SACRED SOLO

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 11

SACRED SOLO

Miss D. Bennell Wins Ladies’ Class

COMPETITION AWARDS Winner of Ten Minutes’ Magic Out of the 42 who entered for the lady’s sacred solo, one of the largest classes at the Wellington Competitions Society’s festival, Miss Doreen Bennell, Wellington, was judged the winner. Miss Bennell sang “With Verdure Clad.” Mrs. Edith Wiltshire, of Wellington, who sang “He was Despised,’ was placed second. Mr. Walter Bentley, Newtown, was judged the best of the four who entered for the negro spiritual, singing “I Got a Robe.” Very large entries in the classes for children’s fancy dancing and national dancing and for reciting were judged, and at the evening concert the impromptu debate was held. Also at the evening concert was the last of the magicians, and the judge announced his awards. The first prize went to Mr. S. V. Middleton, who appeared last Monday night. Mr. Denis Dowling made his final appearance at the concert last night before leaving for England to continue his vocal studies. His reception by the audience was as enthusiastic as the previous night. He sang “Vile Race of Courtiers” from “Rigoletto’ 1 and “The Border Ballad,” a general opinion being that those selections displayed his capabilities even better than the pieces he sang on Thursday r.ight. The programme had all the attractiveness and variety of the previous ones. Moro Arias Heard. The four competitors in the “The Dominion” grand opera contest who appeared last night were Miss Joyce A. Wilkinson, of Christchurch,’ who sang “Ritorna Vincitor,” Miss Daphne Ebbett, of Palmerston North, who sang “Softly Awakes My Heart,” Miss Dulcie McKinley, Wellington, who sang “Visi D’Arte,” and Miss Nita Ingley, Masterton, who sang “One Fine Day” trom “Madame Butterfly.” To-night there will appear Mr. J. N. ■Goodson, Kelburn, who will sing “O Vision Fugitive” from “Herodiad”; Miss Roma McClure, Feilding, who will sing “Che Faro"; Miss Joyce Myers, Wellington, who will sing “0 Luce du quest anima”; and Mr. Gerald Peters. Cambridge, whose selection is "Belle Siccome un Angelo” from “Don Pasquale.” Concerts and Judging To-day. A children’s demonstration matinee wlli be held at the ’Town Hall this afternoon. On the programme are a. selection of the winners of children’s classes judged during the week. Commencing at 2 o’clock, there will be three hours of bright entertainment, about 40 items being presented in rapid succession. Many of the performers are ones for whose work - the judges have expressed enthusiasm, and, grouped together, they form an attractive bill. The names of 'the performers, who are required to be present at the beginning, of the ’concert, are advertised this morning. It was announced last night that Mr. H. Liardet, judge of the magic, would contribute to to-night’s concert. Mr. Liardet has for many years beenprominent in the magic art in Wellington, and his offering is certain to be of a high order. A very unusual item on the programme will be the final . of the radio songs, ladies and gentlemen Two in each class are recalled. They will sing at 2YA and their voices will be reproduced by means of a receiver in the Town Hall, where the judge will sit and hear them with the audience. The programme will include such varied and interesting items as a church choir, classical dialogue, two ballets songs, dances and an oration, while there will be four more entrants in “The Dominion” grand opera contest. To-day’s Classes. The following classes will be judged to-day, commencing at 9 a.m.:—Town Hall: Skipping dance, 14-16 years; toe dance, 12-14 years. Concert Chamber : Action song, 12-16 years; violin solo, 12-16 years; Welsh song, ladies; vocal solo (Wellington Competitions Society’s scholarship), ladies. Blue Triangle Hall: Recitation (Wellington Competitions Society’s scholarship), lady or gentleman; recitation in character, not humorous, girls 12-16 years; recitation, girls 14-16 years. The humorous recitation in character, boys, 12-16 years, and the reading at sight, boys under 16 years, have been postponed until next Thursday when they will be taken in the Blue Triangle Hall. List of Awards. Awards announced yesterday are as follow: — SACRED SOLO, ladies. Own selection. (42 entries.) Miss Doreen Bennell. Wellington, 89 pts 1 Mrs. Edith Wiltshire, Wellington, 88 pts 2 Very highly commended: Mrs. Gordon Morrow, Christchurch. Highly commended: Miss Eileen Courtenay. Wellington; Miss Kathleen Bond, Christchurch; Miss Dulcie McKinley; Wellington; Mrs. W. M. Webster, Heretauuga; Mrs. Rosalie M. Trott, Wellington. - Commended: Mrs. Richard Bradley, Upper Hutt; Miss Joyce Wilkinson, Christchurch; Mrs. Alma Cowie, Wellington; Miss Bettie McClellan, Wellington. In commenting on the. work of this class, the judge, Mr. T. Vernon Griffiths, said that although many of the candidates had fine, natural tonal quality, a careful revision of the method of produc- . tion was necessary. He quoted authorities to emphasise that, except in very unusual circumstances, both vibrato and tremolo were anathema. _ Consequently there was an urgent need in the case of many candidates for serious consideration of the methods of breath, control. Another important consideration was that of diction, which in singing should conform to the normal English standard in vowel sounds. It was important to notice also that the quality of vowel sounds in singing should be the same as in good speech. Finally, in selecting a sacred solo it was important to choose works in which the text and the music had sincerity, and literary and musical significance. NEGRO SPIRITUAL, gentlemen. Owu selection. (Four entries.) Mr. Walter Bentley, Newtown, 90

pts 1 Mr. C. Franklyn-Browne. Wanganui, 88 pts 7. 2 Commended: Mr. Edward West, Christchurch. “There was a misunderstanding as to the significance of negro spirituals,” Mr. Griffiths said. “They are certainly not drawing-room songs, and equally certainly not meant to be sung in the same style as one might sing an operatic aria. They are songs of protest expressing abhorrence of conditions of subjection, and the hope that a future life may have something much more beautiful in store. The

work of the winner was quite in keeping with these principles.’’

BOYS’ SONG, under 12 years, (a) “Good-night, Pretty Stars”; (b) own selection. (Nine entries.) Desmond Dalton, Roseneath, 84 pts. 1 Graham White, Wellington, 83 pts. 2 Highly commended: Samuel Alpe, Martinborough. Commended: Pat McLean, Wellington; Joseph Lyons, Island Bay. "With boys of this age,” remarked the judge, “a light easy tone is an imperative requirement. It is a mistake to .attempt to obtain anything approaching the fullness of the adult male tone and particularly the fullness and quality of the adult female tone. What is required is a light tone, efficient breath control, good diction, and an adequate sense of rhythm. On these points the winner scored heavily.”

PIANO DUET, under 12 years. Own selection. (Seven entries.) Judith Kane and Nellie Casey, Hataitai, 83 pts. ............... 1 Highly commended: Hazel Thompson and Edna Covney, Wellington. Commended : Poppy Falconer and Clare Hogan, Wellington; Teresa Hughes and Eileen Conroy, Wellington. “A most varied selection was made by candidates in this class,” remarked, the judge, Mr. W. E. Fowler. "There was nothing outstanding. The winners’ piece was ‘Blumenlied’ (Lange), and I was sorry they had not selected a better piece than that. I thought that that piece was dead and buried thirty years ago, but so long as the committee give candidates their own choice the judge must give the prize to the best of the performers. I sincerely trust that next year there will be no ‘own choice’ allowed in the classes for piano duets, because in some cases this year a poor type was presented. Instead of the children practising trash, if set pieces were given they would be set something worthy of practice.” PIANO SOLO, 10-12 years, “Giga.” (42 entries.) Mercedes Wilson, Miramar, 86 pts. .. 1 Arma Alcorn, Ngaio, 83 pts ' 2 Commended : Shirley Simmonds, Newtown ; Merle L. Wilkens, Wellington; Joyce Eatwell, Paraparaumu; George Hughes, Paraparaumu; Margaret Minehan, Lower Hutt; Daphne Pratt. Petone.; Judith Kane, Hataitai; Bobbie Richardson, Wellington; Donald Ross, Wellington. Mr. Fowler said there was again nothing outstanding, all the players belonging to the “rank and file,” which was just the type of candidate every festival should encourage. In his opinion festivals were not for the born genius, but to encourage the rank and file, and therefore he considered the class a very valuable one. READING AT SIGHT, Girls 14-16 years (16 entries). Gracie Barnao, Island Bay, 70 pts. .. 1 Joyce Guyton, Berhampore, 69 pts. . 2 Commended: Edna Gorrie, Mangaroa. HUMOROUS RECITATION, Girls under 12 years; own selection (43 entries). Betty Campbell, Upper Hutt, 72 pts. 1 Betty Spiniey, Wellington, and Bettine Kerr, Wellington, 70 pts. ... 2 Highly commended: Beryl McMillan, Wellington; Betty Noble, Petone; Doreen Dickinson, Wellington; Margaret Wainwright, Miramar. RECITATION, Girls 12-14 years (restricted), “The Listeners” (44 entries). Gwendoline Pragnelf. Brooklyn, 72 pts - 1 Annette Dunbar-Sloane, Johnsonville, 71 pts 2 Highly commended: Beryl Eilers, Island Bay; Ngaire Carver, Hataitai; Mildred Turner, Lower Hutt. • SHAKESPEAREAN RECITATION, Ladies, open class, “Grief of Constance,” from “King John,” Act 3, Scene 3 (14 entries). Miss Freda Whittaker, Palmerston North, 77 pts. 1 Miss G,race Nixon, Christchurch, 74

pts 2 IRISH HORNPIPE, under 16 years (15

entries). Jean O'Connor, Wellington, 88. pts. 1 Mark Fisher, Brooklyn, 87 pts 2 Very highly commended: Rosina Smither. Wellington. Highly commended;.:- Gracie McKay, Wellington; Rangi Jessup, Wellington. "This was a delightful section, the winner giving a very pleasing performance,” said the nidge, Mrs. lan Cameron. -‘Some of .the competitors whose footwork was of a high standard spoilt the dance through interpretation.”

CLOG DANCE, 9-12 years. (27 entries.) Edna Whitelaw. Miramar, 75 pts. .. 1 Keith Major. Island Bay, 74 pts. .i.. 2 Very highly commended: June Hayes, Wellington.; Mark Fisher, Brooklyn. Highly commended: Thelma Hutchinson, Berhampore; Freda C. Harris, Wellington ; Betty Paynter. Wellington; Judy Cooper. Wellington; Ralph Wilkin, Wellington. Miss Irene Stone praised the work in the" class.

OPERATIC DANCE, 14-16 years, waltz time. (15 entries.) Shona Bennetts, Wellington, 75 pts. 1 Daphne Morrison, Dunedin, 73 pts. 2 Very highly commended: Loinah McKercher, Petone; Peggy Smyth, Wellington. Highly commended : Rita Guise, Lower Hutt;; Joan Mabin, Brooklyn, Miss Stone said that this was one of the best classes she had ever seen. The winner had done some very advanced work almost perfectly, and the winner of the second prize also had shown exceptional talent.

CHARACTER STORY DANCE, under 12 years. (25 entries.) Freda C. Harris, Wellington, 77 pts. . 1 Constance Chalk, Wellington, 72 pts. 2 Very highly commended: Eunice Adams, Lower Hutt; Melva Douey, Wellington.

Highly commended: Valerie Fitzgerald, Wellington; Ralph Wilkin, Wellington. Remarking that it was a class which had produced some interesting work, and that generally the competitors were very good. Miss Stone said that the winner bad given a wonderful interpretation of “On With the Motley.”

TAP DANCE, under 12 years. - (35 entries.) Mark Fisher. Brooklyn. 78 points 1 Tommy Petlierlck, Wellington. 77 points 2 Very highly commended: Karen Austin, Wellington. Commended: George Miller, Wellington; Beryl Richardson; Pat Peachy, Wellington.

TEN MINUTES OF MAGIC. (Six entries.) Mr. Stewart V. Middleton, Wellington, 80 points 1 Mr. W. J. Arcus, Khandallah, 78 points 2 Highly commended: Mr. K. Sproule, Wellington; Mr. R. Palamountain, Petone. In announcing his decision Mr. H. Liardet complimented the committee of the society on Introducing the item, which he thought had been a very popular one, Every performer had been good, but one, Mr. Palamountain. Petone, had' been unfortunate in that he had exceeded the time limit of 10 minutes by about 50 per cent., which had brought him down to a lower position than he would otherwise have occupied. Mr. Liardet recommended that if the class appeared on next year’s programme 15 minutes be allowed for each item. Mr. G. W. Perry. Wellington, received 75 points and Mr. D. W. Cole, Wellington. 70 points. IMPROMPTU DEBATE. (Two teams entered.) Messrs. J. Osborn and H. A. Levestam,

Wellington 1 The. other team that entered consisted of Messrs. B. Weyburn and F. M. Renner, of Lower Hutt. Each man debated with ills team-mate. The motion given by the Judge. Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, was “That the pen is mightier than the srVord.” Mr. Mazengarb said that his chief reason for giving the placed team its position was that it was slightly better balanced.