THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 67, 17 September 1923, Page 2

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

FINAL DEMONSTRATION

The sixth annual festival of the Wellington Competitions Society came to a close at the Town Hall on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance at both the afternoon' and evening sessions, and the performances were of the highest merit. "■• ■ ■

At the demonstration in the evening, , air. E. Palliser, president, said although this year there had been an increase of 675 in the number of entries, it was felt that a successful achievement could only be accomplished by the wholehearted co-operation of the members of the executive. He was extremely proud to have been-associated with those who had carried through the festival in the manner m which they had done. In thanking their vocal adjudicator, he thought he was safe in saying that no visitor had met with such a warm reception as had been accorded to Mr Roland Foster. The advice that gentleman had given had been accepted in a very fine spirit. Mr. Foster carried away with him the goodwill not only of the society and the competitors, but also of the music-lovinrr public of Weldeal to further the cause of vocal music m, our ,midsfc- Mr. Palliser then thanked in the warmest terms; all those who had assisted in making the competitions ' a success. He referred in appreciative term? to the donors of gifts and prizes. By this means and the liberal patronage of the public, it was,anticipated that two pr three more scholarships would be added to the list. He also thanked the Press for the publicity winch had been given to the festival. • ihe Mayor, Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., said he was sure .that he spoke on behalf of the people of Wellington when ha said they were deeply grateful to the executive for the successful manner in which the competitions had been carried out during the past three ,weeks. Unly enthusiasts could have done what had been achieved. The festival had been an undoubted success. He spoke in complimentary terms of the work of the adjudicators, and assured the unsuccessful candidates that although they might be disappbinted, still they had materially helped, to make the competitions successful.' The festival hadshown that in New Zealand we had a great deal of latent talent. "-; THE JUDGES' APPRECIATIVE .COMMENTS, < :.- , Mr. Roland Foster, of the New South Wales State Conservatorium. of Music, who acted as judge of the .singing, remarked,- that the three weeks he ; tad-spent.iri Wellington had been three Dl tho pleasanteat of his, life, and hft would always look back upon the visit with feelings of pleasure arid appreciation. The amount of talent which had j been revealed by the competitors in the vocal numbers had been quite remark* I able. He bore testimony to the smooth and efficient working of the competitions, and to the excellence of the arrangements. ' As to the. lady competitors, he wanted to', pay a tribute 1 to their very consistent and admirable vocal work, and he had been surprised to learn that a great deal of that highly creditable work had been accomplished with only a limited amount of actual taming. That was powerful' testimony to tfio natural ability of the competitors/- Mr. Foster then mentioned a number of the competitors of outstanding merit. .■! Those to whom he wished to refer .were Miss .Violet jßeith, who, had a fine voihe-»nd used, it very well; l\\ ss "Evans and Mrs.. Watson j Miss Hilda. Nicholls, whose-voice was of unusual beauty ;■ Miss. Myra\ Qlegg^ ■ a bright, intelligent young lady who won Si ci? f *■}?. vocal sotolarghips; Miss Phyljis Gnbben, a highly cultivated" contralto; Miss Belle M'Lean, Wangauni, who did very good work; and Miss Margaret Allomes... Among the younger competitors, under 21, was the winner of the junior scholarship, who had a voice of remarkably, fine quality—Miss XV ellie Amies; while another young lady of whom they might expect to hear something ih the future,- and who had a charming voice.and on attractive manner, was Miss Ruth Scott: One of the most^ competent and reliable performers heard-during the course of these concerts was Miss Maud Elderton, and there was Miss Marjorie Nelson' and many others. Amongst the ge,itlem B n the championship and the prize for the j-highest had fallen jnto the hands of one who most highly deserved them, and who had- distinguished, himselt throughout the competitions by the amount of mentality he haij put into his work. If there was anything he liked to see in addition to vocal ability it was brains and musicianship. Several possessed these in high degree, but thq place of honour was occupied by Mr. James Taylor.. Close to him was a Christchurch visitor, a most consistent and artistic performer, Mr. A Thompson Mr. Bishop alsovdid good work, whilst among the local talent there were some, who deserved special Phipps There, was also the gentleman who won the scholarship and thoroughly deserved ii, Mr. L. promising singer. These scholarships had all fallen into .very worthy hands, m \ Il Oped the TeeiPients would pro*h y n?T. oPP°. rtu"% provided for thetn. Others giving promise for tli3 future were Messrs Claude Moss, A. J Hmes and Irving Jones. In conclusion he thanked the officials for their uniform- courtesy and the people of Wellington for the welcome they had extended to his wife and himself. Miss.Bpdley, of Hamilton,'the jud K e of dancing, remarked that although sha had adjudicated in quite a number of' dancing contests in England, this .was her first experience in that capacity in New Zealand. Although in some sections more study in technique was desirable, still there was a great deal of talent amongst the performers. There 'Were some promising pupils who should go far with further study, and it had given her much pleasure to awurd the I prises."

Mr.'Palliser said there were seven championship medals to be presented It was a condition that winners of championships must gain 70 per cent or more of marks. In two classes championship medals had not been given because of the failure of the competitors to attain the .requisite numh'er of marks. | In each instance, however seven of-the performers came very near the championship-standard.