COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 September 1927, Page 6

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL

ANOTHER INTERESTING DAY

A FINE RECORD,

SCHOLARSHIP TO MISS L.

BULLOCK

The istamdard of performance .syrt up in the past, and especially during the opening days of the competitions festival, was more than sustained yesterday, when the work was of ai more than usually varied character, because of the commencement of the classes for dancing. These proved very popular, and showed that in this, as in oth)9r lespeots, Havre,ra possesses a great deal of talent. The judge (Miss Daphne Knight), one of .Auckland’s leading teachers, was very pleased with the work, and said that (seeing it was the first year that dancing had been on the 'syllabus, the display and the results were remarkable, and showed that this town possessed many young people whose performances did credit to everyone concerned. As was the case last year, the popularity of the festival has increased with* each day, and last night there was a queue containing over a hundred people whiting for the opening. Throughout the day the hall was nearly full, and in the evening there was not a .seat vacant. ' AH showed the most cordial appreciation, and gave every performer a really good reception. The judges were again very hpilpful with their criticisms and suggestions, and their remarks were much appreciated and must he of great value to the competitors. Additional results were as under: OPERATIC DANCE. (Under 12).

Ora Jones (83) 1; Audrey McLaren (75) 2.

The judge said the winner did not use her wrists too well, though her arm work was fit times very delightful. The accompaniment was excellently played. Audrey McLaren did not use her hands well, and she needed to ’‘droon” her wrists and make the arms at the elbows soft and rounded. It was, however, a, good performance, and shows great promise.

VIOLIN SOLO. (Under 14). Louis Fox (77) 1; Charles Downey’ Louis Fox obtained fine tone a/nd showed appreciation of accent and rhythm. His double stopping was really good, and he showed much promi,se and was really a wonderful little player. He could attend to expression a ,little more.. . . Charles Downey could improve his tone, and should use more bow and pay more to rhythm, but it was quite good. RECITATION. (Boys under 12).

In this class the judge recalled three boys—Gordon Oates. iMervyn Dymond, and Barela,v Harrington, and on bearing them in the evening he isaid he herald not separate them, and placed them equal first. The judge said that Oates had a good vo ’ r ' ~ hut 'it was a> little thin, and hie spoilt (Bis work by falling inflections. Phrasing was quite good. Dymond had the same’ fault in inflections but gave a good interpretation and emphasised his periods well. Harrington was also good, and despite a cold ,gav)3 an excellent rendering of the selection.

CHARACTER DANCE. (Under 1G). Joyce Hayward (90pts.) 1; SOra Jones (79), 2; Stella Vernon (76) 3. The winner gave a really fine performance. said the judge, and fused her Wins well. Ora. Joxi-e-s. liad fi.no m'm work and good expression, but the arrangement of the dance was not too interesting. Stella Vernon had an anitnated style and good stage presence, but tit lacked character to some extent. BOYS’ SONG-. The winner, Gordon Coates, sang in the evening, but unfortunately was very hoarse and did not do so well as in thj'i afternoon. PIANO SOLO (Open). The winner (Miss J. Shield) repeated her performance, giving a fine interpretation of the chosen work. She scored 80 points in the afternoon. The judge, said the winner was inclined to hurry, hut she gave an excellent performance, though, she .sometimes was lacking in character. She played from memory. The .second, Miss M. Pearson, 70 points, failed in expression, but she was talented, said the judge, but wanting in experience

SKIPPING DANCE (Undoir 12).

The winner, Ora Jones (81pts.), gave a good performance,, .said the fudge, but needed more variety. Joan Thomas, who was a close second, with 76 points, failed in the samp respects. She was very neat in her movements. GIRLS’ SONG (under 16).

The winner, Olga Hancock, scored 92 points, and again delighted the judge and audience. . The judge remarked again upon her beautiful English and pure vowel sounds on whiofi it was all built. I*e added her singing was a delight, and was an outstanding effort. HIGHLAND FLING.

Audrey McLaren (72), 1; Pat Murray (70), 2. The judge was pleased with both, but said that entrance and exit rather marred the performances. MUSICAL MONOLOGUE.

C. J. McFadyen and Mrs. T. McGowan were recalled, and on the evening performance the result was: C. J. McFadyen, 1; Mrs. McGowan, 2. The winner, .said the judge, has a good musical voice, well produced, and showed remarkable judgment in his Work. His deportment and gesture were good, and he showed a forceful style where required. Airs. McGowan, the judge remarked, marred her work bv falling inflection, but her musical voice of excellent quality was a great asset to her. Rhythm and expression were well marked. FANCY DANCE (under 9).

The competitors were Doris McGhie, Margaret Hine, Norrna Thomas, W. Martin, Pat McDavitt, Ula Jones and June Goodwin. The result was: Ula Jones (75), 1; June Goodwin (70), 2; Doris McGhie and Pat McDavitt, h.c. Ula Jones, said the judge, was a little marvel, and showed real genius. She was nice in her rhythm, used her arms and head well, and seemed to enjoy every moment of the dance. June Goodwin showed much promise, hut did not use arms and hands too well. She should also turn out her knees and feet. The two others gave very nice performances, and would develop into excellent dancers with care and practice.

SACRED SOLO. The competitors were Misses O. Grindrod, F. Boagey, Mrs. S. J. Martin, Misses W. Mills, M. Leech and J. Cocker. The decision, after a series of interesting performances, gave the awards to: Miss F. Boagey (90), 1; Miss Cocker (86), 2; Miss O. Grindrod. h.c. ~ . . Miss Boagey, said the judge, sang with the utmost ease. She had a light, flexible voice of. good quality; her technique was no trouble to her,, but he’ hoped she would not force it. She gave a delightful performance. Miss Cocker’s work showed careful, painstaking study and’ extreme care, and was remarkably good. Her intonation was, however, *not always pure. Miss Grindrod sang very well, has some faults in intonation, and not so much nrtistrv ns the winners. The‘winner in the class for ladies sacred solo sang “With Verdure Clad” and the second “Angels ever bright and fair,” both from Handel’s oratorios. BARITONE OR BASS SOLO. A. V. Stamp (88) 1, C. J. McFadgen (83) 2, J. Crawford h.c. Other competitors: W. Laurent, E. A. Pacey, E. H. Piper. DIALOGUE (Shakespearian). Miss L. Bullock and Mr. H. L. Spratt (77) 1, IMiisses Jemison and Milne (72) 2. PIANO SOLO (Reading at sight). Miss N. Kilvington 1. The judge said the selection was not very difficult, and the winner did very well. VOCAL DUET. Messrs S. Penny and Wliareaitu 1 (“Excelsior”) The only entry THE DANCING. Speaking generally of the dancing, Miss Knight said the competitors gave a series of interesting performances, but generally the music chosen was not too good, and this meant a great deal to the performers. The first thing to do was to provide suitable music, which was an inspiration to the dancer to give of the best. They should all be most particular with this feature. She said a large number of the dancers made wrong use of the arms, which were stiff, but the competitors were all on the right foundation and, if they .worked hard, would do extremely well. They should' learn to use the arms, body, head and neck, and get- all to move in rhythm. The character dancing was interesting, but she found most of the dancers were inclined to confuse the different styles. They should all learn to finish exactly with the music, and one or two did not make a good exit. SIGHT READING OF MUSIC.

Mr. Towsey emphasised the need of steady practice in sight leading and urged the performers to practise duets with better players. AWARD OF SCHOLARSHIP.

The judge of elocution (Mr. T. Harris) said he had given the matter of the scholarship much thought and had picked three good elocutionists under 18‘.*-Misses June Fairweatlier, Joyce Goodwin, and L. Bullock —and after much consideration had given the award to Miss Bullock. The announcement was received with hearty applause. GENERAL.

Spealfng of the competitors, Mr. Harris said it was- fine to see the sportsmanlike way they took the awards, and he congratulated them all on this feature of the festival. He said the work should give them a further incentive to the study of literature and music, so as to help on the work of the people of the Dominion to fulfil their highest destiny and help to maintain the best traditions. He complimented the school teachers on the good work they were doing, some devoting their holiday time to giving tuition.

Speaking of the Shakespeare numbers, he said he considered they needed much more study to get a correct atmosphere and a right interpretation. The dialogues were interesting, but not too well presented. He added, in reference to the boys’ recitation under twelve, that it was a most unusual occurrence to see .three bracketed equal, and it was unique in his experience.

At the conclusion of his comments .Mr. Harris gave a fine interpretation of Alfrey Noyes’ “The Highwayman,” and as an encore “The Brave Old Duke of York,” and was heartily applauded.

COMPLIMENTARY. At the conclusion of the session, the judge® were entertained at .supper by the executive in the Savoy Rooms. The toast of “The Judges” was given by Air A. E. Morris, who emphasised the good work done by them, and said lie considered that it should he the policy of the society to always secure the best. He thanked them on behalf of the competitors for all the help and encouragement given, which would be very valuable, and would spur them all on to greater effort. The toast was acknowledged by the three judges, all of whom oomplunpnted the society on the excellent festival, and said they felt sure Hawera was going to be one of the most important of the centres. Air Harris said he was exceedingly .sorry to be leaving, because the executive and the people had treafc■h.im so well, and in fact thfSy would look forward to coming back again. Air Harris gave another amusing recitation, and the singing of “Amid Lang Syne” eon cl tided a very pleasant gathering.

PRACTICAL ENCOURAGEMENT

The arranging of a meeting of competitors with the elocutionary juclgp was much appreciated, and he _ spent an hour yesterday afternoon; giving suggestions and practical help in securing 1 letter work for the competitors;. _ Several of them recited, and he criticised the work and gave helpful advice. He stressed the importance of rising inflection's, rhythm, accent and general interpretation and urged intense study of the work to bo performed. He urged them all to endeavour to “let the sense of the' words and passage guide you in your work.” He again stressed the need of mire vowels, the basis of speaking good English, which was otherwise impossible. “Speak according to the sense of the words,” ho said, “and make all your work as interesting as possible.” Referrinig briefly to Shakespeare, ho said that in all his works were character sketches, and and thev must he acted. In conclusion he urged the value of a pause; at times when nereisswrv to add force. He complimented the competitors generally. and .said they were doing good work, and were on the right track, but needed to study and develop voice and breath control.