COMPETITIONS OFFERS BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7459, 9 May 1934, Page 7

COMPETITIONS OFFERS BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

High Standard Reached by Performers

JUDGES STRESS NEED OF SUITABLE SELECTIONS

Tho cloventh annual festival of the Manawatu Competitions Society entered upon the second day at the Empire Hall yesterday, when encouraging audiences attended both day and evening sessions. A wide variety of items was embraced in the classes set down for hearing', and the standard attained by competitors was pleasingly high. Eollowing are the results of finals reached yesterday. As all recalls granted during-the day were heard again at night, there are no recalls in the appended list.

Morning Classes,

Character Recital (u'ndcr 9). —Frank Jenkins (Eangiotu), 5S marks, 1; Noeline Perrin (P.N.), 50 marks, 2; Eileen Tucker (P.N.), -12 marks, 3. Three entries.

Piano Solo (under 10). —Patricia Blamircs (Feilding), 160 marks, 1; Thyrlo Williamson (Waituna), 155 marks, 2. Two entries. Violin Solo (under 11).— David Hutchinson (P.N.), 169 marks, 1; Norman Walden (r.N.) 162 marks, 2. Three en-

tries. Piano Solo (open). —Joan Maunder (Wellington), 179 marks, 1; Donald Morris (P.N.), 166 marks, 2. Only entries.

Piano Duet (under 19). —Joyce "VV'ilby and Monty Picrard (P.N.), 161 marks, 1; Ruth TunnyclifTc and Betty Aird (Rongotea), US marks, 2. Violin Solo (under 18).—Edna Jepsen (Bunnythorpe), 1. Only competitor. Piano Solo (under 16).— Donald Kirkiby (Hawera), 163 marks, 1; Ruth Tunjiycliffe (Rongotea), 112 marks, 2; Gordon Mercer .(IOC.), 92 marks, 3. Three competitors. Afternoon. Vocal Solo (girls 11 to 11). Nancy Robertson (P.N.), 183 marks, 1; Pat Over (Marton), 181 marks, 2; Betty Whittington (Woodvillc), 177 marks, 3. !Five competitors. Test Recitation (boys under 16). Earl Catterick (P.N.), 1; Jim McCarthy (Napier), 2; Robert Holmes (P.N.), 3. Only competitors. Evening Session. Vocal Solo (boys under 12).—Ronald Tremain (Feilding), 169 marks, 1; Lawrence McCarthy (Napier), 167 marks, 2. Five entries. Recitation (girls under 9).—Gaenor Hague (P.N.), 1; Noelinc Perrin (P.N.), 2; Eileen Tucker (P.N.), 3. Seven entries.

Tap Dance (12 and under 17).— Pat Over (Martou), S 3 marks, 1; Ngaire Keys (Wellington), SO marks, 2; Claude Henderson (Bunnythorpe), 79 marks, 3. Twenty-two entries. Recitation, Humorous (girls under 12). —Rita Cass (Wellington), 1; Beryl Chrystall (P.N.), 2; Patty Cummins (P.N.), 3. Fifteen entries. Sacred Solo (ladies). —Miss Gladys Cameron (P.N.), 171 marks, 1; Mrs. G. Young (P.N.), 165 marks, 2. lour entries.

Recitation (boys under 12).— Hugh Pierse (Napier), 1; Ronald Tremaine (FeUding), 2. Five entries. Character Dance (10 to 13). —Phyllis O’Shea (Wellington), SO marks, 1; Heather Elgie (Petone), 79 marks, 2; Diana Elliott (Lower Hutt), 7S marks, •j. Fifteen entries.

' Baritone Solo.—Mr. X. Shelton ;(Feilding), 174 marks, 1; Mr. D. B. Rowe (Rongotea), 159 marks, 2. Vocal Solo (girls, 17 to 21). —Miss M. Cribs on (P.N.)y172 marks, 1. Only entry. Vocal Solo (girls 14 to 17).— Miss Gladys Cameron (P.N.), 107 marks, 1; Miss" Dorothy Ramsay (Taradale), 150 marks, 2. Song in Character : (boy or girl, 12 and under 15), —Elaine Wheeler (Wellington), 172 marks, 1; Pat Over (Marton), 159 marks, 2. Only competitors. Classical Dance (12= and under).— Joan Peters (Wanganui), 7S marks, 1; Marjorie Lee (Wellington), 70 marks, 2; Margaret Longdill (Kakatahi), 75 marks, 3. Twenty entries. Vocal Solo (boys 12 and under 101.— Teddy Jamieson (P.N-1. 170 marks, 1; Earl Catterick (P.N.), 172 marks, 2. Only entries. Operatic Solo (men). —Mr. N. L. Shelton (Feilding), 170 marks, 1; Mr. G. Whitelock (l'.N.), 167 marks, 2. Three entries.

Tap Dance (over 12). —Margaret Kerr (Westport),"9s marks, 1; Audrey Daniels (Wellington), SI _ marks, 2; Patricia Trower (Wellington), SO marks, 3. Recitation (boys 10 and under 21). Gordon Oates, 1. Two competitors. ADD Competitions piff.iner.rs

Operatic Dance (13 and under 17). Margaret Kerr (Westport) 34 marks, 1; Joan Mabin (Brooklyn) 79 marks, 2;

Betty Jenkins, 7(3 marks, 3. Contralto Solo.—Miss D. Ebbett (Pahiatua) 1; only entry. During the programme pupils of Miss Jean Scott offered a tap ballet. The Judges Speak

Commenting on the elocution classes, Miss Beatrice Mac-Kenzic, of Havelock North, said that a notable fault was a too liberal use of gesture, often quite meaningless. For verse speaking competitors generally were lacking in rhythm, and were too literal in their speech. Rhythm was the proper medium of verse, and unless it was present the poem was not being correctly interpreted. Poetiy was magic, not "logic. In the class under nine, the choice of poem was not appealing due to a dearth of suitable literature at that age. Anything that forced the children out of their own age was not suitable, as it would only fort* character. In the recitation for boys under twelve, competitors ohviously did not have the rhythm* of their pieces; speech was too often slow and laboured. The test piece (boys) was very creditable, and the winner spoke his piece excellently. The girls’ humorous.recitation, though certainly it encouraged enuncia: tion and afforded the speakers some training, was not a particularly valuable class to tlio entrants. The humour

in some instances was grown up ana some of it quite low; not really funny at all. The children were not given work of their age at all. Miss Madeline Vyncr, of Wellington, judging tho dancing, said that tap work should be both heard and seen. In the under 12 class, one boy gave what would be a good radio item—footworn clear and incisive—but his body movements lacked grace. In character dances, there was no objection to acrobatics, but they must be executed with due regard to the music and not strung loosely together. In tho classical number, children were given things beyond their power of interpretation, with too much emotional significance. -the dance should be developed naturally from t’ho games which the children y inclination played. In the operatic class (13-17) there was a wide margin between the winner and the remaining competitors. ' , , . ,■ Mr H. Barry Coney, ot Auckland, orfcrinir criticism on the musical numbers "declared that, in many juvenile items the voices of the boys had not been trained. Songs maybe they aa learnt, but there was little sign of an intelligent study of the, boys’ voices. The choice was quite g°? c L 311 ' should be remembered that a boy ougu to sing something he could enter into with zest. It was disappointing that entries were so few for the ladies pacred solo, but the performance had been good. A pleasing, powerful voice was heard in the baritone solo, although the intonation of one singer was faulty. The song in character had been excellent, with dresses generally appropriate. A Good Season

A special feature of to-niglit’s proprogramme will be the Radio Vocahst Section, which will take place at t.o o p.m. sharp. The competitors will !l *- tend at the studio of Station 2FZ and will broadcast, from there. The broadcast will be picked up at the Empire Hall and the audience will Hear the voices received over the air. 't his section is specially included in order to assist with the general improvement of radio programmes and proves that the society is right up to date. The brass band sections, which consist of cornet solo, open solo (other than cornet) and brass quartet, will bo heard at the band hall, commencing at (3 p.m. This will prove to be a splendid competition as the entfies include well-known bandsmen from various various parts of the North Island.

On Thursday evening the impromptu speeches and impromptu debate will be heard. Entries for these classes close at 7.30 p.m. on the night. The society is holding the demonstration concerts on Friday. Tho afternoon concert will be specially suited for children. Box plans for the evening concert open for members this morning (Wednesday) at Collinson and Cunninghamc’s, and for non-members on Thursday at 9 a.m.