DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 18741, 17 September 1924, Page 7

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL FESTIVAL

OPENED. First Dai.-— Tuesday. The-twenty-third annual festival of tho Dunedin Competitions Society opened yesterday, with record entries. Tho festival will he continued daily till Saturday, October 4. Tho attendances yesterday were satisfactory. At night the official opening took place. The chair was occupied by Mr E. C. Reynolds (president of the society), who was accompanied on tho platform by members of the committee.

Mr E. C. Reynolds declared tho festival open, mentioning that it was tho twentythird occasion on which such a festival had been held. They were very fortunate in having been able "to secure the services of tho judges—Mr E. Bennett North (instrumental and vocal music), Mrs North (elocution), Miss Iris Montgomery (fancy dancing), Mr A. Sutherland (Scotch dancing, hornpipe, etc.), and Mr E. Stratton (fife and drum hand solos). Continuing, the speaker referred to the death of their former esteemed treasurer and committeeman, Mr R. A. Ewing, whom he described as one of their staunchest supporters. Mr Reynolds then referred to the success of Dunedin competitors in the Wellington Competitions, remarking that in his opinion the Wellington standard was not higher than that o( Dunedin. _ One thing that had struck him in Wellington was tho amount of rapport accorded the competitions by business firms, who gave special prizes. Ho thought that local films could do more to assist in that way. Ho thanked those firms who had helped, especially Messrs R. Hudson and Co., The Bristol Piano Company, and Messrs Begg and Co., who had presented scholarships. Mr Reynolds also paid tribute to the work of their energetic secretary (Mr K S. Wilson).

Tho accompanist was again Mr Charles A. Martin, and Air W. 11. Ferens was in charge “back stage.” Results as under:— MUSIC.

JudgnrMr E. Bennett North (Sydney). PIANO SOLO, 12 and under 14, ‘ Tho Mill Song ’ " (Ringuet).

Emily Rigby, 95 points , u 1 Master J. Roberts, 94 points ... ... 2 Phyllis Crooks, 92 points ... 3 Other competitors: Miss Rua S. Frapwell, Miss A. Shrimpion 89, Miss Iso|ml Ross 88, Miss L. Henderson, Miss Ailccn Duggan, Miss Thelma Farrell 87, Miss Cathie Foster, Miss F. L. Dickson, Miss Dorothy Johnston 85, Miss Lily Trourn (Ravonsbourne), Miss Gertie Fowler 85, Miss Olive Moroton, Miss’Doris King 84, Miss Penny Boyd, Miss Molly Brewster 83, Master Clive M‘Arthur, Miss Isabel Mathieson 82, Miss Caren Wildey, Miss Isabel Philip, Miss M. Ironside, Miss Maisio G. Wright, Miss E. Banncrman 81, Miss Greta Hannah, Miss May Schofield, Master A. Clark© (St. Leonards) 80, Master Willis Trevor 79, Miss Helen Sellar, Miss V. M. Davidson, Miss Naomi Pratt 78, Master Jim Bevin 77, Miss Mary Douglas 76, Miss E. Mattheweon 74, Miss Gladys Cox 72, Miss Violet Fullerton 71. The judge remarked that they had some very good work in tho preliminaries, but a-, good many of the competitors rather raced the speed, the result being not good. This was a little thing that might be born© in mind in all of the piano classes. Ho proceeded to comment on the work of tho competitors individually, and mentioned that tho high marks he had given reflected his high opinion of the work. CONTRALTO SOLO, ‘ Like To tho Damask Eoso’ (Elgar). Miss Jessie Rawlinson, 84 points 1 Miss Dorothy Skinner, 83 points ... ... 2 Miss S. Mitchell, 78 points ... 3 Other competitors: Miss A. M'Cready 78, Mrs E. A. Isaacs 76, Miss Flora Williamson 75. Miss Cathie Nowson (Clinton), Miss Sara Paterson 74., The judge, in commenting on the _scction, said that very few of the competitors had realised what scope it offered for dramatic treatment. Most of the competitors came fairly well through a difficult tost. Tho first-placed competitor gave tho piece good treatment, and attained a very fair climax. Tho second prize winner was an intelligent competitor, and a little more contrast in tone would have helped her work. The third competitor had a voice of sweet quality, perhaps rather mezzo in type, he thought. Vocally tho evening performance was not so steady as that of the preliminary. IRISH FOLK SONG (amateur, gentlemen), own selection. Mr Arthur J. Langley, 85 points «, 1 Mr Stanley Jackson, 81 points 2 Mr Walter Mitchell, 78 points ... ... 5 Highly commended 1 ; Mr A. R. Wilson 77, Mr John Donford 76, Mr John B. Anderson, Mr Gavin. S. Nicol 75. Other competitors: Mr D. C. Colville (Christchurch) 74. The judge said that Jlr Jackson had a voice of good quality and well poised', nice word stress, phrasing broken once or twice. A sincere singer with good expression. Mr Mitchell had u voice of beautiful quality, but not always produced forward enough. He was a sincere singer who should develop very well. Mr Lungley had a good voice of much color, intelligent phrasing, nice repose of style, and good diction. A most enjoyable psnormance. VOCAL DUET (gentlemen), ’Excelsior’ (Balfe). Messrs D. M’Neil and W. Mitchell, 87. points 1 Messrs A. J. Parker and P. 6. Anderson, 86 points 2 Messrs F. B. Davy and Arnold Pony, 78 points ... •» *«

The only competitors. The judge said they had three very good performances. The pair placed third made a good blend, but the lower voices wore not very happy. The double pianissimo was rather loud, and there were wrong notes here and there. The intonation of the lower part was the disturbing factor in both voices. The tenor in the winners had a good voice—needed a little more word color. They had good cohesion, attack, and release unanimous. Unanimity of phrasing was a marked feature of this performance. A splendid climax. In the pair placed second tho tenor had a beautiful voice and refined style. Time was a little ragged in the lower voice. Intonation was good on the whole.

ELOCUTION, Judge: Mrs E. Bennett North (Sydney). RECITATION (amateurs ladies), ‘The Slave’s Dream. 1 (H. W, Longfellow).

Miso Olivo Thomas, 83 points 1 Miss Jenny Griffiths, 82 points ... 2 Miss M, E. Fan-ant, 79 points ... 3 Other competitors: Miss Heather Smith, Miss M. B. Cowio (Invercargill) 75, Mies Vona Story, Mias P. Cunliffo (Invercargill), Miss P. Petersen 74, Miss D. E. Crimp (Green Island) 73, Miss M Randle 72, Miss Winnie Beck, Miss Marie Hall, Mias Frances Frye 70, Mias Gladys Murray, Miss Lillian Clifford, Misa Grade R, Driver, Miss Christie Malloch 60, Miss Annie Joyce 67.

The judge, in announcing the result, said that in the morning they had some very nice work. It was very even work—nothing very, bad and nothing very startling. The first prize winner had a very nice voice, but lien inflection was sometimes faulty. The fourth verse was very well done—better done than by the other competitors. The judge, after touching on other points, said she would describe this competitor as a natural reciter. The second-placed competitor had a very good voice—better, in fact, than that of the first prize winner, but not so well modulated. Her facial expression was good, and was a feature of her afternoon performance. The third-placed competitor had the best voice of the three, but she should

he careful as to enunciation. The fourth verse was not so well done as by the other competitors. RECITATION, Humorous (amateurs, ladies), own selection. Miss Madge Yates (‘ Tho Pudding'), 86 points I Mass G. Murray (‘Reggie’) and Miss Jenny Griffiths (‘The Telegram’), equal, 83 points -2 Miss P. Cunliffe (Invercargill), 78 ... 4 Other competitors! Miss M. E. Farrant 77, Miss M. B. Cowls (Invercargill), Mies Mario Hall 76, Miss Lillian Clifford 74, Miss Frances Frye 71. The judge suggested that competitors in sections such as the present one should endeavor to get something new to-recite. Judges were getting tired of these old pieces. The audience must have been a very good-tempered one to have helped competitors and to have responded so quickly. Miss Murray had a very good voice for ‘Reggie.’ Her pronunciation was sometimes at fault. Facial expression very good. She did better at night than in the afternoon—-gave more humor and had more grip. Mass Cunliffe had rather a good piece, out did not bring out all tho humor in it. She had a good voice, and tho judge felt that she was going to dobettor yet. Miss Griffiths had a very good voice, and her enunciation was quite good when she was not speaking too quickly. Her facial expression was very interesting. She had been slightly disappointing in the evening. Miss Yates had a very good voice, well used. In technique this girl was very capable. Her facial expression was excellent, and so were her by-play and gestures. The judge remarked that competitors were keeping" strictly to the test hook. They should try something from Dickens or Stephen Leacock. DANCING. Judges: Miss Iris Montgomery (Christchurch), fancy dancing; Mr A. Sutherland, Scottish and national dancing. SKIPPING ROPE DANCE (12 years and over). Grace Dincen, 74 points ... ... », 1 Etta Lang, 72 points _ .„ 2 Gwen Webster, 69 points ... ... 3 Other competitors: Vivienne Lamb 72, Nancy Abernethy 68, Mabel Sinclair (Timaru) 65. The judge said she was very pleased with the work in this section. All of tho competitors pointed their toes well in the air, and seemed to be concerned almost entirely with getting safely over the rope. However, the section was pleasing, and consequently rather hard to judge. SEAN TRIDBHAIS (girls under 15). Lorna Budge, 86 points ... ... 1 Mabel Sinclair (Timaru), 81 points 2 L Hayden, 80 points ... 3

Highly commended: Mavis Burgoyne (Tiraaru), 79. Other competitors! Miss Clara Dunn, Miss May Hungerford 77, Miss J. M’Donald 76, Miss Alice Brockett, Miss Elina Coxon (Balclutha) 74, Miss M. M’Kerrow, Miss Ethel Sinclair 72, Miss Eqna Wilson, Miss E. Johnston 70, Miss Jill Fox 69, Miss Olive Scott 68, Miss Joyce Smith, Miss Rhona Beale (Mosgiol) 65, Miss Isabella Ives 63, Miss Coreen Kitto (Abbotsford) 59. The judge said tho scan triubhais was a low, shuffling movement, and must not be taken at too great a tempo. He was very pleased with the performance, and there had been one outstanding rendering of the dance. Many of the competitors were inclined to hold their hands too stiffly. Miss Sinclair had good positions, and her toe and heel movement were very good. Miss Hayden made quite a pleasing opening. Her toes were turned In at times; her position was bad, and her balance a little uneven. Miss Budge had given him great pleasure. Her positions were very good, and her actions very nice. Her tempo, to his mind, was just right. IRISH REEL (girls under 15), teams of four. E. Johnson, Lula Walsh, Clara Dunn, Elma Gpxon (Balclutha), 82 points 1 Ethel Sinclair, Mavis Burgoyne (Timaru), E. Johnston, Clara Dunn, 75 points 2 Rhona Beale (Mosgiol), Margaret Gall (Mosgiol), Doreen O’Sullivan, Lorna Budge, 70 points 3 Mr Sutherland remarked that ho had been rather pleased with the work that day. The boating of some of the teams, especially the heel beat, was a little on the rough side. Some of the girls were inclined'to force a little bit with tho body. The first team made a very nice opening, but the beating was not crisp enough in some of the movements. They had fine balance and good abandon. The opening of tho team placed third was spoilt by two of tho girls not keeping their heads up. The beating was very rough at times. Tho time was raced very much. The team placed second gave a better performance than it hud done in the afternoon.