MUSIC FESTIVAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 95, 5 April 1934, Page 6

MUSIC FESTIVAL

JUDGING COMPLETED FINAL AWARDS MADE. RESULTS OF FINAL SESSION. Words of praise, and occasionally of criticism, came iron. Miss Madeline Vyner and Mr. H. Barry Coney, two of the judges at the Napier Competitions yesterday. Miss Vyner, who judged the dancing, deplored the adop lion ot what she called "successful racial expression by youthful dancers. Mr Coney said he considered that a very youthtul accompanist, Master D Annan, of Napier, held promise oi becoming a brilliant perlornier as an adult accompanist. Last night was the final session ol the 1034 festival. From all points oi view, but principally because of the wide scope of talent which was brought to the daily programmes, the season was noteworthy. The bulk of the work of presentation, and the stress of answering the questions asked bv a large majority of the 12(X) competitors who faced the judges fell to the lot of the secretary, Mr S. I*. Spiller, whose application and initiative were freely acknowledged by both judges and public. The Foresters' Hall was the meeting place of about 400 people last night, and no doubt there will be an ever greater number of people to see and bear the successful performers in the demonstration concert to-night. The results of the judging yesterday are given below. INSTRUMENTAL. Violin, under 18.—Miss S. Coady (Norsewood), 179 points, 1; Miss M. Mullany (Napier), 177 points, 2; Master R. Spiller (Napier) and Master J. Franklin (Napier), h.c. Plectra piggicato trio. —Miss O. Weaver, R. Spence, G. R. Scott (Hastings), 183 points, 1; .1. Mclntyre, C. Williams and J. Butcher (Greenmeadows), 170 points, 2. Mandolin solo.—Miss Ethel Marsha 1 ! (Hastings), 180 points, 1; Mrs G. Mooney (Napier), 174 points, 2; Mrs M. Mclntyre (Greenmcndows) and Miss Alice Trcndall (Havelock North), h.c. Steel guitar solo.—J. Mclntyre (Greenmeadows), 177 points, 1; Miss Ruby Marshall (Hastings), 104 points, 2; C. Williams (Greenmeadows), h.c.

Vocal solo, girls under 12, own selection.—Miss B. Spiro (Naprer), 183 points, 1; Miss R. Sanders (Hastings), 175 points, 1; Miss M. Trower (Petone), vh.c.; Miss V. Evans (Napier), Miss T. Smith (Gisborne), Miss R. Hassall (Pakipaki), Miss J. Lane (Napier), h.c. ,

Vocal solo and accompanist, boy or girl, 12 and under 16, own selection.— Miss B. Mooney and Master D Annan (Napier), 194 points, 1; Miss J. Annan and Master D. Annan (Napier), 190 points, 2; Masters M. Williams and C. Lee (Napier), Miss A. Zane (Napier) and Master B. Spiro (Napier), v.h.c. The judge said of this last section that the young accompanist who joined in the winning of first place, should later make a name for himself as an accompanist. His work was ideal in that he did not seek to dominate the situation.

Vocal duets, boy or girl, 12 and under 16, own selection. —Misses B. and N. Mooney (Napier), 182 points 1 ; Miss ■J. and Master D Annan (Napier), 175 points, 2. Soprano solo. —Mrs C. Sowter (Napier), 179 points, 1; Miss Lola Houghton (Napier), 172 points, 2; Miss Dor reen Murphy (Napier) and Mrs C. Nicholson (Napier) v.h.c. Song in costume, boy or girl 16 and under 20.—Miss Heather Mclver (Napier), 181 points, 1; Miss Cecil O’Hallorrtr (Napier), 160 points, 2.

Vocal solo, accompanied by self. —K. Macaulay (Wellington), 176 points, 1: Mrs M. Smith (Gisborne), 169 .points 2; G. Madigan (Napier) and Miss Edna I’arton (Wellington), v.h.c. Vocal duets.—Miss Edna I’arton and K Macaulay (Wellington), 181 points, 1: Mesdamcs Sorrell and Sowter (Nattier), 178 points, 2; Mrs M. Smith and Miss Joyce Glanville (Gisborne), Mrs M. Smith and Miss Robina Cook (Gisborne), E. G. Collin (Takapau) nnd partner, v.h.c.

DANCING. Classic dance, under 10.—Miss J. Willis (Napier), 80 points. 1 ; Miss D. Larsen (Wellington) 79 points; Miss C. Knight (Napier) and Miss N. Thear (Hastings), h.c. Skipping dance, under 10.—Miss K. Caldwell (Petone), 81 points, 1 ; Miss M. Thear (Hastings), 80 points, 2; Miss C. Knight (Napier), Miss D. Larsen (Wellington) and Miss O. Workman (Napier), h.c. The judge urged all young dancers to express “what was inside them’’. She referred to the facial expressions of one little dancer in the dance duo (10 to 14) series, nnd said she bad expressions which people were fond of imitating. “Give your own facial expressions.” said Miss Vyner—don't try to imitate the ‘successful’ thing which may not be tho natural expression of vonr own personality.” Dunce duo, 10 to 11. — Misses J. Lewis nnd P Caldwell (Petone). 81 points, 1 ; Miss .1 Izod and partner ‘Gisborne! an- 1 Miss .1 O'Connor ‘Wellington. equal 80 points, 2: Misses L McKenngn nnd J. I.nsker (Hastings), h.c. fllmrnetor store dnnrc 14 nn<l over —Miss Pcggv B’nr-k (Napier). Sn nornts. 1; Miss M"dolene .Innes <Nnn‘er). 79 pein's. 2: Miss Botlv Rnirn 'Napier) nnd Miss M. Peiunnn (Wot lington). Jr r \ ELOCUTIONARY Character recital, men. — E. Muir (Lower Hutt). 95 points. 1; R Cheyne (Wellington). 9° po'nls, 2. Storv without words. —Miss Grar-ie Kerr (Wellington', 94 points. 1; Frivolity Minstrels (Napier), f>? onin's. " COMMENT ON DANCING Praise and Criticism A general commentary upon the performances of entrants in the dancing sections of the Napier Competitions festival, was given yesterday by Miss Madeline Vyner, iudge of dancing She

said there were promising artists in all classes, but there were several shortcomings, particularly in interpretation. On the whole, the national dancing series were very good, she commented, but many of the competitors in the operatic sections were inclined too much to be content with describing a succession of pretty poses. "Operatic dancing has a very exacting but interesting technique,” said Miss Vyner, "but this technique cannot be acquired without a great deal of practice. In the case of most dancers who presented themselves at the 1934 Competitions festival, elevation was weak.” From her observations of the classic dancing, she would say it was evident that some thought hud been given to the subject, but the majority of the dances inelined to the wearisome, largely because the theme chosen wag often beyond the emotional capacity of the performer. Here again, there was too much posing and too little rhythmic movement.

Under the heading of “Choreography,” Mis Vyner commented that here also some serious effort was shown. Though the choice of music generally was good, and there was proof of development along correct lines, the construction of music anil its suitability to the theme should, she considered, be studied as well as rhythm. She was glad to observe the reaction of contestants to her criticisms, made early in tho festival, upon artificial expressions and stage subterfuges “Sincerity ot feeling, in the final analysis, is the cnly way in which artists may please their audiences,” she concluded, “and sincerity should be encouraged in every possible way.”