THE COMPETITIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16550, 14 May 1914, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS.

The city lias been taking the musical ; and elocutionary competitions so very seriously this year that it would not be surprising to learn that the contests, had created more bad feeling than would a football match between the two sections of the watersiders. But so far from this being the case the friendly rivalry has taught a considerable number of young citizens to become first-rate sportsmen and sportswomen. The competitors aro taking their victories as well as their defeats in an uncommonly good spirit, and nothing else need trouble us when this is happening. But the gathering of singers and elocutionists is serving an excellent purpose in another way. It is inducing an increasing proportion of young students to apply themselves seriously to work in music and elocution, and even if the results are not sensational they are, on the whole, satisfactory- Tho "discoveries" of the competitions are naturally few, but each year a new voice of good quality is heard in public and the audiences, who follow the proceedings with enthusiasm, find an annual interest in estimating tho improvement in the older competitors. Just what influence the gatherings are having upon local music it is difficult to ascertain, but in the long run the results are bound to bo useful. In the matter of elocution it is easier to measure the progress. It is scarcely open to doubt, for instance, that the general average of the tests is higher now than it was a few years ago, and we take it as an excellent sign that increasing attention is nowadays being given to reading and elocution in all parts of the dominion. It is urged, wo know, that some teachers of singing and elocution are devoting themselves _ very largely to the preparation of pupils for the various competitions, but that is not in itself an evil, and the point of importance is' that a growing number of young people arc now provided with nn incentive and an objective in their studios. Incidentally the contests attract and entertain considerable audiences, po that their influence as an educative force extends far beyond tho actual competitors.