COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Grey River Argus, 28 August 1928, Page 6

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL. Opened Yesterday. The annual festival of the West Coast Competitions Society opened at the Town Hall yesterday morning, and attracted good audiences throughout the day and evening sessions. The entries in all sections compare favourably with those of previous years, the musical section showing a notable increase in the number of competitors. A feature of the elocutionary classes is the inclusion of own selection recitations with the text recitals. Gold medals have been offered for the best all round musician, the most promising vocalist, and the most promising pianiste. A gold medal ha.s also been donated by Messrs Chappell and Co. Ltd., for a class to sing “A Song Remembered. ’ ’

The Judges are Messrs W. Meld rum. S.M. (Greymouth), Oratory and Debating; Clement May (Wellington), Elocution; and IL Temple White (Wellington), Vocal and Instrumental Music. The festival was officially declared open by the President of the Society, Mr IT. F. Doogan at the beginning of the evening session. In introducing the judges, Mr Doogan mentioned that Mr White had visited Greymouth two years ago, and the Society had taken the first opportunity of getting him again. Mr May was paying his first visit to .the Coast, and he (the speaker) trusted that jt would be an enjoyable one. Mr Meldrum was weilknown to them and did not need any introduction.’ He added (jocularly): To some of you he may be too well known. (Laughter.) He asked that th? judges be excused from responding till later, on account of .the lengthy programme. Details are as follows: —

I'repared Reading. “The Two Roads, ” meh 16 and under 21.—T. Tarrant 96pts 1, O. Morris 90pts 2, R. Phillips 89pts 3. Also competed: L. Phillips, F. Simmonds, R. Tilleyshort. J. O’Donnell, J. Riordan. The Judge, Mr May, said the winner had given a nice reading, infusing proper feeling into .the lines, bringing out the meaning. Ladies’ Sharespearian Reading, “Henry ¥111,” qualifying item for the Gilbert Rose Bowl; ladies 16 and over.—Mrs E. J. Kiely 83pts 1, Mis 9 D. O’Hallahan 81pts 2. Miss A. Bush BOpts 3. Also comp?ted: Mrs C. Moss.

The Judge said there had been a tendency with a'l the readers to recite rather than to read. The reading, however, had on the whole, been good. The competitor placed second had a nice voice, hut it was essential that colour be made use of. Ladies’ Restricted Recitation. “Lady of Castlonoire,” ladies 16 and over, who have never won a first prize. The competitors were: Mesdames C. Moss and E. J. Kiely, Misses Richardson, K. Shannahan, D. Marshall, and B. Cornwall. Recalls: M’-s Kiely. Misses Cornwall and Marshall. On? competitor had missed the gorgeous rhythm of the selection, remarked .the Judge. While the grammar of the competitors had been commendable, tHe recitals had lack <1 vitality. Ladies’ Sight Reading, ladies 16 and over.—Miss M. Parfitt 91pts 1, Miss B. Vealo 86pts 2 Miss A. Bush 85pts 3. Also competed: Mrs C. Moss, Mi ses 1). O’Hallahan. M. Phillips. The selection was from “Evangeline” (Longfellow). Th? Judge complimented the winner on an excellent performance. She had coloured the lines appropriately.

Junior Men’s Sight Reading, m?n 16 and under 21.—T. Tarrant and O. Morris, 90pts, equal, 1; L. Phillips 88pts 2; R. Tilleysho t F. Simmonds and J. O’Donnell 78pts, equal, 3. The piece selected was from the leading article in the Christchurch 4 ‘Press” of last Saturday. Th? judge said the reading hafl been good. Three had done so well that he had decided to bracket two of them for first place.

Humorous Recitations. own selection; m?n 16 years and over. The recalls were Messrs H. Trouland, “The Farmyard Romeo;” P. McGrath, “John Davidson,” J. H. Keddie, “Irish Guards’ Recruit.” Also competed: Messrs R. Phillips, “Yawcob Straubs;’’ P. Williamson, “On Strike;” T. Lcarmont, “Nell;” W. McGrath, “The Waxworks Watchman;” A. McCarthy, “Rubenstein;” and I. Mcllroy, “Tambarura.” A story might be humorous to th ' author, said the judge in his criticism, but if a competitor were not blessed with a sense of humour, the sense of the selection was wasted. A sens' of humour was a gift. In this section some of the stories were humorous, but some of the competitors failed, to bring out the humour. Movements of .th 3 hands as well as the voice, all helped. In giving his decisifen, he was taking into consideration the type of story. Vocal Solo (own selection). Section divided into two: (a) Over nine years and under 16; (b) those nine and under. The recalls in Section A were:. Merle Byrne, “Break o’ Day;” Margaret James, “Little Lady of the Moon;” Alice Radcliffe, “Th? Valley of Laughter;” Gladys Hyson, “Farewell.” In Section B, Phyllis Restieaux, “The Swallows-” Melva Moss, “To a Miniature;” Colleen Phillips, “Slumber Sea” were recalled. Highly commended: Muriel Rafferty, “Lullaby Land;” Nellie Palmer, “Mother Machree;” Peggy Forsyth. “Wondering Why;” Mary McGirr, “The Blackbird’s Song;” C. Keating, “Hanging Out the Clothes;” Betty Callanan, “I’m Longing for the Spring. ’ ’ The judge complimented the performers on the excellence, of their performances. It was a very pleasant task judging them. A difficult task was set him to separate the competitors. The standard set was very high. Junior Oration (own selection), men 16 and under 21.—The recalls were: Messrs O. “•The Master Builder;” R. Titteyshort, “The War;” J. O’Donnell, “Act of Union;” T. Tarrant, “Freedom.” Also competed: L. Phillips, “The Mad?r Builder;” F. Simmonds, “The Master Builder.” Humorous Song (own selection), gentleman or lady. 16 years and over: The recalls were Misses M. Coburn, “John”; B. Adkins, “Doubtful Jane”; M. Bald, “Non e So Pretty.” Highly commended, Mr T. Clarke, “The Little Irish Girl.” Also competed: Misses W. Barrett, “Tit for Tat”; C. Ellisonl “Catch Me”; Mesdames C. Benton. “Little Mary Fawcett”; J. A. Peever. “It’s Very Vexin’.”

The judge, Mr White, commented on the fact that the competitors failed, to bring out the humour of the pieces, humour of the pieces. Ladies’ Oration (own selection). 16 years and over: The recalls were Misses D. O’Hallahan. “The Master Builder”;

Mr C. Moss, “The Unknown Soldier”; Miss A. Bush* “General Bird wood on the Anzacs. ” Also competed: Misses M. Phillips. “English Self-Esteem”: Mrs E. J. Kiely, “Courage.” Pronunciation Test, boys 16 years and under: Master O. Morris 1. Master B. MeDiarmid 2, Master T. Learmont 3. Miss F. Collogan also competed. EVENING SESSION. Details of the performances and r'suits announced at« the evening session are as follows: Pianoforte Duet, “March M.ilitaire” (Schubert); gentlemen and ladies 16 y?ars anc), ovet —Misses S. McSherry anj P. Carroll, 77pts, 1; Misses M. and P. CarroU, 73pts, 2. The judge said it was fitting that a work of Schubert was chosen in view of the fact that .this year there had been celebrated the centenary of his death. Those placed first were not altogether clear in their work, bur they had generally given a good interpretation. Those placed second had good ensemble and technique, but were lacking in rhythm and tempo, and were not very steady.

Vocal Solo (girls under 16); final. — M. vo Moss 75pts 1; Joyce Steel 73ptf 2; Muriel Rafferty h.c. The judge said that all the competitors were very good, and it was a pleasure to judge them. The competitor placed first had a very good delivery. The little girl placed second had one fault: she was inclined .to keep her teeth too close together. •’®! Vo.?al solo (glr’j under 16) B seo tion, Alic? Radcliff? 78pts, 1: Margaret James 75pts 2; Meric Byrne 74pts. 3. N. Palmer. P. Forsyth, Ma-y McGirr and C. Keating, H.C. The first was .a. singer of considerable ability, charm and style, but her tempo was a little at fault and second placed competitor, had a good style, but her voice was under pitched. Humorous Song: either sex (16 years and oivcr): Miss B. Adkins TUjpts. 1; Miss M. Coburn, and Missi M, Bald 74pts. 2. Miss E. Ellison H.C The judge said that the ladies were not as gfrod as the girls. They had too serious look about them. They all had good voices and would pro babTT do better in another class. Impromptu Debate: (Subject, Should Daylight Saving be enforced) first section: B. D, Jamieson (aff r and W. D. Murary (neg), R. Busib (aff) and C. Neville (neg). RecallJamieson and Murray. Ladies’ Oration (recalls: Miss D. O’Hallahan, Mrs C. Moss and Miss A Bush). The judge said that the three had finished very close, but he had placed Mrs Moss first because of the sympathy and sincerity she had display'd; the Misses Bush and O ’Halla han being a close third. Restricted Recitation (ladies): Miss D. Marshall. 88pts 1; Miss B. Cornwall 87pts 2; Mrs E. J. Kiely 83pts 3. Miss V. Richardson 80pts h.c. The judge said that all of the competitors had failed to give .the necessary rhythm Ho reiterated that they should endeavour to tell the story instead of reciting it. They should also be more car.ful in the movements of their arms. Their enunciation was good, but on the whole .they -were not so good as in the day session. He suggested that the lights should be arranged so that the judges could sc? the faces of the competitors better. Humorous Recitation (men 16 years and over): IL Trouland 76pts. 1; P. J. McGrath 74pts. 2; J. IT. Keddie 73pts. 3. The judge said that he did not see a great deal of humour in any of the performances. A sense of humour vzas a heaven-born gift, and could not be acquired. Mr Trouland had given as much humour as his ability would allow him to do. and had given an exact style of “galoot” of which one might call rustle humour. Mr Keddie could have got a good d ‘al more out of bis recitation without shouting. There was a certain tone that should be used in the Irish broqne that would give the necessary humourous effect.