THE COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 290, 2 September 1933, Page 8

THE COMPETITIONS

Final Events Decided TWO CONCERTS TO-DAY Championships and Scholarships PRESENTATION TO-NIGHT The competitive side of the Wellington Competitions Society’s festival came to a conclusion last evening except for three minor classes, in which final decisions will be given this morning. Demonstration concerts take place this afternoon and this evening, and at the latter gathering the championships and scholarships will be presented by his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, who will be accompanied by Lady Bledisloe. Yesterday’s events included scholarships, ladies’ negro 1 spirituals, an important piano class, recitations and dances. The programmes for the demonstrations concerts include all that is brightest and best from the competitive work done in the last fortnight, with a special choir item to be conducted by : Dr. Jenkins. Selections for Children. Dr. Cyril Jenkins, at the conclusion of his work yesterday, told “The Dominion” that the standard of the work generally was of a very ’satisfactory standard in both vocal and character studies. “There is a matter,” he said, “upon which I should like to make a few comments, and that is the selectlon'of the material which forms the basis of their study for this section. Too many of the parents or teachers are apt to select material which is far beyond the understanding of the children, words and sentiments which have no significance to the children, so as to stir their imaginative qualities. There is a wealth of' music to be obtained which covers interesting verses on every subject of interest, such as nature, and topical subjects such as the postman, policeman, butcher, \ and lamplighter. It is necessary to stir the Imagination of the child instead of trying to induce ideas and emotions beyond their years. From an entertainment point of view, it does not offer the same interest to . adults and it does not offer the same scope for imaginative qualities and interpretive work, which are the very essence of the objects of the festival. It is through the child of today that we expect to control the music of the future. It is in their hands.” Dr. Jenkins added that he had been very delighted at the standard of performances in the dancing and other sections, which he had observed during the festival, and these played a large part in the development of the child in this part of the world. • This side was not so generally developed at Home, and possibly the wonderful climate of New Zealand had something to do with that significant fact.

RESULTS The following is the complete list of awards:— PIANO SOLO, 15-18, “Scherzo Caprice” (Chaminade), Dorothy Downing, Wellington, 86 pts. 1 Walter Senell, Miramar, Slpts. .... 2 Highly commended: Harold Reynolds, Norina Gargetter, Miss Audrey Whitela. Commended: Maureen Mac Lean.

Not a strong class, said Mr. Vernon Griffiths, as the candidates were fully occupied with the merely technical points. CHIEF PIANO SOLO, open to any amateur over 16; (a) “L’Alonette” (The Lark), (b) own, selection. Miss Elsie Phillips, Wellington, 181

pts., and Mr. G.ordon V. Anderson, Christchurch, 181 pts. equal 1 , Very highly commended: Mr. Frank Blackman. Highly commended: Miss Grace Morris, Miss Betty Goodwin. Commended:‘Mr. M. L. McFarlane (Nelsin). Mr. M. P. Hood, Mr. Harold Ashworth. Mr. Vernon Griffiths said Mr. Blackman, for his own selection, had chosen one of the hardest pieces to play, “Rhapsody in E fiat." He gave a remarkable performance, and had lie been allowed to make three recalls Mr. Blaekham .would have been included. He (the judge) had to consider the musicianship of the candidate first, but emphasised that without adequate technique the performer’s innate musicianship was severely handicapped. Mr. Griffiths remarked that many candidates were engaged in business during the day, and had only their spare time for musical study. That their choice was of such a high standard reflected great credit on the teachers, students, and the influence of the competitions. 'lt was vitally important that all serious students of instrumental music, should realise that if they were to succeed in what should he their chief aim—-the interpretation of the composer’s vital musical ideas —then they > must study to get faultless technique. Such study must cover accuracy. _ the careful following of the composer’s directions, production of beautiful tone and all variety of tone, including the use of the pedal, the wide dynamic range—from the real pianissimo to a fortissimo devoid of hardness. It might be asked, “From whence may actual inspiration be obtained?” Music was only one thing in life, ■but with a knowledge of poetry, literature, drama, architecture, sport, and th? study of mankind, the more they would understand. Inspiration came from life itself. They could not live for art’s sake, but must live for life’s sake. BALLETS. Miss Phyllis Oliver’s studio, 73 marks 1 Miss Peggy Welch’s studio, 70 marks 2 DANCE DUO, 9-12. Heather Elgie and Peggy Caldwell, Wellington, 7Spts. ■•• • ; • 1 Judy Lewis and Diana Williams Elliot, Hutt, 73pts. 2 Very highly commended: Joy Brown and Ze Ida Corkhill. Valeska Jenkins and Joyce Knightson. Highly commended: Ngaire Keys and Valerie Parker, Louis Humphries and Erroll Wood. Myra Eberhardt and Pauline Crawford, Douglas and Harry Forster. Phyllis Spierling and Marjorie Lee. SONG IN CHARACTER, boy or girl, 9-12. own selection. Bryce Glennie. Hutt, 90 pts., and Kathleen Stevenson, Wellington, 90pts„ equal 1 SONG IN CHARACTER, boy or girl under 9. Own selection. Melva Doney. Wellington. 85, pts, . . 1 Marie Walker. Wellington. 84 pts. . . 2 Constance Chalk was also recalled. Highly commended: Beryl McMillan, Nona Hood. SCOTTISH FOLK SONG, ladies, any voice. Own selection. Miss Rae Bond, Wanganui, S 8 pts. .. 1 Miss Kathleen Chapple, Christchurch. 85 pts ,2 Miss Kathleen Sawyer was also recalled and gained 84 points. Highly commended: Miss Valerie Ashenden, Miss Katherine Baskette, Miss Eileen Gooding (Palmerston North). Commended: Miss Grace Gaudin. Miss Ella Gamble. Miss Mavis Chamberlain. SHAKESPEAREAN RECITAL, lady or gentleman, .under 21. Own. selection. Miss Nellie Henaghan, Dunedin. 82 pts 1 Miss Nathalie Pollock, Wellington. 79 pts 2 Highly commended; Miss Marjorie Hill. 1

Mr. Robert Cheyne, ( Miss . Monica . Bell, Miss Nola Hyde. ■ .. .. «■ RECITAL WITH MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT. gentlemen. Open class. Mr. W. S. Minehan, Wellington, 9opts. • • ••••••••••••••••• • •I’ • Mr. Robert Cheyne, Eastbourne, 89 pts. •* HUMOROUS RECITATION, ladies, Open class. Miss Grace Nixon, Christchurch, 80 pts. ■ • Miss Nellie Henaghan. Dunedin, <8 pts ■• • • H Very highly commended: Miss Joan Maunder. . ; ~ Highly commended Miss Monica Beu. Miss Gracie Kerr, Miss Betty Manley. Mr. Bailey remarked upon the tendency to alter the purity of the vowel sounds'in this class of work. With tha lip manipulation lapses had occurred ana the English had been corrupted. HUMOROUS CHARACTER SKETCH, lady or gentleman. Open class. Miss Gracie Kerr, Wellington, 105 pts. 1 Mr. Lawrence Searle. Wellington, 101 pts 2 Very highly commended: Miss Grace Nixon (Christchurch). Highly commended: Miss Valerie Ashenden. _ ■RECITATION, ladies, “The House Beaiitifm’ (Stevenson). Miss Nellie Henaghan, Dunedin, 81 points . .... , 1 Miss Grace Nixon, Christchurch, 80 points 2 VOCAL SOLO, NEGRO SPIRITUALS, ladies, any voice, own selection. Miss Kathleen Chapple, Christchurch, 88pts. ...i......... 1 Miss Edna Coulson, Wellington, Slptss 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS. The following is the position of the championships:— Vocal—Ladies: Mrs. Bertha Fettes, Khandallah. Men: No competitor secured the necessary points to win the championship. Elocution —Men: Mr.’"Robert Cheyne, Girls: Miss Cohrtance Kelly, Northland. ? . . 7:?- ■. ■ Piano: Miss Elsie Phillips, 12 points out of 20. ' Dancing: Thelma Bgrtholomew,, Wellington, 16f points out of 25. ' ' 7 Brabin diamond ring, ladies’ aggregate, vocal: Miss Rae Bond, Wanganui. Dancing aggregate, five classes, Brice and Brice Cup: Miss Thelma Bartholomew. ' ? Nimmo Shield, men’s aggregate over seven classes: Mr. Ray Trowern and Mr. J. E. Davies, Dunedin, 568 marks, equal 1. ( Work of Officials. . All of the judges .at the conclusion expressed their thanks to the committee of the executive for he attentions and courtesy shown them, to the stage mangers, and other officials, and also to Mr. Clement Howe, the official accompanist. Dr. Jenkins emphasised how much the judges and the competitors owned to Mr. Howe’s able services. 7 ■ ; : 77 FESTIVAL JOTTINGS There were 140 entries accepted after the programme was made up and time schedule prepared, and it was largely the inclusion of these extra entries which necessitated a good deal of the recasting of the programme this week. Joan Raine, who was leading by four points in the aggregate for the Brice and Brice Cup up. to Thursday, was unable to appear in ner class on that day owing to indisposition, and thus lost her chance of gaining the trophy. \ . One of the tunes played tor the dancing classes was used so often that Miss McDonald complained that it was running through her brain morning, noon, and night, and she had been unable to get it out of her head. She appealed to teachers to try and break some new groiind for dance music. Dr. Cyril Jenkins has conserited to conduct the Technical College Choir at the demonstration concert - this evening. The choir will sing one of Dr. Jenkins’s-own compositions, “Fairyland,” and will number about 40 voices. All members of Technical College choirs are to’assemble at the Town Hall at 10 o’clock this morning for a rehearsal. _ ■ Mrs. Bailey, who Las been judging some of the elocution classes, has drawn attention to some of the bad pronunciation ot common words, the list including the following examples:—Captuv for. japtive; soalt for salt; tra-ul for trail; horruble for horrible; fantcy for fancy; - sore for saw; libery for library; pa-ark for park; for beautiful; wissuls ' for whistles; grow-an for grown; and ber-lnd for blood. There are many others. In expressing his pleasure that boys had done so well in the pianoforte classes, Mr. Vernon Griffiths said it had been brought home to him how important to young students wer, the questions of touch and tone. It was as important for the pianist to have a good variety of touch as for the singer to have a welltrained voice, as without it the player could not realise his or her intentions. As described in books the terms were too bewildering and technical for the young pupil, but if a person was musically minded touch and tone came automatically to a large extent. When candidates were choosing their own selections, they should choose pieces within their tech- s nical ability, which gave them scope for expression and balance, and for which they had a personal liking and affection. One of the judges yesterday morning forgot that he had early classes, and at 10 a.m. was still injbed while the competitors in the class were waiting at the hall. In the meantime some of the officials organised a community 'sing, one occupying the judge’s seat, while Mr. Clement Howe, the official pianist, also entered into the spirit of the thing and played the accompaniments. Thi#s went merrily, and then a little rehearsal took- place. Some of the competitors went on the stage, and ns the judge entered the hall they sang the ditty — “Good morning, dear doctor,” “Good morning to you,” “Good morning, dear doctor, “We’re pleased to see you.” The judge smiled, returned the good morning, apologised, and promptly proceeded to his duties, all in good humour. Miss G. Sterling, who shared with her partner. Miss Nathalie Pollock, the honour of first place in the Massical dialogue yesterday, whs deputising, 1 at very short notice, for Miss B. Hungerford, who was unfortunately taken ill. In the circumstances Miss Sterling’s performance was exceptionally meritorious.