would be the most successful yet held under the auspices of the society. He also hoped that the audiences would derive both enjoyment and Instruction from the various performances. It was gratifying to see the interest taken in the competitions movement by parents, students, and teachers of elocution, music and dancing. The society felt that the number of competitors taking part in the festivals each year would continue to grow. A Civic Event.

“We look upon these competitions as a civic event,” declared Mr. Campbell. “We want the citizens to get behind the movement. The society has grown from small beginnings and to-day it is one of the largest in Australia and New Zealand. We want to keep it in the forefront. For the last two years there has been a deficit on the competitions and it is ‘up to’ the citizens to realise that it is a civic movement and that we want their help and assistance.” Reference to the loss of Mr. H.. Whittle, who has gone to Australia, was made by Mr. Campbell. He mentioned that Mr. Whittle’s place as accompanist was being taken by Miss D. Mills. The society had endeavoured to obtain the services of the best adjudicators available, as had been the case in the past. The society also appreciated what the Education Department was doing in introducing music into the schools. Mr. Campbell then called on. the Primei. Minister to declare the competitions open, remarking that the society had appropriated one of Mr. Coates’s very few spare evenings. / Universality of Music. “Music knows no creed, no colour, and no language,” said the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, in congratulating the president of the society and his band of workers on the work they were doing in fostering the arts. Mr. Coates remarked that when it was realised that the proceeds of the competitions were devoted to scholarships it was up to one and all to give the society all the assistance of which they were capable.’ The popularity of the competitions was shown by the fact that over 23,000 paid for admission to the day sessions during last year’s festival. He wished to congratulate those who came forward as competitors. It was not, he was sure, altogether a joy to sing to a hall full of critics, but the competitors showed good sportsmanship and were deserving of everyone’s good wishes for the efforts they put forward. He wished to congratulate the chairman, the committee and the competitors, and hoped that the visiting judges from Australia would not only find talent in New Zealand, but would also enjoy their stay in the country. Remarks by Judges. The two Australian judges, Mr. G. y. Barnett, of Sydney, who is adjudicating in the vocal and instrumental section, and Mr. B. Gibb, also of Sydney, who is judging in elocution, then spoke. Mr. Barnett asked for sympathy for the adjudicators, for they would, he believed, be the most adjudicated people in Wellington for the next few weeks. Of course they could only please one or two in 'each class. They hoped, however, that their adjudications would meet with general favour. They could not please everybody. It was mentioned by Mr. Barnett that competitions in Queensland were subsidised by the Government, while the Victorian Government also subsidised the Ballarat competitions and in addition ran special trains there during a festival. “Competitions,” said Mr. Barnett, “should beget competition. It is. not sufficient to win prizes. It should be a first step to further progress.” Describing himself as an elocutionary ambassador from Australia, Mr. Gibb said he was here to criticise and to give credit to the high standard of work in New Zealand. He considered there was not sufficient interest taken in elocution. Many people associated elocution with bare recitation, but there was a marked difference. Good speech was like good music; it always captivated the ear and added interest to our Ilves. Youth Prevails. When announcing his awards at the conclusion of the night’s performance, Mr. Barnett mentioned that he found the juvenile section on which he had adjudicated that day much better than the adult section. Of course it was always the way, he added. With the younger people there was always more evidence of preparedness and no pose or agitation as among the older competitors. Referring to the mouth organ solo, Mr. Barnett said it was surprising the effect that could be obtained out of a mouth organ. He advised competitors in this section in future to play two or three tunes so as to give variety. They could easily be played in two or three minutes. In commenting on the elocutionary work he had judged that day, Mr. Gibb remarked that in humorous selections general effect played a large part. One child may be a good elocutionist, but the effect max not be convincing.

DETAILED RESULTS Saturday’s results are as follow:; — PIANO SOLO, under 10, “Pleasant Pastimes,” Nos. and 3. Miss Millieent Ennis, Lyall Bay, 93 / points 1 Miss Jocelyn Walker, Wellington, 92 points 2 Miss Ngaire Highet, Hataitai, Olpts. 3 Miss Nara Bohlson, Wellington, and Master Paul Magill, Wellington, were highly commended. f ACTION SONG, boy or girl, under 9, not in costume, own selection. Master Earle Catterick, Palmerston North, “Only Seven,” 92pts 1 Miss Joan Harris, Lower Hutt, “My Precious Teddy Bear,” OOpts. .. 2 Miss Norma Sturrock, Christchurch, "Umbrella Song,” BSpts 3 Miss Lilian Kennedy, Porirua, was highly commended. HUMOROUS RECITATION, girls under 12, own selection, section A. Miss Kathleen Read, Christchurch, .. "The Wonder Child,” 91pts 1 Miss Roma Topp, Lyall Bay, "In the Train,” 89pts. ................ 2. Miss Joyce Graham, Wellington, Just Like a Boy,” and Miss Ismay McIlroy, Wellington, “My First Appearance.” each 88pts. Miss Patricia Kerr, Island Bay, and Miss Nathalie Pollock, Kelburn, were highly commended. HUMOROUS RECITATION, girls under 12, own selection, section B. Miss Audrey Oates, Palmerston North, “Bad Sir Brian,” 87pts , 1 Miss Margery Goodwin, Palmerston North, “The Music Lesson, 85pts 2 Miss Constance Kelly, Northland, 84pts 6 BOYS’ SONG, 12 and under 16. “Just Think.” Any key. Master Dawson Douglas, Christchurch, 90 points V ••• ’ ’ o Master Douglas Gayne, Levin, oJpts. J Master Warwick Lawrence, Carter- - ton, 87pts ••••;•• ° Master Roy Haggart, Khanclallali, was highly commended. MOUTH ORGAN SOLO, 16 and over. No attachments allowed. Mr. Bernard Lee, Kilbirnie, “Colonel Bogey,” 94pts 1 Mr. Ernest Gordon, Wellington, “Moonlight and Roses,” 92pts. . 2 Mr. M. Edlin, Berhampore, 90pts. ... 3 DUET IN CHARACTER, Boys and Girls or Girls, under 12. Own selection. Marks awarded for costume. Miss Shirley Perrin and Miss Irene Wilson, both of Brooklyn, “Are You Going to Dance,” 88pts. .. 1 Miss Jessie Sawyer and Miss Nola Hyde, both of Brooklyn, “In 1822,” 87pts 2 Miss Nola Hyde and Miss Sadie Mauby, both of Brooklyn, “Dear Little Jammy Face,” S6pts. .... 3 Miss Audrey Daniels and Miss Dorothy Daniels, Wellington, and Miss Eunice Scott and Miss Roma Topp, Wellington, were highly commended. SPECIAL NAVY LEAGUE RECITATION, Boys under 16, “Admirals All.” Master Cedric Muir, Lower Hutt, 88 points 1 Master Billie Shannon, Palmerston North, 86pts. 2 Master Ralph Holmes, Palmerston North, and Master Edward Topp, Lyall Bay, were both highly commended. CONTRALTO SOLO. Own selection. Miss Belle Renaut, Lyttelton, “Slum- , ber Song of the Madonna,” 94pts. 1 Miss Edith Rogers, Miramar, “If My Songs Were Only Winged,” 90pts. 2 Miss Jesse Dunnet, Wellington, “Recompense,” 89pts 3 Miss Rea Sutcliffe, Lyttelton, Miss Eirene Bull, Brooklyn, and Mrs. C. Granquest, Shannon, were highly commended. RECITATION, Girls, 12 and under 16. “Arms and the Man.” Miss Beryl Tanks, Brooklyn, 89pts. 1 Miss Marjorie Hill, Brooklyn, 87pts. 2 Miss Olga K. Jackson, Hataitai, and Miss Freda Whittaker, Kliandallah, each 86 points 3 Miss Ina Small, Seatoun, Miss Mary Ensor, Roseneath, and Miss Gwenda Webb, Wellington, were highly commended. SOPRANO OR MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLO. Own selection. Miss Margaret Martin, Nelson, ■ “Drumadoon,” 90 points ....... 1 Miss Lilian Shakes, Miramar, “Hush My Little One,” 88pts. ........ 2 Miss Grace Williams, Wanganui, Villanelie,” 86pts • • » Miss Dorothy Newman, Rosejieath, and Miss Doreen Carmen, Wellington, were highly commended.

BrYRITONE OR BASS SOLO. Own selection.

Mr. Ernest Glading, Petone, The Glory of the Sea,” 91pts. ..... • 1 Mr. E. McLellan, Wellington, Hybrias the Cretan,” 87pts. ...... k Jlr. Lionel Inch, Wellington, Droop Not, Young Lover,” SJpts Mr. Arthur Staunton, Wellington, was highly commended.