THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23340, 9 August 1939, Page 10

THE COMPETITIONS

FESTIVAL STARTS NEXT WEEK 1,800 ENTRIES RECEIVED APPRECIATION OF SUPPORT EXPRESSED To-day the thirty-eighth annual festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society will begin, and a successful season is anticipated. Despite a one-third reduction in the length of the season, and a one-third reduction in the syllabus, the response from competitors has been very gratifying, and the total number of entries shows a decline of only a quarter. Entries total 1,800, and are divided amongst the various classes as follows: —Elocution 640, vocal 650, instrumental 290, audl dancing 220. Adjudicators of the four sections are: Elocution, Mr Rupert Harvey, of Trinity College, London; vocal, Mr Adolph Mann, of Trinity College; instrumental, Mr Paul Schramm; and dancing, Miss Betty Carnochan, of Christchurch. Business concerns have responded as generously as in the past, and the society is very appreciative of the support given. Principal donors in this connection have been: Dunedin Savings Bank £IOO, City Corporation £SO, W. Harris and Son. Ltd. £ls 15s, ‘ Evening Star ’ Company £ls, ‘ Otago Daily Times ’ £ls, Cadbury Fry Hudson Ltd. £lO 10s, Charles Begg and Co. £lO 10s, andl Coulls, Somerville, and Wilkie Ltd. £6 6s. Among the many other donors no more generous actio.il has been reported than the presentation of a special trophy open for annual competition among prize-winners of the soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone, and bass vocal sections. The trophy consists of a magnificent rose bowl, valued at 25gs, the donor of which prefers to remain known as a friend of the society.

LOCAL AMATEUR SOCIETIES ASSIST. Excellent support has been forthcoming from the Dunedin Operatic Society and the Dunedin Repertory Society. To aid the society’s funds the former body is putting on a special play, ‘ No Other Witness,’ by A. Armstrong, author of ‘ Ten Minute Alibi,’ proceeds of which will be handed over to the society. This play will be given in His Majesty’s Theatre on September 7,8, and 9. The control of the front part of the house will be in the hands of Repertory Society members, and this morning Mr G. H. Elliffe, of the Competitions Society executive, expressed the society’s very keen appreciation of these splendid voluntary efforts. The committee has worked hard this year to make the festival a success, and their wishes will.be realised if support from the public is forthcoming at the nightly concerts. Some very entertaining evenings are promised, and the small charge made for admission will ensure plenty of variety and will in itself be a contribution to the funds of a deserving body. This year the committee has been strengthened by the addition to its ranks of'Messrs Angus Gorrie, W. R. Sinclair, and H. C. Harford. The season will run from next Wednesday until Saturday, August,26, that night being the final demonstration concert given by prize-winners. On the preceding Friday night the competition for the rose bowl will be staged, together with performances by finalists in the character sketch, the Gilbert and Sullivan and light opera classes, and the ladies’ humorous recitation. Mr Paul Schramm, instrumental adjudicator, will give a ; special pianoforte recital .that night,'his items being dispersed throughout the programme. During the period of the festival three halls will he used—His Majesty’s Theatre, Victoria Hall, and the Concert Chamber.