HAWERA COMPETITIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 August 1927, Page 10

HAWERA COMPETITIONS.

FESTIVAL OFFICIALLY OPENED

FIRST DAY’S AWARDS. The sixth festival of the Hawera Competitions conducted under the auspices of the Hawera Male Choir was officially opened last evening by the Mayor (Mr. E. A. Pacey). The Opera House was practically filled for the initial evening session, and a. bright and varied programme was submitted, consisting of recalls from the day sessions, with some-- of the more important classes of the competitions, displaying much artistic talent on the part of the competitors. Hr. Pacey expressed pleasure in welcoming to Hawera. the judges and competitors. The town was under a debt of gratitude to the Male Choir for instituting and bringing to fruition the annual competitions. In the past this event had been highly .successful, and the speaker understood that the present festival was likely to exceed ail previous records. He urged- competitors to take the judge’s ruling in a good spirit and to abide by the dedecisions given. He then declared the festival open. THE CHOIR CONTEST. “I wish to congratulate the conductors and competitors, for I have heard two of the most beautiful interpretations I could wish, to hear,’’ -said the musical judge, Air. Cyril Tow-sey, in commenting on the choir contest, which was a feature of last evening’s programme. Air. Towsey’s announcement that the Alethodist A Choir had been awarded the shield was a popular one. Be- said that in the test piece the balance of the winning choir had been good, and the finale had been an exceptionally fine piece of .singing. The part song “O Happy Eyes” had also been splendid. Ah’. Tow.soy said that- he had been delighted with the way in which all the choirs had sustained the pitch. Referring to the performance, of St. John’s Presbyterian Choir. he .said that tone was this combination’s chief asset, the balance being a little weak. Although the tempo in the part -song “Yon Stole My Love” had been too fast., the effect bad been most artistic.

Mr. F. AY. Horner presented the shield donated by Mr. H. A. Brunette to Air, Fox. and congratulated him on the success of his choir. In returning thanks Air. Fox expressed the, hope that more choirs would compete at the next contest.

JUDGE’S COMMENT. .During the evening the judges made comments on the standard of the work produced. Dealing with the musical monologue class, iVLr. 'lilies. Harris ,impressed upon competitors the necessity of malting the voice harmonise with, the music, me perro-rmer must maintain rythni, and he said that unless, this was done the musician was unable to give a good accompaliiment. Uieferiiing to the recitation in costume .or children, he said that the majority of the competitors had given a delightful and dainty performance, some showing considerable promise of •success alter training. The boys’ recitation “The Fighting Temeruire,” had been good, the class as whole being fair and the efforts being very natural. The particular piece lent itself to rythmical rendition. The prose sight reading ciass for competitors under 16 years of age had ocen very good, but the performance of the recalled competitors, had not been so- good in verse. Phrasing and pause were stressed as being, important factors.

The- competitors in. the- ladies’ test recutiation had .been, fairly even in merit, but the majority had lacked dramatic power to which the test piece “Yvonne” -lent itself. Voice and deportment-, which were important in recitation, were well developed oy some of the competitors.

Concluding, Air. Harris said lie wished to- impress on competitors that i. was not- iii« intention to find fault or

!-.'>• ridicule their work., hut to indicate where it could he improved. Dealing with musical classes, Mr. I'ow.scy stated that in the lest piano solo under !2 years, the majority of tic:- competitors had put the wro-ng uc•ent.s oil the bass. In the similar class ruder 1.8 years the lan go "irons effect ire*, quiresl by the pßce was .lacking in the most of cases, as was the climax, tlie general performance' being dull. “I do not wish to discourage these classes or suggest that they should be cut out qf the programme, but ! am not m. favour of the little mites eom'ig oilt to sing. They have generally no voices,” said Mr. Tovvsey in rofer-Jii'-e to the vocal solo for children under 10 years. In the mod, of cases the (singing had 'been inaudible. The winner had a very musical voice and V-id nang simply wit..h a. particular charm. if||> Ihe winner of the soprano solo had a beautifully clear and light voice, -and Ihe judge urged tins singer not to I'Mc e her voice as tone was more desirable' than power. Dock I pc rfo nuances were given in the vocal solo and accompaniment choice of song by the winner being most suitable.

The winner of the woodwind solo had shown cleverness, but had a leniency to force his tone, which, wa.s not advocated.

DETAILED RESULTS, CHOIR CONTEST. Open to any choir of 20 to 25 voices; test, ‘‘Sun oi My Soul” (Turner), accompanied and part song, o.wn ..selection, unaccompanied; for shield donate;! by Mi. 11. A. .Brunette: Hawera Methodist Ob it roll A (conductor, Mr. JI, U. A. Fox), 183 points, St. John’s Presbyterian Church (conductor, Mr. O. Lamb), 1.02 points, 2. Also competed: Hawera. .Methodist t liarch B. . MUSICAL, MONOLOGUE. • (Humorous.) I’or lady or gentleman, own so lee tion.—Miss (f. L. Leech, 99 points, 1, C. J. McFadyen, 97 points, 2; Miss M Jjeggett, 93 points, 3; H. L. Spratt, 90 points, highly commended. Also competed : Misses CL L. Jemison. P. J. Milne and, N. Reid. 1’ IA NO SOLO 1 . (Under 12 years). 'lest, “Sylphes” or “Five fdvll.s”.— May Cadman, 09 points. I ; Molly McKinnon, 59 points, 2. HONG, ROY OR. (URL, ([ nder 10 years). (Inn Selection.—Doriis. (film ore, 05 points, 1 ; Sheila McDonald, 00 points, woodwind instrument, solo. (Open.) FI. Rawson (clarinet). (5G points, I; Janie,s Henson (flute), 58 points, 2.

SOPRANO' OR. AIHZZO-SOPRANO SOLO. (Open.) Own Selection. —Alls.® F. Boagey, SS points-, 1; Miss J. Cocker, SI. points. 2. PIANO SOLO-. (Under 18 years). Test, “To a- Water Lily”.—Gertrude Al. Hall, 78 points, I; Thelma E. Jones, 70 points, 2. VOCAL SOLO' AND ACCOMPANIMENT. (For combined effort). Air Eric Pacey and Mr. Lya-ll Pacey 110 points, l; Miss AI. E. Leech and AJiwss G. Leech, 92 points, 2. RECITATION IN COSTUME (Under 10 years). Own Selection.—June Fair weather, 92 points, 1; Audrey Oates, 90 points, 2; Hermine Evans, 87 points 3. RECITATION. (Boy under 15 years.) Test.—Kenneth. Smith, 85. points, 1; Vernon Laurent, 83 points 2, Ba-rney Thomas, 82 points, 3. READING AT SIGHT. (Under 16 years). Al.avis Tapp, S 6 points, 1; Joan Downey, 81 -points, 2j Doris Arch bo Id, points, 3. LADIES’ RECITATION. \ Test.—Miss L. Bullock, 86 points, 1 ; Aliss Al. Quin, 84 points, 2; Airs J. Cr Robb, 18 points, 3 SECOND DAY’S WORK. GENERAL HIGH STANDARD

The Hawera- competitions were continued tiiis morning, with a very large class in the recitation. It was the largest in the programme and was exceedingly interesting. The judge (air. T. Harris) said lie was much pleased with the standard shown so far, and that lie had heard a great deal of good work, indicating art and in good taste. Generally speaking, too. lie said, the selections cliosen were good in style and fitting for the performers. lie was also interested in the musical monologues, the winners in whi.h scored well. The same remark applied to the children’s work this morning, the selections being essential! v suitable to children RECITATION. (Roy or gold under 10). There were 32 entries, and they included a lot of capable young reciters, and the sorting out gave the judge, considerable room for thought. Tne results were that the following recalls were made: Margaret Harrington, June Pail-weather, and Joan Moore. Ihe honour of highly com mended- was given to June Dalgetty, Jean Dempsey and Eileen Kelseii.* LADY’S SOLO. (Under 19.)

JJetty Tonks, 8(1 marks, 1; Jessie Henson, 05 marks, 2. Only competitors.