THE COMPETITIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 September 1927, Page 2

THE COMPETITIONS

RECORD ATTENDANCES The attendances at the Competitions third day, yesterday, proved a record for the present~Festival. In the afternoon the Town Hall was packed to excess, whilst at night there was standing room only. An entertaining programme was dealt with at both the afternoon and evening sessions. The chief attraction for the afternoon was the Girls’ Character Song, in which sixteen competed. Some Of the characters, and their stafeihg, were excellently done. Those responsible for the work, in connection'with the preparation'of the various dressings, deserve the congratulations of all, seeing that to win the first prize of half a guinea numbers of the competitors’ parents and teachers must have spent pounds in order to. put the tiny performer on the stage with all the necessary dress ing for their character. The judge, Mr. Will Hutchens, was loud in his praise of the section. The character of the work of those recalled left no room tor doubt as to who was entitled to a recall, and in the final at night, no doubt as to the winner.

The evening programme was principally a finalising of the sections heard during the day, with the addition of the Children’s Choir Contest, the Baritone Test, the Mouth Organ Solo, and Pronunciation Test. The programme proved good entertainment the standard of all the performers being high, and well varied. The session did not finish till 11,-30 o’clock owing to the number of competitors in the pronunciation test; 20, being many in excess of those anticipated. The audience howeVer “sat it out,” and' evidently enjoyed hearing the mispronunciations made by each competitor in turn. The Mouth Organ solo proved an interesting contest, only three competing. The winner, D. Galbraith, treated the audience to a variety of selections and showed wonderful facility for playing the instrument. The baritone test “Pagan” was -contested by three young singers, the winner, Mr. Eric Johnstone securing victory fairly easily. In the choir contest, the Grey Technical School Choir, the only entrants, gave a creditable performance. The subject of the impromptu speech “How to be happy though married,” proved interesting, some ' good humour being introduce d. Of. the three seniors recalled, one, Mr. ji.' M. Robertson dealt seriously with the subject and made a good speech. Messrs P. Doogan and W. P. McCarthy dealt with • the subject humorously, from a man’s viewpoint. The following ‘ were the classes dealt with at yesterday afternoon’s session, after the Star had gone to press, and last evening.

AFTERNOON SESSION Violin Solo “Seconde Romance’’ (Berthold Tours) 13 to 16 years. There were only two competitors, Desmond Fogarty and Willie Ritchie. The judge placed them: D. Fogarty SOpts. 1, W. Ritchie 78pts. 2. The judge said both young boys had given a fair reading of the selection and he hoped the Society would award both a first and second prize. He had been pleased with the quality of the work, but not with the quantity of it. He was surprised to notice the tendency to learn io play the piano and to leave the orchestral iristruirients severely alone. The violin, ’cello, viola, and clarinet were all worth learning as there was so much pleasure to be derived from playing in company, rather than from playing alone. Girls’ Character Song (own selec-

tion) girls under 16—This section was divided irito two —one for girls over nine, and one for those nine and under. In the former section the competitors were' Cecilia Keating, Phyllis Eestleaux, Margaret James, Joan Robinson, Gladys Higsoir, Alva Dunsheh, Doreen Donovan,' Ella Page, Monica Walshe, Aris McEwin, M. Shields and-Alice Radcliffe.--Those c6mpeting‘'ttiidef i 'in the nine Betty Gallanan, Melva-Moss an'(FT>. Robins. The recalls'in the section for’/those over 9 were -Alice Hlgson, Doreen Donovan, Alice Radcliffe and for those

nine and under, B. Callanan and Melva) Moss.

Commenting on the section, the judge‘said it had certainly been entertaining, and the characters had bn the whole been well sustained. In a character song two matters had to be taken into account—the dressing and the voice. While most of the characters had good dressing, the voices were not always up to the mark. How ever the section had been dainty and had provided an excellent programme. Recitation, “Three Foxes,” boys 9 and under 12 —The following competed: Stan McDonnell, Keith McMaster, H. Greenwood, G. Fogarty, P. McGavin, J. Keating, W. Clancy, W. O’Leary, M. Gough*, P. Gilligan. The recalls were H. Greenwood, G. Fogarty and P. McGavin. The’judge said he was rather disappointed with the section, the competitors had not taken the selection brightly enough. ; Senior Men’s Impromptu Speech— Those who competed were: A. Parkinson, I. Nelson, P. Doogan, C. Neville, C. Carmine, E. I. Lord, S. McKay, F. Whibley, J. Booth, M. Daly, W. Murray, M. Keating, D. M. Robertson. P.» Williamson, W. P. McCarthy, A. McCarthy, C. O’Neill, F. Turley. Recalls: P. Doogari,' D. M. Robertson and W. P. McCarthy. The s'ubject for the Speech was “Success in life, and how to achieve it.” The judge remarked

that he had listened to several good speeches, and in announcing his recalls, highly commended C. A. Carmine, E. I. Lord, M. Daly, W. D. Murray and M. Keating.

EVENING SESSION Pianoforte Duet “Hungary,”—The recalls were, Misses Mary Warren and Jessie Pope, and Misses M. Topliss and H. Lawn. In placing them at night the judge said the last pair to play had led in the morning, but went back at night, owing to an unfortunate lapse of memory. The award was: Mary Warren and Jessie Pope 71pts. I, M. Topliss and Hazel Lawn 70pts. 2. Mr. Hutchens’ said he was frankly disappointed. He was sorry to notice some scrambling work, a want of balance in the ensemble, and some wrong notes. Girls’ Character Song, own selection —The recalls were, nine years and under: B. Callanan “Powder Puff,” Melva Moss “Little Dutch Doll,” and over nine years, “Alice Higson “Lackaday,” Doreen Donovan “In an OldFashioned Garden,” Alice Radcliffe, “My Crinoline.” In making his award in the nine and. under section, the judge placed Betty Callanan 91pts. 1, Melva Moss 85pts 2. In the section over nine, the placing was, Doreen Donovan 103pts. 1, Alice Radcliffe 95pts 2, Alice Higson 91pts 3. The judge said the three competitors in the over nine section had given three of the best performances he had ever seen, fit for a London stage. He awarded a* maximum of 20 points for character. The winner had gained that maximum. The competitor placed second, had been awarded 19 points for character. While the characterisation and voices had been all he could wish, the diction unfortunately had not, and on that score he had noted a number of faulty pronunciations on the mark sheets of the various competitors. Senior Men’s Monologue. The recalls from the day session were: J. McGrath “The Last Bottle”; W. McGrath “Open Spaces”; A. Parkinson "Is Pipe”; and P. J. McGrath “The Madman’s Will.”

The judge’s award was: W. McGrath 91pts 1; A. Parkinson 88pts 2; J. McGrath and P. J. McGrath 87pts equal, 3. He said the winner had given a good an abstract selection. The competitor who was second had given a nice quiet rendering of a nice monologue. Mr P. McGrath and Mr J. A. McGrath did not quite sustain interest all through. The section had been a very good one all through. Senior Men’s Impromptu Speech: The three recalled from the. afternoon Messrs P. Doogan, D. M. Robertson, and W. P. McCarthy were placed as follows on their evening performance: W. P. McCarthy 65pts 1; D. M. Robertson 59pts 2; P. Doogan 48pts 3. The judge said the speeches at night did not reach the standard of those of the afternoon. Pianoforte Solo “Fairy Dance.” Recalls, Kath Fauth, Molly Crough, Ray Nelson, Zita Munson, Margaret Compton.

The judge placed the finalists as follows: Zita Munson 83pts 1; Kath Fauth 76pts 2; M. Crough and RayNelson 74pts, equal, 3. He said the winner’s performance stood out- from the rest. The only member of the sterner sex, Ray Nelson, to compete, had done very well. Ladies’ Shakespearian Dialogue, “Twelfth Night,” Act IV, -Scene IV. The competitors were Misses Nita and Freda Hopkins, and Misses Adria Bush and Kath. Fogarty. The judge placed Misses Bush and Fogarty, 71pts 1; Misses Nita and Freda Hopkins 66pts 2. The winners, he said, had given an even performance, and there was no doubt about their having gained first place. Recitation “The Three Foxes,” boys 9 and under 12. Recalls: Horace Greenwood, Geoff Fogarty, and P. MeGavin (Hokitika). The award was Geoff Fogarty 67pts 1; P. McGavin 66pts 2; H. Greenwood G3pts 3. Children’s Choir Contest “Ah Could I With Fancy Stray” (test, and own selection). The Technical School Choir (holders of Beath baton)/ own selection, “The Spring Song” w.ere awarded 79pts on the test selection, and 76 on the own selection. The judge - said the singing had been up to a good standard, and intonation had been good throughout. Baritone Test “Pagan” (Herman Lohr), men 16 and over. Three competed, E. Johnston, W. McNaughton, and R. Nash. The award was Eric Johnston 71pts 1; W. McNaughton 69pts 2; R. Nash 60pts 3. The judge was evidently not much impressed by the section as he did not make any lengthy comment on it.

Probably the competitors will find their criticisms full and helpful to them. They were all young men who were making their first attempt at a Competition Test and deserved some credit for their pluck in attempting a song of the standard of “Pagan.” The winner possesses a promising voice and should do well with a little more experience. ’ Junior Men’s Test Recitation “Men of the English Race.” The recalls from the morning were T. Tarrant, G. Brown, R. Tilleyshort, and J. Phillips. * ■ ■ ■ '

In announcing his award: T. Tarrant 77pts 1; J. Phillips 74pts 2; G. Brown and R. TilleyshOrt 73pts, equal 3, the judge said tire young men had given good performances. All were promising reciters. The winner had given a good recitation, that of the second being quite creditable. Mouth Organ Solo. There were three competitors, D. Galbraith, S. Compton, and A. Parkinson, all of whom showed some familiarity with the instrument. On the whole the performances were pleasing from the audience’s point, judging by the applause which hailed the announcement that the coinpetition would take place, and that lavished on the three performers. The judge placed the competitors as follows: D. Galbraith 75pts 1; S. Compton 72pts 2; A. Parkinson 68pts 3.

Mr Montague raised a good laugh by suggesting the horror with which Mr Hutchens’ Professor at the Royal .Academy would view one of his old pupils judging a mouth organ solo! Mr Hutchens said he had listened to a variety of selections from Grand Opera, and hymns to the latest jazz. He had to confess that he did not quite know what to look for, but had treated each performance as a whole and awarded marks accordingly. Pronunciation Test. This was competed for by twenty entrants, all of whom faced the ordeal bravely and enjoyed the temporary discomfort occasioned by standing before the audience and hearing the ring of the judges” bell each time a word was mis-

pronounced. It may be said that the bell rang oftener than not, as each competitor warily pronounced the words which were set out on a sheet fixed on the wall of the stage, within the clear view of the audience. Thirteen men and seven girls took part and must have found the experience a bit of a “thriller.”

The words submitted were thirty in number comprising the following: acumen, gist, flaccid, allies, indisputable, conversant, respite', deficit,' posse, municipal, inexplicable, indicted, irrevelant, mesdames, despicable, mulcted, impotent, indissoluble, privacy, orgy, longevity, spontaneity, hospitable, applicable, scion, interstices, inveigle, decade, minuet, coadjutor. The winner was Mr Ray Bunt, who made seven mistakes in the thirty words, Mr W. McGrath was second having ten mistakes and Miss Bush third with twelve mistakes. The audience followed the proceedings closely and were treated to some humour when Mr Hutchens appeared on the stage to go through his facings He started off well and received much encouragement from Mr Montague, who ejaculated “capital,” “splendid” etc., as each word was correctly pronounced. Mr Hutchens had to go the way of all flesh, however, and made a lapse whereat the lights in the hall went out momentarily and there were peals of laughter. Mr Montague announced that Mr Hutchens was not to get the prize “even if he won it,’* remarking that he wanted the money kept in town, to which Mr Hutchens retorted, “we are taking enough away as it is!” The interest in the Test was held till the last competitor had had his try. MORNING’S SESSION. The sections, taken this morning were the Senior Men’s Sight Reading, the Senior Men’s Shakespearian Recitation, the Pianoforte Solo, “To the Spring” for girls and boys 14 and under 16, and the Men’s Humorous Song.

The judge selected a piece for the Sight Reading which “found out” many of the men readers’ words such as “vacillating,” “perspicacity,” “pusillanimous,” innocuous,” and “acoustic,” providing the Waterloo of most of the readers.

Pianoforte Solo “To the Spring” (Greig). The competitors were Gwen Jacobs (Hokitika), Monica Walshe. (Ikamatua), Noelle Dunford, Hazel Lawn, Maida Topliss, Vonne Miller, Mary Warren and Thomas Shaw.

The recalls were: Gwen Jacobs, Monica Walshe ami Hazel Lawn. In the Sight Reading the following competed: L. Anderson, W. P. McCarthy, F. Turley, A. Parkinson, P. McGrath, P. Williamson, ' C. A. Carmine, I. Nelson, T. Learmont, J. H. Keddie, W. D. Murray, J. A. McGrath, M. Keating, W. Gieseking, W. McGrath, H. Trouland, C. O’Neill, D. M. Robertson, and I. Mcllroy. The judge made his award as follows: I. Nelson 72pts 1; W. P. McCarthy 68pts 2; C. O’Neill 65pts 3.

The judge highly commended A. Parkinson, P. McGrath, W. Gieseking, W. McGrath. Shakespearian Recitation, men, “Othello’s Defence,’’ “Othello,” Act 1., Scene 111.

The competitors were P. McGrath, J. A. McGrath, W. McGrath, P. Williamson, I. Nelson, T. Learmont, C. Williams, H. Jamieson, C. Carmine, L. Anderson, J. McGrath, C. O’Neill, P. Doogan, H. Trouland and J. W. Greenslade. The recalls were: I. Nelson, W. McGrath, J. W. Greenslade, P. McGrath, C. O’Neill. The Judge highly commended T. Learmont, J. McGrath and P. Williamson.

Men’s Humorous Song, own selection. Only one competitor faced the Judge, C. V. Goddard, who sang “The Mistress of the Master.” He was awarded a second prize. AFTERNOON SESSION.

There was another good attendance at the Town Hall this afternoon. The sections heard there were the Ladies’ Shakespearian Recitation and Ladies’ own selection song. In Trinity Hall, the Senior Men’s Prepared Reading was taken.

Ladies’ Shakespearian Recitation, “As You Like It,” Act 111, Scene V. The competitors were Misses M. Phillips, E. Ryan, B. Cornwall, N. Hopkins, A. Bush, K. .Fogarty, E. Coakley and K. Williams. The Judge recalled Misses N. Hopkins, A. Bush, and K. Fogarty, and highly commended Misses B. Cornwall and E. Coakley.