EVENING SESSION

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 38, 15 February 1919, Page 9

EVENING SESSION

FINAL RESULTS IN SEVERAL

CLASSES.

The evening sessions -were opened by a bright children's play, "The Ladies' Academy,"; in which Pearl Jacobs, Lottie Harris, Ida Nicholson, Leah Hyman, Leonie Sutton, Isabel Lithgow, Helen East, Annie Flan, Mollie M'Whannell, Ada Thompson took part. The children acquitted themselves quite well, two, as a couple of young harum-scarums, were particularly bright. One of Edward MacDowell's delightful studies,, "Told at Sunset," from "Woodland Sketches," was the pianoforte test for juniors, 13 and under 16' years of age. Each of the three young players was complimented by the judge, Mr. Harold Gregson, but he said that, he had been a little disappointed with the performances of the other competitors, who showed a good deaL of carelessness and struck false notes, as they had apparently done since commencing the study of the piece. The three players who appeared in the final also appeared to have an idea of the "story" of the piece. Miss Pearl Jacobs, Wellington, said Mr. Gregson, gave quite the most musical reading, and played with nice tajent and poetic treatment. She was. placed first, with 136 points. Miss Constance K. Dowling, Wellington, who showed that she had temperament and ability, was placed second with 131 points, and Miss May F. Talbot, Kelbum, third, with 128 points. ,

c^ r*e y<"ung ladies, Miss Mona Castle Wei ington), Miss V. Marion Newman Wellington), and Miss Cecily Audibest (Christchurch), were recalled in order that a final decision might be reached ih Class 42, girls' song, 16 and under 21 years, test" "A String of Pearls." Mr. Gregson said that the' section had been a very enjoyable one, and had revealed some quite nice voices. He was very much impressed by the performances given in the final, and he also wished *° highly commend Miss Mabel S. Dyer (Christchurch). Miss Audibest sang with good phrasing. She was placed first, with 145 points; Miss Newman, second, with 143 points, and Miss Castle third, 140 points. ■ Both the latter singers sang with very good expression, but Miss Newman's singing was marred by a nasal intonation, and Miss Castle's phrasing was a little too slow. The final of the recitation test:. "The Cane-Bottomed Cair" (Thackerey) for gentlemen who had not won a first prize at any competition, was contested by three Wellington gentlerhen—Messrs. L. F. Inch, E. C. Smyth, and R. A. V. Oswin.

Mr. isaid that possibly the piece i^as a little beyond the capacity of a number of entrants, who did not bring out the infinite charm and delightful humour of the poem. The results were:—Mr. Inch, 148 points, first; Mr. Smyth, 144 points, second: and Mr. Oswin, 143 points, third. Tha chief fault throughout has been that emphases had been, given unimportant words. Neither Mr. Smyth nor Mr. Oswin did as well in the finale as they had in the preliminary competition. * The brightness and dash of the Highland fling, for boy or girl. 12 and under 16 years, pleased the audience mightily. The dancers received a very warm welcome, and were roundly applauded as they left the stage. '

Results:—Miss Doreen M'Clatchy (Newtown), 95 points, 1; Miss Annie Currie (Wellington), SO points, 2; Miss Rita Hands (Kilbirnie), 88 points, 3; and Miss Elsie M. Burns, 80 points, 4. The final of the soprano or mezzo-so-prano solo was contested by Mrs. Austin Henderson, Lower Hutt ("Two Roses"), Mrs. Myrtle Haywood, Wellington ("A Summer Night"), and Miss May Pickett, Brooklyn ("Lovers in the

Lane"). Mr. Gregson said he was rather disappointed in the small number of competitors who turned up to take part. Mrs. Haywood was. placed first with 146 points, Miss Pickett second with 135 points,. and Mrs. Henderson third with 132 points.

"Sherwood" (Alfred Noyes) was the test set for the recitation for ladies, 16 and under 21 years. Four recalls were made . when the preliminary judgment was given. Mr. Montague said that he had had considerable difficulty in arriving at a decision, as each performer jast evening gave a very excellent performance. Two, however, stood -out from the others. Miss Hazel F. Jeffrey, Hataitai, gained first place, with 155 points. Miss Fanny Kutner, Wellington, 152 points, and Miss Doris Stevens, Wellington, 146 points. Miss Edith M. Sulivan, Wellington was highly commended for her performance. But two recalls were made from the four competitors in Class 24, baritone solo, "The Blind Ploughman." Mr. William B. Brittensen, Christchurch, was awarded 133 points, arid Mr. R. Horsley, Wanganui, 120 points. The concluding item cf a thoroughly pleasing and entertaining evening, was another of the series of comedietta* played by Miss Sylvia Udy, Mr. L. Inch, Mr. V. Evan's, Mr. 0. Zorn, and Mr. C. G. Kirk.