COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 20863, 5 August 1931, Page 11

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE A meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Competitions Society was held on Monday evening, Mr E. J. Smith occupying tho chair. The secretary submitted the folllowing list, comparing the entries for this year’s festival with those for last year, which aro given in parentheses:—Elocution, 528 (359) i instrumental music, 182 (131) : vocal music, 3G9 (370) ; dancing, 220 (IG4) ; totals, 1,290 (1,024). Tho secretary pointed out that tho entries wore really better than tho flo-ures indicated, as they included 17 choir entries, 11 half-hour entertainments, and 11 impromptu speeches. There had also been a very satisfactory entry for tho ballots and piano duos. Members of the committee expressed satisfaction at the excellent record of entries, which augured well for _ the success of tho forthcoming festival, which is to bo commenced on August 19. The secretary submitted the timetable arrangements for tho various sessions throughout tho festival. The sub-committee which was set np to make a canvass for donations reported that the requests made had met with considerable success, and several donations of cash had already been received. Several trophies had also been secured. , ~ , . The Chairman reported that several ex-competitors had decided to make an effort to help the society and had decided to present the comedy, idly of Bloomsbury,’ on three evenings during tho season. The cast would consist of competitors who had already made reputations on the stage, and lie anticipated that the entertainment would prove very attractive. . The Chairman stated that it was felt that a great number of people did not realise the excellent educational work the society was doing, and many did not realise the very excellent programmes which were presented at each session of the competitions. An effort was being made to induce some of these who did not usually patronise the festival to come on at least one occasion and hear the class of programmes that were presented each evening. He was confident that many, having been attracted once, would como back to hear more.

It is anticipated that the evening sessions will prove especially attractive as they will include .the choir contests, half-hour entertainments, and other features, as well as the piano duos, duets, solos, vocal, elocutionary, and dancing competitions. The society endeavours to make the programmes as varied as possible, and it is expected that some excellent talent should ho found among the competitors. As in the past, the Saturday evening programmes will he made up entirely of children’s items.