COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1933, Page 2

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

OPENING DAY’S RESULTS.

The first day of the West Coast Competitions Society s tw enty-sixth annual festival was held yesteida ,■ the Town Hall and Trinity Institu . The attendances were only fan'Prior to the commencement of th programme in the Town Hal t - evening, the official opening and v elcome to the judges took place. i Peggv Carroll, L.T.C.L., official accompaniste, played the National Anthem. The Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslale, said it gave him. particular pleas a as an old competitor, at the G eymouth Competitions, to . assaciat ®J _f„; self with the Society in the official opening of the festival, and in welcoming the judges. He the great value of the competition., not only to those taking part but the whole district, and referred to the friendly club rivalry associated with the competitions. The Rivals weie an undoubted asset to the district, and he expressed a hope that the suppoi t of the general public would make it possible for them to continue In view of the financial position ot the Society, he appealed to the public to give their wholehearted support to the festivajl. The educational value ot the competitions could not be too highly stressed, and the entertainment provided was of the best. He wished the judges an enjoyable time, and expressed a hope that the festival would be highly successful. The President of the Society, Mr M. Keating extended a warm welcome to the judges. Mrs. Triggs had not judged on the Coast before, but he felt sure she would appreciate the work of the competitors and the hospitality of the people. Mr W. Yilliamson was not unknown on the Coast and his capabilities were fully appreciated. Mr Lester was on Ins first visit, as a. judge, to Greymouth, and he came with the highest recommendations as a judge, and as a performer. H© hoped that the awaids of the judges would be accepted in the spirit in which they were made, and that the judges would be treated as appreciatively as in the past. In concluding, he appealed to the public for support, and asked those present to do what they could to induce others to patronise the festival. All the judges spoke a few words in reply to the welcome extended by the President. Mr Williamson said he had a message to convey to the Society and to all his friends from Mr J. F. Wilson, of Christchurch, a former secretary of the Society, and an old competitor. Mr AVilson was quite well, and his only regret was that he could not be present at the competitions. However, he wished them every success.

Mr Lester said he would endeavour to treat the competitors as kindly as possible, for he realised that more harm than good was done by severe public criticism. Mrs Triggs thanked the Mayor and the President for their kind remarks, and wished the Society every success. Later in the evening, when making his awards, Mr Sidney Williamson, the music judge, remarked on the liberties sometimes taken by accompanists. This was noticeable _in some respects in one section during the afternoon. A great deal depended on the accompaniment, of a song, and if wrongly or badly played, the spirit of the song was missed. Awards made yesterday afternoon, after the “Star” went to press were:—

AFTERNOON SESSION. Senior Men’s Prepared Reading. Men 21 years and over. “Marie Antoinette”: —A. H. Paterson 90pts, 1; T. Tarrant 88pts, 2; J. H. Keddie and M. James 79pts, 3. H.C.: I. Nelson. Also competed: A. L. McKay, 0. Morris, F. R. Sharplin, L. Phillips, P. Williamson, R. Tilleyshort, K. Griffen, I. Mcllroy, T. Duffy.

The Judge said the reading had been very good, and none had' been really poor. The winner had given the piece as he (the Judge) imagined the author would have.

Senior Men’s Sight Reading, men 21 years and over:—l. Nelson 94pts, 1; T. Tarrant 83pts, 2; A. H. Paterson SOpts, 3. H.C.: 0. Morris and J. H. Keddie 78pts. Also competed: F. R Sharplin, K. Griffen, P. Blanchfleld, P. Williamson, I. Mcllroy, M. James, L. Phillips, R. Tilleyshort, T. Duffy. The Judge said that this section had again been a great one. All the readers had done remarkably well, and he would be surprised if the standard was maintained in the men’s other elocution items. He had chosen an excerpt from a play, the readers to take the parts of two different players, and the winner could not have done it better had he memorised the piece. He had given a wonderful reading. Sean Triubhais, Jujiior (under 10): —Vald'a Rouse 75pts, 1; Zeta Austin 7-lpts, 2; Jessie Bell 71pts, 3. H.C.: Leoni Michel. Also competed: Vonnie Goodall, Ada Marley, Thelma Spark.

Vocal Solo, own selection. Any voice. For competitors over 16 years, who have never won a first prize in an adult class. Recalls: Miss Alma Quinn (Blackball), “The Sea Hath Its Pearls,” Miss D. Leggoe (Ikamatua), “Golden Slumber.” Also competed: Mr F. Stevens (Christchurch), “Invictus,” Monica O’Reilly “Golden Dancing Days,” Doreen Donovan “My Dear Soul,” Miss M. V. Chapman, “Thoughts have Wings,” Zona Elliott “Invitation.” Miss Frances Lee (Westport) was unable to be present in the afternoon, and it was decided that she compete with the recalled competitors in the evening. Operatic Dance, under 10: Recalls; Viv. Heenan (Hokitika), Zeta Austin. H.C.: Vonnie Goodall, P. Gifkins, Leoni Michel. Also competed: M. Walker, Dodo Moss, Ada Marley, Jessie Bell, 'Shirley Andrews (Hokitika). Vocal Solo, own selection. Girls under 12 years:—Recalls: May Halliday (Runanga), “Big Lady Moon,” Marie Casey “Silver Ferns.” Also competed: Zeta Austin "I’m Longing for the Spring,” Vonnie McDonnell “Rockabye Baby.” Character Dance, 10 years and under 14:—Recalls: Doug. Shepherd (Christchurch) “Coon,” M. Hawthorn “Peter Pan’s Shadow,” June Heenan (Hokitika) “The Untamed One,” Kath Thomson “Indian Huntress.” Also competed: Imelda Austin “Golden Idol,” Jacq. Reeves “Hungarian Gypsy,” Mabel Hogg “Golliwog,” June Shepherd (Christchurch), “Burlington Bertie.” Ruth Stewart “Pantomime Clown.” Nola O’Loughlin “Hungarian,” Eileen Hamilton “Russian,” Nocline Orange “Jockey,” Monica Sinnott “Trepak,” D. Hazeldine “Creole, v I'. Thomas “Chinese,” Heather Wright “Russian.”

Shakespearean Recitation. “The Forum Scene” from Julius Caesar. Men, 16 years and over. Recalls: I. Nelson, A. H. Paterson. Also competed: F. Stevens (Christchurch)), M.

James, J. H. Keddie, P. Williamson, I. Mcllroy, R. Tilleyshort, T. Tarrant, K. Griffen.

EVENING SESSION

Chief Pianoforte Solo, open (a) Ist Movement Sonata Op. 2G (Beethoven), (b) Rondo (Mozart); (c) Etude, Op. 25, No. 7 (Chopin).—Miss Gwen Jacobs (Hokitika). . ~ The Judge, Mr Williamson, said the only performer had given a very capable performance, well meriting a first prize. He said it was a great pity there were not more competitors. Sean Triubhais, 10 and under 13 years, final.—Jessiraa Holt, 73pts., 1; Jacqueline Reeves, 72, 2. The Judge, Mrs Triggs, said the section was rather disappointing, though the deportment and hand work had been good throughout. Both the recalled competitors had danced with ease and grace. Operatic Dance, under 16 years, final. —Zita Austin, 75, 1; Viv. Heenan, 74, 2. The Judge, Mrs Triggs, said this section had been very good. The winner had danced with good expression, and her technique had been good throughout. Shakespearean Recitation, men lb years and over. Final. —I. Nelson, 83 1; A. H. Patterson, 78, 2. Afternoon marks: T. Tarrant, 78; h.c., F. Stevens (Christchurch) 77 points. The Judge, Mr Lester, said the section had been good, and the scene on the whole had been well done. The competitor placed second had not done so well in the evening, as he had been ahead in the day time. The highly commended competitor was rather young for the part. Shakespearean Dialogue. “Macbeth”. Act 11, Scene 11, Lady and gentleman. Final. —Miss V. Richardson and Mr P. McGrath. 79, 1; Miss M. Bond and Mr P. McGrath, 77, 2; Miss P. Bond and Mr P. McGrath, 75, 3. Only competitors.

The Judge, Mr Lester, said it was a pity there were no other men to take places in the dialogue, as he felt sure there were many capable of taking the part. Mr McGrath had acted with the three ladies, and had been, on each occasion, very good and . helpful. Though his performances had not all been on a par. he had treated them as such, and had paid particular attention to the ladies, as the section counted in the ladies’ aggregate prize. The difficulty of the scene was not in the lines, but in the acting and the winner had succeeded in putting more into her part.

Vocal Solo, own selection. Any voice. Competitors over 16 years, who have never won a first prize in an adult class. Final. —Miss D. Leggoe “Golden Slumber”, 87, 1; Miss Alma Quinn, “The Sea Hath Its Pearls” 84, 2. This section said the Judge. Mr Williamson was not a good one. The winner was the possessor of a fine voice and was quite artistic. She had sung very nicely. The young lady placed second also had a fine artistic voice, and should do well.

Vocal Solo, own selection. Girls under 12 years. Final.—May Halliday, “Big Lady Moon” 81, 1; Marie Casey, “Silver Ferns” 72, 2. The winner, said the Judge, bad a sweet and promising voice, but was a little, tired in the evening, and did not sing as well as in the afternoon. If care was taken that she was not spoiled, she would do very well. The second placed competitor had a fine voice, but nervousness was her trouble, and she was inclined to go out of tune.

TO-DAY’S SESSIONS. The following awards were made before the “Star” went to press today:— Highland Fling, 10 and under 13 years:—Final: Imelda Austin 78pts, 1; Althea Jackson 75pts, 2; Jessima. Holt 74pts, 3. H.C.: Kath Thomson, Monica Sinnott, Margaret Hawthorn. Also competed: Mabel Hogg, Noeline Orange, Annie Gallon, Jean Gloss, Thelma Smith, Npla O’Loughlin, Ruth Stewart, Eileen Hamilton. Mae Stewart, Helen McLean, D. Hazeldine, P. Thomas, Gladys McKenzie. Sword Dance. Junior (under 10): — Final: Valda Rouse 75pts, 1; Jessie Bell 72pts, 2; Zeta Austin 71pts, 3. H.C.: Thelma Spark. Also competed: Ada Marley, Vonnie Goodall, Leoni Michel.

Sailor’s Hornpipe, 10 and under 13 years:—Recalls: Noeline Orange, Jessima Holt. Also competed: Nola O’Loughlin, Una Clark, G. McKenzie, Helen McLean, Jacq. Reeves, M. Hawthorn, Mabel Hogg, Althea Jackson, Ruth Stewart, P. Thomas, D. Hazeldine, M. Sinnott, Kath Thomson. Pianoforte Reading at Sight, under 16 years:—Jean Duggan (Runanga) 79pts, 1; Star Chalk 77pts, 2. Also competed: Gladys Rose (Christchurch), Barbara McDougall, Valerie Nightingale. Prepared Reading, “A Rill from the Town Pump.” Boys and girls, 12 years and' under 16. Girls—Joan Wasley 1; Viv. Hogg and Ida McDonald, equal, 2; Gladys Rose (Christchurch) 3. 11. C.: Sylvia Sanders (Hokitika), Nancy McKane. Also competed: Kath. Plever (Timaru), Edna Gilmore, Doris Willis, Zelda Peters, Mary McDonnell, Margaret Shrives, Pat. McGrath. Boys— Ernest Turner 77pts, 1; Teddy McDonnell 74pts, 2; Ray Nelson 3. H.C.: Percy Willis, Keith Boel. Recital to Music, own selection (not humorous). Men 21 years and over: — Recalls: J. H. Keddie “Swandalaya,” T. Tarrant. “All Along o’ Bein’ Kind.” I. Nelson “Old Man River.” H.C.: W. Gieseking “Playmate.” Also competed: F. Williamson “Twenty Gallons of Sleep.” R. Tilleyshort “Devil May Care,” L. Phillips “Open Spaces,” K. Griffen “The Old Bachelor,” P. Blanchfield “The Hurdy Gurdy Man,” O. Morris “The Roads,” I. Mcllroy “Open Spaces.” _ , Impromptu Speech. Men, 16 years and under 21. Subject, “The Seddou Shield”:—J. Daniel Slpts. 1; C. Parfitt SOpts, 2: G. Long 79pts, 3. H.C.: B. Dargan, E. Casey, J. Keddie, M. Morel. Also competed: R. Taylor. Oration, own selection. Girl or hoy, under 16: Teddy McDonnell “Lord Bledislce’s address at the opening of Silvers!ream,” Slpts, .1: Ernest Turner 79pts, 2; Miss Gladys Rose (Christchurch) “Lloyd George,” 77pts, 3. Only competitors.

Oration. own selection. Men. 16 years and' under 21:—-Final: R. Kiely 87pts, 1; A. Gilligan 86pts, 2; F. Stevens (Christchurch) Blpts, 3. Also competed: J. Daniel, J. Gough. E. Casey, C. Parfitt, R. Taylor, M. Morel, R. Harvey, J. Keddie.

Pianoforte Reading al. Sight. 16 years and over, final: Mavis Carruthers Slpts, 1; Sheila McSherrv 78pts, 2; Jessie MeNie.Jl. 77pts, 3. Also competed: Valerie Nightingale.

Shakespearean Dialogue. “Much Ado About Nothing,” Act 111., Scene I. Two ladies. Final: Misses V. Richardson and M. Bond Slpts, 1; Misses IVI. and P. Bond 79pts, 2. Only competitors. Piano Solo, 12 and under 14 years.