BAND OF HOPE

Evening Star, Issue 16263, 4 November 1916, Page 5

BAND OF HOPE

ANNUAL COMPETITIONS. The annual competition of the Band of Hope Union were concluded in the V.M.C.A. Hall before a good withering. The Rev. R. Eaine presided, and the proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem and prayer. The Chairman stated how he was to be associated with an institution so worthy and hopeful. He himself had never spent a. penny over spirits in his life, and to God he ascribed the praise. Reference was made io the first municii.al poster against alcoholism in the United States, placed by the authority of the mayor and park commissioners in" all parks and public buildings. An outstanding icaturc of last night's programme was Miss Owen's recital of •Queen Catherine's Defence,' from 'Henry —Elocution.— Following are the results: Grade 3, boys 10 and 14 yearn—< On We M:rch.' David Thomson (Roslvn. 73 points) 1, James Thomas (King street, 70 points) 2, Melton Oauldwell (Kin:' stie-t 67 point?) 3. _TTkj judge (Miss Owen) made a. mistake in the announcement of the result of this competition, due to an error of addition. Th.) judge had diflicultv in separating the competitors. There was a. noticeable sing-song right Ihioiiiihotit, but this was the fault of the piece rather than of the competitors. Grade. 2, girls 8 and 9 years—'Mv Creed '.—Claire Scherp (Roslvn, 71 points) 1, Madge Yates (Lcith street. 70 points) 2, Mavis Masterton (Roslvn, 65 points) 3. Ihe judge said there had been very close competition in this piece. They all bad done well. 'The winner's performance was tho best yet. Tho second bad beautiful tone, but her pronunciation was not so gooa. —Reading at Sight.— Boys. 15 years and tinder, open—Psalm lxv.—James Thomas (Kimr street, 56 points) 1, David Thomson (Roslyii, 53 points) 2, Arnold Hilliker (Hanover'street, 48 points) 3. Miss Owen said that this was. without exception, the most disappointing section in the whole of the competitions. She had expected a great deal more from the boys. The piece was essentially a, psalm of joy, but it was read by the boys with long faces right through, and without light and shade. The pronunciation was simply shocking. The winner pulled up at the finish, and as a result did better than the others. —Singing.— Grade 1, girls, seven years and under—- ' Come to Jesus.'—R. Oauldwell (King street, 69 points) 1, Mavis Johnston (King street. 68 points) 2, 'May Sinclair (Roslvn) 62 points) 3. Mr Desmoulins stated that ho bad been very pleased with this performance right through. The children had all -tuneful'little voices, and were■ vonnice to listen to. The winner made the audience feel that she had a. message to give, and they, listened to it. Her interpretation of the piece was good, and her enunciation was perfect. Grade 5, girls,. 14 and 15 years—'l Know That My Redeemer Liveth?—Lorna. Abernethy (King Street, 73 points) 1, Daphne Stokes (Trinity, 71 points) 2, Mollie Oauldwell (King Street, 69 points) 3, Tho judge said that the competitors had the chance of a lifetime, and there was plenty of room for originality, but they let 'the opportunity slip. "~ The winner showed a nice devotional spirit, and her enunciation was very good. The second competitor made an" excellent start, but bad phrasing spoilt tho effect. Grade 2, duet, girls, 12 to 16 years—- ' While the Days Are Going By.—Sylvia Marcella and Maggie Coulter" (Hanover Street, 71 points) I, Doris Zaffer and Isa Duff (Trinity, 70 points) 2, Lorna Abernetby and Mollie Oauldwell (King Street, 67 points) 3. The judge? said that the winners gave a fine interpretation, with a good variation of tone. Their voices blended splendidly. Trinity win the shield, with King Street second.