COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 21505, 1 September 1933, Page 11

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

MEN'S SCHOLARSHIP TO MR MTARLANE MISS JOYCE RIDLEY ELOCUTION CHAMPION There was another crowded house at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, when tho Dunedin Competitions Society’s competitive events were practically concluded. Probably the most interesting and novel item on the programme was the pronunciation contest. The words chosen chosen by tho judge are all frequently met with, and it can be safely said that 90 per cent, of them are used every day. Nevertheless some of the competitors were plainly baffled by a number of the words, and the section was productive of much amusement. After tho awards had been announced the judges expressed appreciation of the assistance which they had received from the committee and officials. The chairman and the president (Mr H. Brasch) both expressed appreciation of the work of the judges, stating that they were of the highest standing among competitions judges in the dominion. Mr J. L. Gardiner was in the chair. • PROTEST UPHELD. A protest was lodged in the piano duo, two pianos, four hands, open to all, which was decided on Wednesday night, on the ground that one of the pair who were awarded second place was under the age of 16. The rule was that where no age limit was mentioned competitors must be 16 years of age or over, the reason being that it is not fitting that young people should compete against older ones. The committee therefore upheld the protest, and gave second place to Misses Isabel Gillies and Florence Gillies, and third place to Misses Blanche Errington and Jentie Bishop. VOCAL, Judge: Mr H. Temple White (Wellington) . NATIONAL SCOTTISH OR IRISH SONG, amateurs, Gentlemen, ow;n selection. Mr A. M'DowelL 81 points 1 Mr J. B. M‘Fai{ane, 80 points ... 2 Mr Jack Stevens 3 Highly commended: Mr Rowland Dunbar, Mr J. J. Tait, Mr S. I. Bickerstaff, Mr S. E. Kershaw, Mr Edward Ottrey. Also competed: Mr J. Reddington, Mr W. A. Race, Mr T. Graham, Mr E. G. Johnston (Fairlie), Mr Alan Betting, Mr J, L. D. Ritchie, Mr John Erskine. Mr White said that this was a very good class. The winner sang with resonant tone, and his low notes were particularly good. Mr M'Farlane sang with smooth tone nad refined diction. CHILDREN’S ACTION CHORUS, any age, under 16, minimum of 12 voices, in costume. The B.C. Class, ‘Oh, Listen to the Band,’ 101 points 1 Miss Anita Wmkel’s Juniors, ‘The Old \Yon)an T .in the Shqe,’, .98 points ... ... 2 Miss Anita Winkel’s Juniors, ‘ Lilac Time,’ 94 points ... ... 3 Highly commended: Miss Muriel Sugar’s pupils, ‘The Fairy Wedding.’ Also competed: Miss Noeline Parker’s juniors, ‘ Dutchies ’; Miss Anita Winkel’s pupils, ‘ When You Were the Blossom of Buttercup Lane.’ SONG FOR GIRLS, 13 and under 16, ‘ Golden Dancing Days.’ Gwen Dewhirst, 84 points ... ... 1 Lexie Mathieson, 83 points ... ... 2 The Judge said that this was an excellent class, in which some exceedingly Lrautiful voices were heard. The recalled competitors sang brightly, and gave good interpretations of tho song. SOPRANO SOLO, ‘ Love, the Jester.’ Miss D, Sligo, 82 points 1 Miss Anne White, 81 points 2 Miss Alva Myers (Kaitangata), 80 points 3 Mr White said that all of the recalled competitoi had musical voices. _ They gave bright renderings and convincing interpretations. GENTLEMEN’S SCHOLARSHIP SECTION—(a) tenor, •* Flower Song ’ (Bizet); baritone, ‘ 0 Star of Evo ’ (Wagner) ; bass, ‘ Arm, Arm, Ye Bravo ’ (Handel); (b) own selection. Mr J. B. M'Farlane, 82 points and 82 points—l 64 1 Mr S. E. Kershaw, 83 points and 79 points—l 62 2 Mr Alex. M‘Dowell, 79 points and ‘Bl points—l6o ... ... 3 Highly commended: Mr Rowland Dunbar, Mr Edward Ottrey, Mr Jack Stevens, Mr Ernest P. Drew, Mr E. G. Johnston (Fairlie). Also competed: Mr William Stevenson, Mr James D. Hanning, Mr John Galloway (Ravensbourne), Mr T. Graham, Mr W. A. Race. In this section, said Mr White, the audiences had heard the.best singing by men during the festival. This was probably due to tho fact that they had had more experience. In tho winner’s performance smooth, refined, and elegant singing was heard." Ho realised the dramatic possibilities of ‘ Tho Flower Song.’ Mr Kershaw had a voice of rich . quality. His phrasing was good and his enunciation excellent, and be sang with feeling. Begg’s shield for tho highest marks in solo singing in test selections was won by Miss D. Sligo and Mr R. Dunbar, who were equal with 82 points. The rug for the lady’s highest aggregate was won by Miss N. White with 477 points. The rug for the highest aggregate points for gentlemen- was won by Mr A. M'Dowell with 478 points. INSTRUMENTAL. Judge: Mr Temple White. PIANO DUET, under 11. ‘ Rose Petals’ (Paul Lawson), Ron. and Keith Flamnrik (Pukerangi), 80 points 1 Ethel F. Sharp (Dunedin) and Rita Ballantyne (Dunedin) and Mary Bray (Dunedin) and Betty O’Neill (Dunedin), 79 points (equal) ... 2 !5. Pagonis (Opoho) and Merle Gibbs (Opoho), 77 points 4 Highly commended: Gavin Bartlett and Harry Latimer, Joan Walsh and Leonard M'Goldriek, Joyce Workman and Dorothy Bond, Doreen Scott and Mavis White, Juno Barclay and Mary Luke. Also competed; Winifred I. Baker and Winifred J. Allan. Joyce and Evelyn Peters, M. Hurnaell and D. J. Crawslmw, Verna Campbell and Ngaia Hanger, Noeln Borrow and Marjorie Holdaway, Joy Wylie and Lorna Oliver,

Betty M'Lean and Ngaire Rouse, Pat Allan and Molly Kerens, Billy Quigley and June Hudson, Doreen Broad and Maureen Hill. This was a very even class, in which a very fair standard was maintained, said the judge. PIANO SOLO, amateurs, own selection; time limit, ten. minutes. Miss Isabel Dawson (Oamaru), 82 points 1 Mrs C. H. Westland. SO points ... 2 Miss Marion A. Jeffery. 78 points ... 3 Highly, commended. Misses Muriel Ironside, Margaret V. Davidson, and Jean M’Corkindale. Messrs Vincent M'tfovefn and-Colin Oliver. Also competed Misses Rita E. Lowe, Marion Hayward (Christchurch), Isobel Gillies. Jessie Jackson, Zeitha Johnstone, Florence M. Gillies, Eveleen MTSvoy, E. M. Thomson, Messrs B. Matthews (Mandeville) and Stanley White. Mr White said that tin’s was an average class with no thrilling moments. Tho winner ’showed good technique and artistry, and her performance was commendably free from errors. She did good, clean work, showing line shading of tone, and gave an interesting performance. In Mrs Westland’s performance technique, touch, and phrasing were good. The themes were well brought out, and she had a good conception of the piece. ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr W. Russell-Wood (Auckland). SHAKESPEAREAN RECITATION, amateurs, lady or gentleman, 16 and under 21. Miss Molly O’Sullivan, 84 points ... 1 Miss Joy Rae, 83 points . 2 Mr Russell-Wood said that this was not as good a class ns it might have been, there being a lack of finisq among the competitors. Unfortunately all the men who had entered in tho section failed to appear. Ho regretted their withdrawal as their items looked very interesting. Tho winner chose ‘ Queen Margaret,’ from ‘Richard the Third,’ a powerful extract well suited to the performer’s talents. The rhythm was good, and tho character well presented with dramatic fervour. Mr RussellWood said he would like to say how much he had enjoyed that competitor’s work this year. She had greatly advanced since his previous visit, and with practice and perseverance would make her mark. Tho second competitor gave a piece from ‘ Twelfth Night.’ The contrasts were fairly good, but on her second appearance , she lacked tho artistry she had displayed earlier. CHARACTER RECITAL, girls or boys, 12 and under 16, own selection. John Murio (Christchurch), 108 points) 1 Joy Knowles (101 points) 2 The judge said that this was a very fair section. Unfortunately some of the performers attempted characters which were beyond their present capabilities. The section, however, was very interesting. The winner did ‘ Tom Sawyer,’ quite an original idea, and the arrangement of the sketch was good. The characterisation was very fair, and the dressing and make-up good. The second performer did ‘ Isabella’s Pleading.’ The performance lacked polish and technique, but was done with feeling. The entrance and exit were good, and tho costume appropriate. RECITATION, 16 and under 18, own selection. Mr Ernest Holier, 86 points 1 Miss Nanna Newey (Ravensbourne) 83 points 2 The judge said that this was a fine section, with all tho competitors giving worthwhile pieces and showing evidence of careful preparation. The winner gave ‘ The Great Lover,’ by Rupert Brooke, a most ambitious piece, given with attention to phrasing and rhythm The mood was sustained throughout, and although just a little wanting in variety and treatment, the performance was a polished one. The second performer did ‘The King of Denmark's Ride,’ a fairly good descriptive piece She made marxed changes and put good feeling into the ■ lines, but was not quite word perfect and just a little staccato. PRONUNCIATION COMPETITION. Miss Irene Ritchie, 41 words 1 Mr Claude Grey, 37 words 2 Miss Joy Rae, 33 words 3 Also competed: Misses Molly O’Sullivan, Jean Lister, Florence Sumner, and Mr Frank Foster.

Each competitor was handed a list of thirty words, and each time a mistake was made a bell was rung by the judge (Mr W Russell-Wood), who was on the stage. The placed competitors each pronounced twenty-four words correctly, and they were handed ait additional list of twenty words so that a decision could be reached. The complete list of words' Was as follows Acumen, applicable, arraigned, bedizen, chimerical, clandestine, circuitous, conversant, conjugal, culinary, data, desuetude, despicable, devotee, economics, ennui, epitome, flaccid, finance, funereal, gondola, gratis, gratuitous, gyroscope, halcyon, impious, indictment, irreparable, irrevocable, jejune, jocose, lamentable, longevity, maniacal, mausoleum, municipal, naive, omnipotent, phlegm, pianoforte, poignant, respite, redolent, reredos, scion, spontaneity, stalactite, truculent, unprecedented, vagary. GIRLS’ ELOCUTION CHAMPIONSHIP. Miss Joyce Ridley 1 The rug awarded for the highest total marks in senior elocution classes was won by Mr Claude Grey with 670 marks. The junior gold medal for highest aggregate marks in junior elocution was won by Miss Meyrlo Swanson. DANCING. Judge: Miss Gwen Gibbs (Palmerston North). BALLET OR GROUP DANCING, any age, not more than 12 or less than 6 performers. Otago School of Dancing, ‘ One Winter’s Day,’ 97 points 1 Otago School of Dancing. ‘ At the Links,’ 92 points ... 2 These were the only competitors. Miss Gibbs said that the standard was so high in this section that, although there were only two entries, she had decided to award first and second prizes. BALLET DANCE, operatic, other than toe, under 10. Betty Black, 74 points 1 Joyce G. Smith, 69 points 2 Miss Gibbs stated that these were both delightful efforts. The winner had a good stage sense, and was very promising. Miss Smith gave a bright performance. CHARACTER DANCE, not to include ballet, Greek, or Eastern, 13 and under 16. Joyce Todd, 99 points _ 1 Frances Bryan, 94 points ... ... 2 The winner’s dance was very wolf done and arranged, said the judge. Miss Bryan’s dance was a good one.

DEMt.CHAHACTKK DANCE, cn pointc, 3G ami over. Miss Ethel Todd. 77 points 1 Miss Dorothy Judd, 72 points ... 2 Miss Anzae Fatten, 70,points •'» Miss Gibbs described,the work,in this section as interesting, and praised the technique of the winner. .jiidge&gomiients EIOGUTiOH SEGTIOH A SBEA7 Speaking of the elocutionary and debating sections decided during the festival. Mr W I, ussell-Wood said that in many respects lie liad observed a great improvement in the work of competitors since his previous visit to Dunedin last year. Perhaps the most marked improvement was in the sections for competitors between twelve and sixteen years of age. There had also been a decided improvement in the ladies’ seat ion. Diction, by which he meant the use of pure English without a trace of any accent whatever, was very much better, and it had been a pleasure to listen to many of the voices, which seemed to bo of a better quality in Dunedin than in the northern centres.

In the men’s sections, the judge added, there were fewer competitors than last year, but there had been excellent performances by the few competitors, and the marking had been very close. The most serious faults found in the adult sections were want of rhythm and inflection. Rhythm was an essential part of poetry, and should never be forgotten. People were apt to confuso rhythm with metre. Metre was subject to certain rules, but rhythm had no rules whatever. One could sense it without being able to define it. Sense, of course, came first, but one should never sacrifice it to rhythm or vice versa. The question of inflection was a very difficult one. Everyone had heard tho reciter who ran up and down the scale with tho idea that it made his recitation more interesting: but it was not interesting. It was only exasperating. Inflection ought to arise quite naturally in accordance with the emotion to be expressed. This would follow if elocutionists thoroughly understood the meaning of what they recited. For the most part the pieces in own selection classes were of a high literary standard, but in many instances they lacked interest. Mr Russell-Wood said that he advised competitors, in choosing extracts from literature, to endeavour to obtain pieces tfyat held the interest of tho average cultured listener. Some of the pieces ho had heard lacked that interest and did not give the performers tho opportunity to display their talents. There was a vast field of high-class poetry which recalled in verse the historic and heroic deeds of the past, and which provided opportunity tor artistic interpretation. In referring to the classes for impromptu speeches and debates, Mr Russell-Wood said that from what ho had heard ho would say that the standard of public speaking in Dunedin, as in all parts of the dominion, was deplorably low. Public speech in New Zealand was rich in quantity, but not in quality. It was imagined by many to he a gift possessed by some and not by others. This was partly true, but the faculty of being able to express views clearly and forcibly in public required to bo trained and developed in accordance with certain rules. In tho knowledge and practice of these rules was embodied the art of public speaking. Few of the speakers he had heard had learned to produce their voices effectively, and a few good speeches were ruined by tho lack of well trained voices, while inferior speeches sometimes proved successful, because they were well delivered. As an incentive to juniors, he would like to see a class for prepared speeches included mi next year’s programme. Referring to the junior sections, Mr Russell-Wood said that there had been a great deal of spontaneous and delightful work, but in many cases, and especially among the hoys, voice quality was extremely bad owing to nasal utterance. The vowel sounds were not broad enough and not properly placed. No child was too young to receive instruction in voice production, and he urged teachers and parents to devote more time and energy to the eradication of nasal speech. In conclusion, Mr Russell-Wood said that he desired to thank the teachers and competitors for the arduous work which they had put into the test pieces chosen cy him. The performances had reached a high standard of elocutionary excellence, and had given him much pleasure.

MUSIC GLASSES HIGH STANDARD REACHED The judge of the music sections (Mr H. Temple White) stated in the course of an interview that it was very pleasing to see so many entries and the classes so well contested. It showed great activity among teachers and students. Day after day, night after night, talent—some of it of a very high order—had been coming forward. In fact, the general standard had been so good that his work, while very strenuous, had been rendered enjoyable. Mr White added that the standard of pianoforte playing showed an advance on the work which he had heard twp years ago, and some of it had been of a "very high standard. Some of the pianists in the own selection (open) class had chosen pieces of the virtuoso type, somewhat beyond their technical and emotional equipment at present. Some very promising violinists had appeared, but the absence of senior players had been a disappointment. “ In the vocal sections, with the exception of three or four in the male section,” Mr White continued, “ the lady vocalists were f of a much higher standard than the men. In fact, there was a large number of lady singers whose work was of a very high order indeed. Gifted with good voices and aided by correct training, allied with pleasing deportment, their items have given me much pleasure and have Tightened what would have been a very difficult task indeed In one way it added to the difficulty on account of the even standard of those who have been so keenly competing for the honours.” Mr’ White added that Dunedin l.ad some very talented children, and he had been astonished at the work of some of the juveniles in the piano, violin, and vocal classes. Some wonderfully good work had been given in the character songs and action choruses. The choir work bad been good, and made one hope that in future more choirs might bo induced to enter. The competitions in Dunedin, the judge concluded, were well organised, and the city was fortunate in having so many men of standing at the back of the movement, and in having the support of so many of the teachers and musicians. The competitions were ful-

filling a useful purpose in providing a stimulus to studv, and an outlet for sell-expression for so many young people.

P ifflimme DANGERS

IKPORTAN3E OF GOOD MUSIC Miss Gwen Gibbs, who judged the dancing sections, received her training as a dancer from Espinosa, tho famous ballet master, in London, and iy3B for some years a member of Williamson companies touring in Australia find New Zealand. She has since had considerable success as a teacher in Wellington and Palmerston North. Commenting on the standard of the work which she had judged during the festival, Miss Gibbs said that she had been impressed by the original and effective ideas upon which the dances had been based. 'There had, however, been a lack of sufficient ground work and technical finish, and in the junior classes there had been a tendency to attempt work that was too far advanced. It would be much better for the competitors to be content with elementary work, and to do it well. She had noticed a few outstanding performers, who showed decided promise, and who would go a long way if they took up dancing as a profession. The poorest work had been done in the operatic sections, in which technique was so important. Miss Gibbs added that she had found a tremendous improvement since her visit four years ago in the choice of music and the manner in which it was played. Poor music badly played was usually tho subject of her chief complaint at festivals at which she judged. The importance of music in relation to a dance could not be stressed too much. A dancer must be inspired by her music. She danced to the music, and was not accompanied by it. To illustrate the importance placed upon this phase of dancing one might instance the incomparable Pavlova, who had been accompanied on her tours by a picked orchestra under a famous conductor. This was ono of tho features of her performances. Miss Gibbs added that one of her methods in the training of very small pupils was to put a record on the gramophone—always good music—and invite the children to dance to it. She carefully watched their movements, and was quickly able to discover those who showed natural rhythm. This method helped to develop the sense of time and rhythm which was the basis of the art of dancing. “ The work which 1 enjoyed most,” Miss Gibbs continued, “ was that which was done in the ballets and duos. Tho miming of the children on the whole was excellent. I was disappointed ,to see such poor entries in tho senior classes. It is only when a girl is growing up that she begins to feel what she is doing. The advanced work, therefore, is always the most interesting to judge. The standard of work done by the senior girls in Dunedin is high.” Miss Gibbs added that she was prepared to give a cup for the competitor gaining the highest championship points m senior classical, operatic (toe), and character work. A condition would be, however, that there must be no fewer than four competitors, each of whom must participate in all of the- three classes mentioned. The system of awarding would be: 5 for first place, 3 for second, 1 for third, and £ for highly commended.