THE COMPETITIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 14688, 4 October 1911, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS.

Mr W. L. Paine, adjudicator on the elocutionary work at the recent competitions. has 'forwarded the following report to Mr E. H. Wilson (secretary of the society) : -- Now that my labors are ended, a word or two in connection with the elocutionary work of the past fortnight may not be out of place. The main feature cf these Competitions is educational, and while competitors enter the lists with the idea of improvement much pood must exist. In the first place I would congratulate the committee on the choice of selections. In one or two instances, perhaps, the items were not attractive as “platform pieces,” but in every ease much thought was required, and students fomid themselves face to face with many difficulties in the way of conception and interpretation. On these matters I have had occasion to speak to competitors. There were cases where one failed to perceive that minute attention to the understanding of tho author's moaning that is so necessary as a factor cf suecess, while in many instances there was weakness in the matter of interpretation. In this important feature of the work competitors have not done themselves justice. They have natural ability, and many arc blessed with a fine quality of voice, but that organ has not been satisfactorily developed; very little attention appears to be given to its proper training, without which speakers and reciters find themselves unable to succeed in the matter of successful interpretation. Then, there are instances where the young people, are much 100 restricted. apparently cramped and confined by a rigid attention to rules of their art. These rules, of course, it is necessary to study and master, but I would -urge the young people to apply their theory on much broader lines, and with a greater confidence in the knowledge of their own power. In dealing with the individual work of competitors, I have endeavored to point out defects and shortcomings in such a way as to tender my criticisms helpful. There is always " success in honest endeavor.” for to strive at all menus a certain achievement over indolence and indifference, and while, competitors enter into friendly rivalry with one another—striving by study and practice to excel in the various branches of the arf, seeking to derive some improvement from the preparation of the different subjects, realising there is something nobler than the. mere winning of a prize—then the educational influence of these contests will Ik* felt. The study of the fine, arts must ever tend towards tho refinement of the, individual, and the desire to succeed acts as a stimulus to the young mind, and many prone to bo apathetic become energetic and proficient.. There is a danger of the work Incoming superficial, but if students are encouraged to study the works of classical authors, and taught to realise that every line, to be properly expressed, must, he thoroughly understood, then much benefit will, be derived, Elocution is not, confined to the mere exercise of the organs of speech—it should prove itself to be an outward evidence of the mental faculties and the potent mains by which the soul of discourse is laid bare. Its proper study refines the taste, strengthens the understanding, and fills .the mind with lofty ideals. Students who would succeed must have intuitive perception of tiro language to he expressed, exercise taste and judgment in 1 lie exposition of its meaning, and be keenly alive to the feelings and emotions of the sentiment and thoroughly imbued with the spirit of enthusiasm. This demands the cultivation of the intellect, whereby proficiency of comprehension and imagination is attested and the, power of memory exercised and improved : and when with these w« combine the accomplishment; which are embodied in tho •propriety, force, and elegance of delivery, wo present that association of Nature and Art which lends interest by coloring, delights by ornamentation, and effectively appeals to the understanding and the heart.