DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21504, 31 August 1933, Page 2

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS

FESTIVAL NEARING END MISS L. HENDERSON WINS GIRLS' ELOCUTION SCHOLARSHIP Keen interest in the Dunedin Competitions Society’s festival was again evinced last night, when His Majesty’s Theatre was packed. The firms’ choir contest was won by Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen’s choir, and Miss Lydia Henderson was awarded the girls’ elocution scholarship. Appreciative reference to the work of the official accompanist (Miss Sybil Baker) was made by Mr H. Temple White. Her accompaniments, he said, were helpful not only to the advanced competitors but also to the children, for whom she played so delightfully. At Burns Hall on Tuesday, be stated, Miss Baker bad played fifty accompaniments, the last being just as effective as the first. The following wore the results of the afternoon and evening competitions:— MUSIC. VOCAL. Judge: Mr H. Temple White. FIRMS’ CHOIR CONTEST—(a) Part song, unaccompanied, ‘ Boat Song ’ (F. H. Cowen); (b) part song, accompanied, ‘Moonlight’ (Failing). Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen’s Choir (conductor, Mr J. Clarke; accomiste, Mrs Smyth), 79 and 81— 160 points 1 Public Service Choir (conductor, Mr Eric M'Farlane; accompaniste, Mrs R. Irwin), 80 and 73—153 points 2 The only competitors. In the ‘ Boat Song ’ the winning choir .obtained good tone and blend, the singing being impressive. The women’s voices were excellent in ‘ Moonlight,’ in which number of tone of the men’s voices in the Public Service Choir was good. The work of both choirs was very good. CHURCH CHOIR CONTEST—(a) Anthem, accompanied, ‘ The Lord Is Loving ’ (Garrett) ; (b) hymn, unaccompanied, ‘ 0 Love That Wilt Not Let Mo Go.’ Ravensbourne Congregational Church Choir (conductor, Mr J. Connor; pianist, Mrs J. French) was the only competitor. In announcing that he would make no award Mr Temple White said the choir lacked experience in this type of singing, and the voices were untrained. He urged the choir to persevere, and said he would like to attend a practice with them.

CHILDREN’S ACTION CHORUS, any age under 16, minimum of twelve voices, in costume. In this class Miss Anita Winkel’s juniors sang ‘ Lilac Time.’ CHILDREN’S DUET, under 13, in character, to be sung in unison or harmony, own selection. Joy Grant and W. Bunting, 102 points 1 Ethel Thomas and Gwynneth Watson, 98 points ■ 3 Maud Stewart and Patricia Johnson, 97 points 3 Highly commended: Lily Shrimpton and Lila Murdoch, Joyce G. Smith and Irene Scott, Rowena Lawson and Heather Douglas, Laura Shrimpton and •Toy Watts, Vonuy Finnerty and Zelda Morris. Also competed: Murray Bowie and Isabel Dakers, Enid Carter and Sylvia Bean, Ngairo and Thelma Bean, Lilian Scott (Balclutha) and June Andrews, Hannah Race and Doreen Sapsford, Arthur Sherriff and James Murray, June and Winnie Leckie, Joan Hanley and Bobbie Whale. The class was described by the judge as being most enjoyable. SONG FOR GIRLS, under 13, ‘The Rain Fairy’ (Arundale). —Second Section. — Lila Murdoch, 79 points 1 Christine Wallace, 78 points 2 Deslys M'Kcnzio, 77 points 3 The work in this section, the preliminary of which was taken on Tuesday, was very oven, according to the judge. WELSH FOLK SONG, Ladies or Gentlemen, amateurs, own selection. Miss Ruby Price, 81 points 1 Miss Nom Davidson, 80 points ... 2 Mr J. B. M'Farlane, Miss Jean M'Lay, Miss Marg. Murray (Balclutha), 78 points, equal 3 Highly commended: Mr E. G. Johnston (Fairlie), Miss Alva Myers (Kaitangata), Miss Kathleen Bond. Also competed: Miss Ruth D. Sell, Messrs T. Graham, and S. I. Bickerstaff. The marks were even, the standard being fairly good. Two excellent performances were given by the first and second prize-winners. Miss Price’s good selection was sung with charm. The judge praised Miss Davidson’s phrasing and expression. INSTRUMENTAL. Judge: Mr H. Temple White. PIANO DUO, two pianos, four hands, open to all, ‘ The Harmonious Blacksmith ’ (Handel). Misses Nellie Pickett (Palmerston) and Muriel Ironside, 83 points ... 1 Miss Elza Irwin (Invercargill) and R. Brown (Invercargill), 79 points 2 Misses Isabel and Florence Gillies, 77 points 3 The class, which was not good, suggested Chopin rather than Handel. The winners gave a finished performance, marked with balance. ELOCUTION. Judge; Mr Russell-Wood. SCHOLARSHIP FOR GIRLS, 11 and under 16, (a) ‘I Met at Eve’ (Walter de la Mare); (b) own selection. Miss Lydia Henderson (84 and 83), 167 points 1 Miss J. L. Keown (83 and 83) and Miss Joyce Ridley (82 and 84), 166 points, equal, 2 This was a splendid section, according to the judge, who was pleased with the performances of the set piece and own selection. All the girls said the test artistically, and the marking was very even. However, there was a difference in the “own selection,” some choosing very meritorious literary pieces and others selections which limited their scope for convincing iinterpretation. On the whole, though, the choice was good. Miss Henderson gave a most artistic performance in the test. Her rhythm was perfect. She had personality, a very good voice, and pleasant stage presence. Her work throughout the festival had been very interesting and enjoyable. Her own selection was 1 Sons of the Seals,’ an unusual poem which she spoke with artistry.

HUMOROUS CHARACTER SKETCH. Ladies or Gentlemen, own selection. Miss Pennie Marshall, 106 points ... 1 Mr Claude Grey, 105 points 2 Miss Molly O’Sullivan, 103 points ... 3 Also competed: Misses Molly Baker, Hazel Shier (Christchurch), Nell Warren, Billie Robinson, Jean Liddicoat, Phyllis Russell (Kaitangata), Joyce Hamer, Eileen Small, Molly Handle. This was a fair class, said Mr RussellWood, but there were a few competitors who did not sustain the character they undertook to portray, and the arrangement of some of the sketches left much to be desired. For the most part the dressing was appropriate, and the make-up was fairly good. Outstanding performances were given by the two competitors recalled. The winner gavo ‘ The Washerwoman,’ an original sketch which was carefully arranged and suitably dressed, though the make-up was a little juvenile. The competitor could have made more marked changes of voice. She sustained the character well, extracting from it a great deal of genuine humour. Mr Grey gave ‘ Workmen’s Rights.’ He made an effective entrance and put spirit into bis soap-box oratory, but he should have increased the emphasis and pace as be proceeded. His performance was expressive, and the sketch was well arranged and suitably dressed. He had real acting ability, said the judge, who added that he had never seen a man use bis face more effectively than did Mr Grey. HUMOROUS RECITATION, Girls, 12 and under 16. Own selection. Miss Norma Brown, 84 points ... 1 Miss Marjorie M'Taggart, 81 points 2 Miss Joyce Ridley and Lydia Henderson, 80 points (equal) 3 Highly commended: Misses Lexie Mathieson, Marion Quartermain (Christchurch). Dulcie Hazelwood and Alice Clarke. Also competed: Misses Ethel Thomas, J. L. Keown, Patricia Johnson, Catherine Murie (Christchurch), Lucy Garbutt, Vera Newman, Reta Dennis, Lesley Walker, Molly M'Leod, Joan Holmes, Billie Loan, Edith Lunan, Ngaire Glue, Joy Knowles, Lila Murdoch. Mr Russell Wood said this was a large but very disappointing class. Some of the selections were in bad taste. Any attempt to make fun out of disrespect for children’s elders should be discouraged. The winner had a fresh and pleasing voice, and showed promise. Although she had imagination and talent Miss M‘Taggart’s work lacked polish. DANCING. Judge, Miss Gwen Gibbs. DANCE DUO, other than dramatic, under 12, Zoe Prebble and Joan Townrow, 103 points 1 Gwen Cox and Joyce Rowley, 101 points 2 Winnie Todd and Marjory Rhodes, 98 points 3 Very highly commended: Irene Scott and Joyce Smith, Ngila Slowley and Bessie Shirley. Also competed: Joan Higgins and Trevor Phillips, Audrey M‘Arley and Gladys Hyder, Violet Polwarth and Edna Winter, Zalda Morris and Betty Bryan. Lorraine Hill and Pamela Page, Eileen Fraser and Lorna Hewitt. In Miss Gibbs’s opinion this was the best class of the festival. BALLET DANCE, operatic, other than toe, 13 and under 16. Miss Joyce Todd, 74 points 1 Miss Frances Bryan, 73 points ... 2 The class was heard on Tuesday. It was not a good one, said Miss Gibbs. The winner danced brightly, and Miss Bryan showed ability in interpretation. Her work was rhythmical. SKIPPING ROPE DANCE, under 12. Agnes Stewart, 77 points 1 W. Thomson, 76 points 2 M. Kennedy, 71 points 3 The placed competitors undertook simple work, said Miss Gibbs, and danced happily and easily.