THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23354, 25 August 1939, Page 13

THE COMPETITIONS

MISS LOIS MANNING WINS CHIEF PIANO SOLO BOYS’ ELOCUTION SCHOLARSHIP TO BERNARD LARSEN COCKNEY CHARACTERISATIONS CLASSIFIED OBSOLETE ' Last night was the second last adjudicating night of the thirty-eighth annual festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society. There was a good attendance <if the public, and the programme presented met with a good deal of favourable reaction. Mr J. M‘K. Miller was 4haiman. The main item on the programme was ihe chief piano solo contest, two recalls —Miss Lois Manning, of Christchurch, and Mr William Clarke, of Dunedin — being heard. This contest, which carried with it two prizes of £4 4s and £2 2s, the winner having in addition the right to hold the Holier Trophy for one year, resulted in a win for Miss Manning, Mr Clarke being second. It will be ■ recalled that in the concerto class Miss Manning was second and Mr Clarke third. The hoys’ elocution scholarship was decided!, this being gained by Bernard Larsen, with John Colder second. •' Three particularly interesting classes showed up as highlights in the programme. These were the piano duo for two pianos and eight hands; the vocal trio for girls, a : really charming little class:-and the open vocal_ solo, which was distinguished by the pianoforte accompaniment and obbligato. These classes were small, and from the reactions of the audience there is no doubt that they could) have done with more. Results:—

INSTRUMENTAL. Judge: Mr Paul Schramm. CHIEF PIANO SOLO. (a) Test selection, 4 Le Danse d’Olaf ’ (PickMangiagalli) ; (b) own selection: (c) sight-reading test, 4 Menuetto (Serge Prokofieff). First prize, £4 4a; second, £2 2s, donated by Messrs W. Harris and_ Son Ltd. Winner to hold in addition for one year the Mollcr Trophy, silver ■ miniature grand piano, valued £IOO. Miss Lois Manning (Christchurch), 87 J points 1 Mr William Clarke, 77 points 2 Mr G. H. Ellis (Port Chalmers) , 76) points ... ... ..; J Also competed; Misses Sylvia Lawrence. Joan Owens (Christchurch), Margaret Boult (Oturehua), Mr Roger Howell. The" sight-reading test was a simple modern piece, said Mr Schramm, and the performances were satisfactory, although there was a few “ accidents.” The test piece was very well played, and its smooth character was brought out, although , tone varied between 41 tinny ” and heavy. The own selection pieces were also well rendered. PIANO DUO, two pianos, eight hands, own selection. Prizes donated by Messrs Wardells Ltd. Misses Ray M'Garrigle, Olive Nieper, Messrs William Clarke, and . Laurence Scott, 77 points 1 Misses Ruth Stewart, Kathleen Allan, Betty, Joel, .and Mavis MisseS Rena Simpson,-i Mane Jilleyshort, Nance Dunlop, Molly M'Kenzie, 70 points 3 Also competed: Misses Irene Adamson, Gladys Langmore, Noela Borrow, and Ella Dunlop. This was a good average class, said Hr ..Schramm, and the piano playing was ' technically satisfactory. Each of the pieces chosen, however, was really an orchestral number, and an eighthand piano duo should be orchestral in effect. Yet only the winning foursome achieved anything like the required tone colour. ELOCUTION. Judge; Mr Rupert Harvey.

SCHOLARSHIP TOR BOYS, 12 and under 16. (a) Test selection, ‘ The Ship of Fools’ (St. John Lucas); (b) own selection. First prize valued £5 ss, second 10s, donated by Messrs A. H. B. Poulter and o°. Bernard Larsen, 84 1-3 points ... ... 1 John Calder, 81 2-3 points ... ... 2 Owen Hymen (Gore), 76J points ... 3 Also competed: Alan MTntosh, .Gregg Anderson, Irwin M'Gregor, Alan Hey, Jack Cam. ; Patrick Murray (Oaraaru) competed in the test selection only. Mr Harvey expressed pleasure with this class, and he added that the standard of work was showing an improvement as the festival neared its, end. In the test piece all the competitors were satisfactory, while some very good performances were given in the own selection section,. the pieces in which had been well chosen.

SHAKESPEAREAN RECITATION, ladies. ‘ Julius Ccesar,’ act 2, scene 1. Miss Alice Clarke, 92 points 1 Miss Elsie Kirkham, 85 points ... 2 Miss Margaret M'Lay, 80 points ... 3 Also competed: Misses Mary M'Donnell, lona Livingston, Peggie Griffiths, Edith Lunam, Lilian Moulin, Betty Rhodes, Margareet Ufton, Billy Loan, Frances M'Namara, Chris. Justin, Myra M'Kechie, Norma Brown, Erin Ferry (Invercargill), Margaret Scnrr. The real tragedy of the lines was not generally appreciated, said Mr Harvey. The first and second competitors were really excellent, however, and portrayed the extra womanliness demanded by the scene. RECITATION, ladies, open. 1 Ec- - stacy’ (Turner). Miss Billy Loan, 84 points 1 Miss Peggy. Griffiths, 82 points ... 2 Miss Elsie Kirkham, 80 points ... 3 Also competed; Misses lona Livingston, Myra M'Kechie, Margaret M'Lay, Alice Clarke; Margaret Scnrr, Connie Davidson (Otokia), Chris. Justin, Frances M'Namara, Edith Lunam, Mary M'Donnell, Norma Brown, Joy Kerens. The competitors did much better at night, said Mr Harvey, and the recalls were successful in bringing forth the required feeling of ecstacy. HUMOROUS CHARACTER SKETCH, open, own selection. ,Miss Alice Clarke, 105 points _ 1 Miss Elsie Kirkham, 103 J points ... 2 Miss Billy Loan, 86 points 3 Also competed: Misses Margaret Ufton, Norma Brown, Ryta Reid, Mollie Crossan (Mosgiel), Edith Lunam. Points in this class totalled 120. There were too many Cockney impersonations in this class, said Mr Harvey. Such recitals - were hackneyed, and the Cockney was as “ extinct as the itfoa ” to-day. To an ordinary educated audience such things were nob

funny, Mr Harvey also criticised the dress of competitors, stressing the value of correct costume. The first and second competitors gave good performances. VOCAL. Judge; Mr C. H. Adolph Mann, TRIO FOR GIRLS, under 18. ‘ Fly, Singing Bird ’ (Elgar), piano accompaniment. Prizes donated by Mr J. H. Oliver. Misses Noeline Moody, Zelda Osborne, and Leone Cornish, 90 points 1 Misses Marjory Steven, Edith Gardiner, and Tona Livingstone, 74 points ... 2 Misses Joyce Cameron, Joan Harris, and Noeline Plank, 72 points ... 3 Also competed; Misses Pauline Sime, Hazel Yeoman, and Margaret O’Connell. Mr Mann expressed whole-hearted admiration for the piece set. Not all the trios made the version quite as pointed as the composer intended, but the winning ensemble did so. They had nice pace and a very nice finish, and he admired their performance. SOLO, open, with pianoforte accompaniment and obbligato, own selection. Miss Marion Gubb, 72 points 1 Mr Frank Cherry, 70 points 2 The only competitors. SONG IN CHARACTER, over 16, own selection. Miss Marjory Steven, CS points ... 1 Miss Edith Gardiner, 63 points .... 2 Also competed; Miss Margaret Bachop. DANCING. Judge; Miss Betty Carnochan. CHARACTER DANCE, not to include Ballet, Greek, or Egyptian, under 14. Pamela Page, 80 points 1 Beverley Wix, 77 points ... 2 Netta Leader and June Marlowe, 73 paints (equal) 3 Highly commended: Valeric Brown, Shirley M'Corjnack (Oamaru), Joan Lunam, Gwen Wilson. Also competed: 'Moira Gray, Irene Leitch, Miriam Wilde (Green Island), Natalie Watson, Betty Peat. Shirley Stewart (Burnside). The winner succeeded in getting the spirit of abandon necessary -to interpret her characterisation, said Miss Carnochan. Hers was a very delightful performance. " SPECIAL AWARDS. The following additional special awards are announced;— Gold and silver-mounted oak tray, valued £ls 15s, presented by the Loudon Organ and Piano Company, to be held for one year by the winner of piano sight reading, 14-18—Miss Betty Naylor. Scholarship, valued £6 Cs, presented by Messrs Coulls, Somerville, and Wilkie Ltd., to winner of piano solo, 16-18—-Miss Kathleen Allan. Scholarship, valued £6 6s, presented by Messrs Charles Begg and Co. Ltd., to winner of piano solo, 14-16—Miss Marjorie Holdaway. Scholarship, valued £6 6s. presented by Messrs Charles Begg and Co. Ltd., to winner of vocal test —Miss Nanna Newey.

Cup presented by Miss E. J. de Carle to winner of lieder solo—Miss Muriel Calverley,