THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 55, 2 September 1937, Page 15

THE COMPETITIONS

VOGAL SCHOLARSHIP

WELLINGTON WINNER

A HIGH STANDARD

"Evening Post" vocal scholarship for women was awarded last night to Miss Eunice T. Standen, of Berhampore, after she and three other recallea competitors from a class of 30 had sung in the final contest at the Town Hall variety show of the Wellington Competitions Society.

The other recalled singers were Miss Audrey Holdgate (Timaru), Miss Daisy Perry (Christchurch), and Mrs. Joan Wood. (Kelburn). The judge, Mr. John T. Leech, expressed himself .as: being highly delighted with the standard.of singing attained by competitors, and some indication of the equality in excellence of the four finalists was the fact that he recalled four, instead of only the two he was supposed tP have brought back. . . An unexpected item on last night's programme in the Town Hall was provided by the society's president, .Mr. E. Ransom Myers, and the judge of the magic class, Mr. C. A. Forrest, when the final competitor in the class of "fifteen minutes of magic" was unavoidably prevented from attending. Mr. Forrest's manipulation of a pack of cards showed that his ability to judge magicians was based upon a personal ability .in the art. Mr. Myers, despite, his lack of previous experience, wag an admirable assistant magician, and he in turn found assistance from an imperturbable gentleman whose proximity to the stage and alacrity in responding to the chief magician's in-, yitation for "anyone in the audienpe" '■ brought him into the deep suspicion of the onlookers.; Altogether it was a refreshingly original performance by all three. .

, The principal attraction in the Concert Chamber last night was the class for. Begg's New Zealand piano championship, open to amateurs and professionals, for which the prize is a piano donated by Charles Begg, and Co. There were three recalls, Miss Jocelyn Walker (Wellington), Miss M. Garrett (Feilding), \ and Mr. • Peter Cooper (Christchurch), who will play in the final in the Town Hall tonight.

ADDRESS BY JUDGE.

Professor Maxwell Walker, of Auck-

land, judge of the elocution classes, reviewed the work of competitors in the Blue Triangle Hall yesterday afternoon, when all the elocution classes had been completed.

He had enjoyed listening to the items that had been submitted, he said, and it was an inspiration to him as one interested in elocution to find the interest taken in it at the Wellington" Competitions. The work was !good on the average. He had had to criticise certain faults of rhythm'and monotony of phrasing, but, after all, it was a great thing to see young people trying to improve themselves in the usfe'of the English language. Here in New Zealand there was a good average of speech,, and it could be materially improved by the competitions that were being held. The judge was of the opinion that many competitors were not doing themselves justice because they were not using items suited to themselves. Child--1 ren, who had not passed through the storms and travail of life could not have the emotions of men and women. Another point he emphasised was that women should be women and men men, and women should not 'aim at doing pieces suitable .to men. . During the competitions he had heard several ladies impersonate ■ men's characters. They were straining their voices and probably doing damage. Remarking that speech had been defined as the greatest miracle of creation, Professor.- Walker .said/ the voice was a wonderxal instrument for t the interpretation' of the masterpieces of literatuie, and *t demanded cultivation iust as much, as the playing of a musical instrument did. The first necessity was audibility, which was dependent not upon loudncss but on distinctness oi utterance. Distinctness of utterance, in turn, was dependent on various factors —enunciation, pronunciation, inflexion, pitch, and phrasing. Deportment especially at the entrance, and the necessity for waiting for silence from the audience, were discussed by Professor Walker, who said that competitors should express their own individuality and .not bo slavish copyists. In conclusion, he emphasised the necessity for work, telling the competitors , that ( they must not look for easy success,'but must be prepared to strive and develop the gifts o£ Nature.

LIST OF PLAGINGS

Classes decided last night and yesterday afternoon'resulted as follows:— "Evening Post? Vocal Scholarship for Women, over 18 years, set pieces and own selection. (39 entries.) Miss Eunice W. Standen. (Berhampore), 178 ! Mrs. Joan Wood (Kelburn), 177 .... 2 Miss Audrey Holdgate.(Timaru), 175 3 Very highly commended: Miss Daisy Perry (Christchurch), 174; Miss Kathleen Chappie (Christchurch), Miss Noni Coleman (Hastings), Miss Noni Moore (Nelson). "This was a very fine class," said Mr. Leech. "A high standard was reached by almost every competitor. The sopranos had as their set piece 'Have You Seen but a White, Lily Grow?' Its'foundation is built upon an atmosphere of repose and quietness. To retain that quietness and build up in delicate gradation in a true bel canto was the pitfall which engulfed the unwary. The mezzos sang 'Cradle Song' and nearly all created the atmosphere of motherly love and adoration m the poem. - The contraltos found 'Yesterday and Today' a hurdle that to some was • difficult to clear, 4he reflective mood in retrospect t proving a difficulty. The second part—'Today — found the convincing allegro more to the liking of most contraltos, and it received brilliant and compelling treatment. The four recalled competitors all sang with vision, musicianly skill, and dictional yur'ity above the average, and they possess adequate vocal equipment. Their performances were all fine ones, and only by keeping a watchful eye on the finer details could a 'division be made." '.■'■•; .

Hen's Vocal Solo, New Zealand Composer, own selection (20 entries).— Mri <~Len Kerr (New Plymouth), "Waiata Maori," 89, 1; Mr. J. O. Bonifant '(Lower Hutt), "Four Leaf Clover," 88, 2; Mr. Linton H. Eskrigge (Miramar), '.IKa Mate Ka Mate," 87, 3. ; "A fair class," said Mr. Leech. "The compositions: were good, but the treatment of the songs in the main was not up to standard. Maori pronunciations were at fault in some instances and faltering in some place or other resulted in just fair: renderings. The winner gave a virile interpretation of '.Waiata • Maori.' The competitor in second place sang very prettily, investing the poem with effective word stress."

Women's Vocal Solo, New Zealand Composer, own selection (40 entries.) —Mrs. J. A. Wiltshire (Miramar), "Waiata Maori," 90, 1; Miss Audrey Holdgate (Timaru), "Hinemoa's Song," 89, 2; Miss Eileen Courtenay (Wellington), "Alas That Spring Should Vanish," 88, 3. Very highly commended: Miss "Muriel Hitchings (Kilbirnie), Mrs. Joan Wood (Kelburn).

"A section with a very high standard," commented Mr. Leech. "Some of: the songs were -only fragments, bul;

they were delightfully sung, and others bristled with ,difficulties. The winner sang 'Waiata Maori,' changing the scenes and characters cleverly, and her big fine voice was adequate for the stirring song. The second sang 'Hinemoa's Song' delightfully With gradations' of tone and calm repose. This young lady is musicianly and cultured." . . . Fifteen Minutes of Magic (4 entries). —Mr E. Sproule (Wellington), 92, 1; Mr. Robert H. Leith (Wellington), 84, 2

"The general level of performances was very good," said Mr. Forrest. "Two performers displayed good showmanship, the winner being exceptionally good and providing an excellent stage setting. He also undertook practically all new effects, and produced a clever finish, good enough for any platform. The competitor placed second" gave cigarette production effects quite up to professional standards, but lost points in his paper-tear-ing trick. Magic is an entertaining and interesting class of work which I would like to see more young men taKe Picture Story Ballet, Mrs. Barton Ginger's Cup ■(3 entries) .-The Jeap Home School of Dancing (Wellington), "The Intruder," 87, 1; Joan Rame School of Dancing (Wellington), Harlequinade," 78, 2. Very .highly commended: Miss Marjorie Newport's School of Dancing (Wellington), "Ballet Girls' Dream." "This is one of the.most interesting classes held during the festival and I would have enjoyed adjudicating on a number of ballets instead of on only the three very delightful ones presented," said Miss Gibbs.' "The winning ballet was charming, with a story well carried out." Toe Dance, 12-11 (15 entries).— Ngaire Bynam, (Lower Hutt), 11, 1;, Shirley Scott (Brooklyn), 75, 2. Very highly commended: Kathleen Caldwell (Petone). Highly rommended: Joy P. Brown (Lyall Bay). , Commended: Peggy Sager' (Te Awamutu). The two recalls in this class both had excellent interpretative sense, ' said Miss Gibbs. The competitor placed second did not dance nearly so well upon recall at night and appeared very nervous. The winner should do very well if she concentrated on operatic work and acquired mor^ technique. Dance Duo, 12-16 years (9 entries).— Valeska Jenkins .and Joan Tandy (Kilbirnie), "Spectra de la Rose," 77, 1; Joan Clements arid Freda Harris (Wellington), "Coquette and Columbine," 75, 2. Very highly commended: Joy P. Brown and Joyce Knighton (Wellington). ..■■■",■■■;.',,

Miss Gibbs remarked that the winners gave a very charming performance. . ;■

I Character Dancu 6-8 years (34 cn T ■tries).—Zelda Tuwey (Petone), "Sleeping Beauty," and Arhol Bircham (Brooklyn), "Russian," each 74, equal, 1. Very highly commended: Pam Connolly (Brooklyn), Joan Mason (Vogeltown), Patricia Knighton (Karori). Highly commended; Valeric Jones (Karori); Allan Van (Newtown).; Commended: June Scott (Brooklyn).

"It was a mixed class," said Miss Gibbs. "The competitors who tied gave very different dances. Zclda Turvey's 'Sleeping Beauty' was more of a character story dance, but she gained high marks for mime. Arnol Bircham's Russian dance was a very spirited performance, although I consider this type of work too heavy for such* young competitors and would suggest it be ruled out of uridcr-12 classes."

Girls' Humorous Recitation, 12-16 years, own selection (24 entries).—Joan Flack (Rongotai), "Keeping a Seat," 74, 1; Joan Kay wood (Kelburn), "At the Photographer's," 73, 2; Thea Smith (Lower Hutt), "On the Beach," 72, 3.

"The performers 'were handicapped by their selections, and the class therefore was not a strong one," remarked Professor Walker. "Girls should not try to impersonate men and women but should choose items which are suitable to their ',wn dainty little selves." • .

Eccentric Dance, open claw (4 entries).— Ralph Wilkin t(Wellington), 73, 1.

"A very poor class," remarked Miss Gibbs, "but the placed competitor had an excellent comedy sense and gave a good burlesque performance.." Begg's NmV Zealand Piano Championship, .amateurs and professionals, "Papillons," by M. Rosenthal, and own selection. —Recalls: Mr. Peter Cooper ;(Christchurch), "Scherzo in B Minor, Opus 20" (Chopin); Miss Jocelyn Walker (Wellington), "Fantasie Impromptu" (Chopin); Miss M. Garrett (Fcilding), "Etude No. 3 D Flat Major" (Liszt).

This'wa's a most' brilliant class in which judging wa>, very difficult, said the judge, Mr.- Max Scher'ek. The standard was extraordinarily high in every, instance.