N.Z. COMPOSERS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 286, 29 August 1933, Page 10

N.Z. COMPOSERS

Dispute at Competitions Festival WILLOUGHBY RULED OUT One of the classes in the Wellington Competition Society’s festival is the vocal solo, New Zealand composer, for ladies, any voice, own selection. There were 27 competitors in the event yesterday afternoon, and three or four who chose songs by Charles Willoughby were astonished when they were informed by the judge, Dr. Cyril Jenkins, that Willoughby was not a New Zealand composer but an American. It may be mentioned that he has been accepted by the society as a New Zealand composer. Two of his compositions sung yesterday were “Summer Rain” (twice) and “Stolen Wings.” Miss Ella Gamble sang the first, and at the conclusion was recalled by the judge, who asked, “Do you know that Charles Willoughby is not a New Zealander?” The competitor replied that her teacher had informed her otherwise. Miss Kathleen Chapple (Christchurch) and Miss Cecily Whiteford (Wellington) also sang Willoughby’s songs. In one case the competitor had been informed by her teacher —who adjudicated at the Wellington Competitions three or four years ago—that the question might be raised, and that Charles Willoughby was born in Dunedin and lived in New Zealand until about 20 years of age, when he went to London with Mr. Arthur Sullivan. A further statement was to the effect that Charles Willoughby was not only born in Dunedin, but worked in a shop in Manners Street,, Wellington, adjoining Charles Begg and Co.’s premises, for some. time. It was contended that his works should be accepted by the judge. When announcing the final results last night, as reported in another column, Dr. Jenkins said it was rather new to him to find an American name figuring on the list of New Zealand composers. It was the first time that he;had heard that Charles Willoughby was a New Zealander. “It has been a pleasure to hear some of the charms of one of your composers. Alfred Hill,” added Dr. Jenkins.