COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 25567, 21 August 1945, Page 3

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

SUCCESSFUL OPENING The forty-fourth annual festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society was officially opened last night by the Mayor, Air D. C. Cameron. The president, Dr James Thomson, was in the chair, and introduced the officials and visiting judges to the audience. It was a joy and pleasure to be present at the first peace-time competitions, said the Mayor. The victory which we had just celebrated meant that Christian virtues had been preserved and we were free to devote ourselves to the development of national and civic cultural and artistic activities. The competitions festival was of great educational value in the city. He congratulated the committee on its past successes, and welcomed the visiting competitors. Dr Thomson referred to the loss the society had suffered through the deaths of three members who had been ardent workers—Airs E. C. Reynolds, Air J. H. Walker, and Air W. H. Alackeiizie. The results of last night’6 competitions were as' follows : INSTRUMENTAL. Judge: Mr Ernest Empson. Piano Solo, under 11.—First, section : Shona Gale, So points, 1; Vivienne Leslie, 82, 2; Valda McArthur, 81, 3. Very highly commended: Maire Ross. Highly commended:,Judith Haig. Commended: Alice Faid and JeweJ Stewart. Nineteen competitors. Piano Duet. 12 and under 14, own selection.—Russell Ritchie, and Georgina Smith, 87. 1; Beverley Bridgman and Judith Scott, BG, 2; Murray Wyatt and R. Gilbert, 84, 3. Highly commended : Elaine Duncan and Lenore Gerry, Ann Alaclean and Rosemary Whitehead. Commended: Kathleen Burt and William Roberts. Thirteen competitors. The judge complimented Dunedin music teachers on their use of interesting material in this class. He was also glad to see that the works of several British composers had been chosen. The winning pair had given a good performance of an exacting composition

VOCAL. Air Victor Peters. Soprano Solo.—Aliss Jean Keen, 85 points, 1; Miss Noeline Aloody (Christchurch), 84, 2: Aliss Monica. AlcCauglian, S 3, .3. Very highly commended: Miss Doris Fraser (Alilton). Highly commended: Alisses Edna Thompson, Dorothy Cayford (Oamaru), Phyllis AlcOoskery (Waitahuna), Elizabeth Holmes, Claire Gilbert. Twenty-two competitors. The judge said this was a brilliant class, a great improvement on last year. The winner had sung with attractive artistry. National • Song, gentlemen, own selection.—Air Bryan Drake, 86 points, 1; Air Colin Sparrow, 84, 2; Mr H. A. Rickard. 83, 3. Highly commended: Messrs Trevor Ross (Palmerston), N. Larkins, W. J. Kerr (Waitahuna), J. Thomson. Fifteen competitors. The winner of this class, said the judge, had a fine resonant voice and sang with subtlety. The second competitor had an easy and effective style. Baritone Solo.—Air Bryan Drake, S 5 points, 1: Air J. Thomas, 82, 2; Air Walter (McDonald, 81, 3. Highly commended: Mr Colin Sparrow. Six competitors. Vocal Solo, with piano accompaniment and obbligato, open.—Aliss Rosaline Plank, 84 points, 1; Aliss Kay Mutimer, 83. 2. The only competitors.

ELOCUTION. Air W. J. Alountjoy

Character Recital, 12 and under 10. —Brian Parke, 93 points, 1; Olive Milburn, 92, 2; Alma- McAllan, 85, 3. Highly commended: Delia Higgins. Fourteen competitors. Sir Walter Scott (Recitation. —Aliss Alarv Hopewell (Christchurch), 71 points, 1; Aliss Beryl Herd, G 9,2; Aliss Doris Alelser, 08, 3. Very highly commended: Aliss Winifred Sanderson. Ten competitors. Humorous Recitation, girls 12 and under 10, own selection.—(Aliss Alma AlcAllan. 81, 1; Miss Lorna Patrick, 79, 2; Aliss Delia Higgins, 78. _ 3. Highly commended: Misses Noia AicEweu and Elma AlacAlillan. Twenty co m pe t i to rs.