TAIERI COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 24990, 8 October 1943, Page 5

TAIERI COMPETITIONS

COMMENT OF JUDGES The final stage in the Taieri Competitions Festival., which was hold last week, was the demonstration concert last night in the Coronation Hall, Mosgiel. At this function the prizes won at the Competitions were_ distributed by the mayor (Mr W. P. Hartstonge). There was a packed attendance, and the programme was a lengthy one. It consisted of items by the prize-winners, and vocal and instrumental numbers, national and stage dancing, elocution, choral work, playottes, and a one-act play were included. The whole combined to make a most enjoyable eute'rtainm'eiit. At an interval, the president (Rev. S. A. Grave) thanked all who had in nuv way assisted to make the festival such a success. The judges gave a brief commentary on the work placed before them, and complimented the society, particularly the officials, on the organisation of the competitions. Mr G. E. Wilkinson, judge of the vocal, choirs, violin, and piano, said it was interesting to compare the general standard of the 1943 festival with that attained in 1940, the last occasion in which he had adjudged. On the whole the choice of music attempted both in vocal and instrumental sections had improved. In piano sections thero was some very good work, showing evidence of sound teaching. Quite a number of competitors showed decided promise and 'the development of competent technique. Performers were characterised by definite signs of musicianship. On another occasion he would like to find more entrants in the higher grades. Teachers and pupils should bear in mind that in own selection classes there was no need to choose .arrangements of orchestral music when they had the whole range of real pianoforte music from which to make . a choice. The violin classes were not strongly contested nor was the standard particularly high. Competitors would be wise to choose selections well within their capacities, and so have more chance of giving a really finished performance. In vocal sections, both children's and adult classes, some good work was.presented. It was pleasing to find so many boys competing. They had in most instances been well taught, and showed that they could make good use of the head voice. More than one competitor showed very definite promise of developing into a very fine singer. In the action sections there was some delightfully charming work. .It was pleasing* to note an attempt being made to keep away from hackneyed selections. In choral work there were two classes with only one entrant in each. The children's choir gave some of the most pleasing work he had heard for a long time. The adult choir, drawn from a Women's Institute group, did good work. too. In other districts Women's Institutes had done a tremendous amount to foster active music-making, and it seemed that there was a fertile field waiting to be opened up and developed in the Taieri district, apart altogether from any effect that such might have upon a local competition festival.

Miss E. Lungley, judge of the elocution, playettes, and plays, said she found the standard of the elocution and plays highly satisfactory. It was very gratifying to see the work that had so obviously been done by both competitors and teachers. She hoped that the criticisms made would at all times be constructive. With such material as she had the pleasure of judging, she was convinced that the Taieri Competitions would go from •strength to strength, and. she wished the society every success in this important work. •■ Miss. Lily Stevens, judge of the stage dancing, commenting on the j Work placed before her, said she would like to impress on the minds of all dancers that thev must study technique much more than thev were doing, otherwise the standard of. dancing in general would not improve. In learning the pianoforte the rudiments of music and the practising of scales were essential. That was why, to her mind, the singing and instrumental arts were so much ahead of dancing—they were given more time theoretically. Dancing pupils expected to learn a little dance without considering- that they would also have to undergo a thorough training in the basic fundamentals. This done, the pupil was ready to be taught a dance. The competitors who appeared before her gave of their best, according to their present knowledge. Their parents and friends deser\ed a word of praise for bringing the children from hear and far to take part and in selecting such pretty frocks. Miss Stevens congratulated the society in having associated with it ah energetic band of officials. Encouragement of amateur art brought untold benefit to the talent of the competitors. Mrs J. Casev, judge of the national dancing, was delighted at the record entry. The juniors showed most promise" and deserved every encouragement. The standard of the more advanced competitors could have been hetter, but on the whole the national dancing section was very satisfactory. ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PRIZES. Special prize donated " Anonymous " for best accompanist for vocal solo with accompanist, Miss June Valpy and Miss Joyce McGregor (equal). Mrs J. Tregilgus's special for local competitor with most points in juvenile vocal, Miss Audrey Edmorid. Mrs F. Cameron's special for Mosgiel competitor with most points in juvenile elocution, Miss Valma Lobb, Master Harold Campbell, and Master Ronald Lobb (equal). Eric Gordon memorial medal for local competitor with highest aggregate marks in national dancing classes. Miss Violet Price.

Miss Lungley and Mr Wilkinson's special for action duet under 15, Misses Yvonne McPherson and Corinne Conley.