THE COMPETITIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 August 1926, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS.

A WONDERFUL FINALE

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS

The interest attaching to the work of the local competitions steadily grew session by session, and it culminated in a remarkable climax last evening, when the many fine performances o-iveni by competitors in all sections met a most enthusiastic reception' by a crowded house. So great was the demand for seats in the Opera, House that at seven o’clock, when the session commenced, there was hardly one vacant. And the spirit evinced throughout was only in proportion to the size of the audience. The whole house took the liveliest, and friendliest interest, in all the competitors, and must have inspired them to do thenbest, for it was patent to all who had been several times that at no session bad such good work been- shown.. The judges were enthusiastic in their approval, and showed it at the conclusion in no uncertain manner. . Specially good classes were those for baritone and bass solo, humorous recitation, Scotch song, and among the recalls the onen piano solo, vocal solo (girls under 19 and under 10), recitation in costume, violin solo and recitation (girls under 16). The programme formed a fitting climax to a most successful four days’ festival. To the most energetic- hon. secretary and stage manager (Air J. A. Dalgetty) the society owes a great debt for his excellent and unwearying work. No one could have done better. The enthusiastic executive —Messrs F. AY. Horner (chairman), J. AA r . Velvim and! H. E. Cressey—did great work and devoted much time, energy and thought to the festival. Air Horner especially was- untiring in his conduct of affairs. The society owe much to the good work of the official aceompaniste, Miss D. Joll, who took endless pains to see that all her work should give satisfaction. At the conclusion of the session Air Horner expressed the appreciation felt by the Alale Choir and committee that the festival had been such an unbounded success, and acknowledged the assistance given in many ways by a, number of helpers and the valuable help given by the public by their large attendances and! the interest shown by them at all .sessions. These all 1 had their influences in making for the; .success of the competitions. They were also indebted to the competitors who had helped hv co-operating with the committee. - Their excellent work had a great deal to do with the success of the week. They had in the best possible snirit accepted the decisions of the judges, and this had been also a powerful factor for good. The work of the judges had given general satisfaction, and not a loser had felt aggrieved, for all realised that, though there might be difference® of opinion, they had to accept the decisions and to realise that -any criticisms were kindly meant and showed them the way for making improvements. In this latter respect, no judge could have done more. The excellence of their work was apparent to all. He paid a great tribute to Aliss D. Joll, the official aceompaniste, who by her .appreciation of the difficulties of the young performers, and the help she gave them-, by her ability, her graciousness and tact had done a great deal to help the conduct of the festival. Air Horner also thanked donors- of special prize® for their help, and- in fact all who had assisted in every possible way. He paid- a very special tribute from the choir and- committee to Mr Dalgetty, who, although not a member, had come forward to help, and added that the society had been very lucky ini finding Mr Dalgetty able and willing to take up the work, in which he had given general satisfaction. He also directed attention to the wonderful growth shown by the festival, which in the course of a. few years bad grown from very small! boginnings to its present proportions. He said the general conditions find been improved by the manner in which any differences of opinion in the conduct of the competitions had been met by means of conference between the judges and committee, all making for smooth running and for success. . They had also conferred with a view to securing suggestions for the future conduct of the annual festival. The society hoped to make the competitions even more successful than in the past and to maintain a spirit of enterprise and progress.

In view of the success of the work of competitors, and in order to give the public another opportunt-iy to hear the best competitors, it had been decided to hold a demonstration concert next Tuesday evening. Acknowledging the remarks of the chairman, Mi' Runnicles first expressed his hearty appreciation of all that had- been done by the committee and the people to help him and to make his stay in Hawera so happy as it had been, andi this to such an extent that he was exceedingly sorry to be leaving so ,soon. Referring to "the work done that evening, he said' first he was surprised and more than pleased at the work of the winner in the class for singers, girls under 19, and -said she showed exceptional promise. In the piano solo (open) the’work of the girls had- been very good, and hadj given him great pleasure. Both recalled! competitors, who were placed first and second, had brought out the meaning and significance of the- ‘Romanze.” In the class, for baritone or bass solo all competitors had done well and were very even, when it was realised that between the first five there was a difference of nine marks only, while one point alone separated first and second.

Referring to the work of the mixed choirs, he -said lie was naturally -disappointed, for the work was not very go-o-d, and he could only suppose- that the atmosphere had affected the voices ftnd that the placing of the choirs in the corner had helped to- spoil the effect, for lie noticed ’that the- winning choir, doing better, had been placed more in the centre of the, stage. It was noteworthy that their “own, choice” had been much better in every case than the test. But lie wa-s impressed with the very apparent evidence of careful training by all choirs. This was extremely gratifying, and lie complimented the conductors for their good work. He counselled care in observing the musiea! form and the tempo, and suggested that unless much care was taken with the chorale there was a. tendency to make it almost a, polka time. He added that it was generally accepted that. Sullivan was inclined to be affected by the lighter works composed in- earlier years. He urged the necessity for the ensemble, the perfect blend of which he had spoken on several occasions, so that no one voice stood out.

In reference to the very young performers, he once more counselled- the utmost care in selecting work for them, and the need for prudence, so that the young voices were not injured. In conclusion, he congratulated Hawera on the excellently run and organised competitions, and for the way they hitd been patronised by the public.

There had been, he said, an excellent atmosphere among the competitors, and it was gratifying to note the complete absence of what was termed “pothunting.” He added that it wits splendid to see the way in which competitors had prepared themselves, content in the knowledge of work done, and the sense of satisfaction in that work without caring whether prizes were won on not. Air de Berry referred first to the drawing-room entertainment, and said that neither was very good, but the second, that evening, had been more iike such a function, and consequently was awarded the prize.

The humorous recitations were a weak section, although one had stood out a® easily the best. The second' had unduly protracted his story of the ‘‘Lost Hat.”

In the recitation for girls under 18, he had recalled three, and had given the prize to the one whose interpretation of a fine character was the best. The second has much the best voice and beautiful vowel sounds and more sense of tone colour, but she made many falling inflections and other faults which pulled down her work, but isliei was easily the best elocutionist. The third also gave a very ,striking performance. He also complimented Aliss Joll on her work as aceompaniste, and said that it had been most useful and helpful to competitors, and. had that day got at least “one tame dog ever a stiles ’ ’ He thanked the committee for its help and courtesy in malting Ms stay in Hawera so pleasant, and the audience for its patience and forbearance. He said he would .like to put in a word for the losers —the winners got most of the applause —for it was the losers who made the competitions. They entered for the sheer love of the Art. They deserved all the appreciation possible for their par severance and for the way thev took their defeats —like the sports they were. They placed the honour and the striving .before the prize. He highly complimented the people of Hawera di the excellent competitions and the wonderful audiences. He remarked that he believed no other town would show a full house of this size at ©even o’clock. They were doing an educational work that would be of great value as the years passed. The Hawera. Alale Choir Quartette, Alessrs J. C. Smith. A. B. Alorris, AY. Thomas and G. H. Bnckeridge, the only entry 'received in the section, sang as an exhibition number, the fine part song “I Hear You Calling Me,” founded on the story, and then, in addition., a humorous selection, “Black Her Eye.” Another item, of great interest and one that was enthusiastically encored, were two musical monologues “The Old Bachelor,” and “The Kiss on the Stairs,” given by Air tie Berry.

FINAL RESULTS. The final results were as below: — BARITONE OR BASS SOLO. i Test: “The Great Adventure.” 11. G. Gilbert, 80 marks, 1. C. J. AlcFadyem, 78 marks, 2. AY. F. Eade, 75 marks, 3. _ _ The other competitors were: N. E. West, E. 11. Piper, and C. J. Robert®. RECITATION. (Humorous. Own selection.) H. AY. Jackson (“You Do Look Queer”), 1- . J. H. Forrester (“Story of a Lost Hat”), 2. Other competitors: Ali.sses D. Clements, N. Kent, and G. Pa rices, Mr® McGowan. Messrs Stevenson, and AleFad ven. SCOTCH SONG. Aliss A 7 .Alartin (“Turn Ye to Me”) 1. C J. Roberts( “Annie Laurie”), 2. Aliss Al. A. Cocker (“Robin Adair”) 2. Aliss At. A. Cocker (“Robin. Adair”) 3. Others competing were: Aliss J. Henson (“Scots AVha Hae”), and Air Langslow (“Lochnagar.”) DRAAVING-ROOAI ENTERTAINMENT Air 0. S. Firkin’s party, 1. RECALLS. SONG. (Under 10). Alison Gondson 1. Afargaret Fox 2. RECITATION. . (Girls under 18). Lynda. Bullock (17 marks) 1. Joan Tonics (116 marks) 2. Betty Tonics (14 marks), 3. LADY’S SOLO. (Under 19. Own selection). Aliss Al. Barnes 1. Misses E. Cooper and Al. A. Cocker (equal) 2. GIRLS’ SONG. (Under 16. Own selection). Betty Tonks 1. Marie Oliver 2. PIANO SOLO. (Open. Under 21 years). Aliss L. Haughton 1. Aliss Marie Alack ie 2. RECITATION. (In costume. Under 14.) Alma Strawbridigei 1. Joyce Goodwin 2. Iv. Smith 3. VIOLIN SOLO. (Open). Test: “Rodino” (Kreishler). Aliss G. L. Leach (69 marks) 1. L. Fcx and A. Riley (66 marks) 2. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the most successful festival of competitions ever held in Hawera.'

TESTER DAY AFTERNO ON ’ S RESULTS.

Much interest was taken right up to the end of the afternoon session, and there was a lot of good work seen and heard. Remaining, results were:— RECITATION IN COSTUME. (Own selection. Under 14.) Recalls: Joyce Goodwin, Ken Smith, Alma Straw bridge. A large class, no less than fourteen young competitors facing the judge. He said that it was -the bounden .duty of every' person coming on the stage to speak so ms to be heard by the last person at the .back of the building. It It was, he s«fid, impossible to judge the competitors if they were not, properly and distinctly heard. To several this applied, and one o'ever little girl so placed, her voice that, it went down into the hall and then lie got only “spat-tering-s” of it, and comlcl only hear it indistinctly. He could not forbear asking why the selections wle,re so .poor when there was the whole- range of English literature from which to select. It was such a -pity there were not better selections made. Ho referred to the wonderful work to be got from <r Aliioe in Wonderland,” which would provide excellent -opportunity in which any girl could revel. In books dear to boys and girls there was such endless material that there was no need of ugl-y dialect. Again, in Robert Lou is S tevenson, or many others almost equally good, there was," for any mother or father in search of material, ample -.scope in the best type of work fitting for children.

VIOLIN SOLO. Open class. Test: “Ron dine” (Kreisler) Recalls: Miss Leech, A. Riley and L. Fox.

CHILDREN’S WORK.

FAA 7 OUR.ABLE COAIAIENTS

Speaking of the violins "work, Air. Runnieles said it was an interesting secition ancl there were promising violinists_ JTlie first thing to be considered was" the tempo. Some had taken the selection too slowly and! some too fast.. The, idea for the performer was to take it at a .pace at which lie could manage the varibus phases'. All performers must study and! think out carefully all the movements and concentrate, on that 'phrase which they aTe at the moment playing. That was, he said 1 , ho,w the great, artists did their work. The average player was so fearful of forgetting that he hurried! on to the next phrase. The tone generally was quite good ancl he was pleasdi with it, but intonation was not always as satisfactory. He added that there were no outstanding players, but several promised to become good violinists. Ref erring to the children’s work generally, Air. Runnieles said he considered! it was much better this year. They were better looked after in the choice of songs and he hoped this would be maintained and so raise the standard all round-

JUDGES ENTERTAINED

At the conclusion of the competitions last night the committee entertained the judges and' a few friends- at supper in the Carlton Rooms. Air. F. W. Horner,! in the absence of the president of the Alale Choir, expressed the pleasure and satisfaction felt by all at the work of the judges and gave a short resume of the history of the competitions, which, lie said, had grown out of very small beginnings ,and' had widened steadily in scope. He thanked them too- for the keen interest they had taken in the work, and especially for their efforts to help young artists, which had been very heartily appreciated by all' and would', he felt sure, bear good fruit., ,A!r. Runnieles and Mr de Berry both thanked the committee and the people of the town for the wonderful reception given them, and expressed their admiration for Hawera andi all the artistic activities being carried on in the district. Both were impressed with the general high, standard of work "shown which, they said, in some eases was outstanding. Alusieal and elocutionary interests were strong and would bo helped very much by the holding of the annual festival. The singing of Auld Lang Syne eoneluded a most cordial gathering.