ANNUAL FESTIVAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 May 1939, Page 8

ANNUAL FESTIVAL

THE NELSON COMPETITIONS MUSIC AND DANCING RESULTS Judging in the music and dancing sections of the Nelson Competitions was continued at the Theatre Royal this morning. Interesting classes were the tap dance under 12, song and dance under 9, and girls’ song under 16. The first demonsti'ation concert will be presented to-night, and judging by the performances of the winners the programme should reach a high standard. This morning’s results were as follows: DANCING (Judge: Miss Jeane Horne j Boys’ dance, 10 and over. —Peter Bennett 1; Rex Nobbs 2; Rodger Win 3 "The winner of this class gave a very good performance,” said the judge. Boys’ dance, under 10 —Brian Stafford 1; Rodrick Maxwell 2; Rodney Russell 3. Tap dance, under 12—Etta Banks 1; Valerie Lock 2: Pamela Leighs 3. "This was quite an interesting class, with some good footwork but competitors need to pay more attention to time and rhythm,” said Miss Horne.

"There is a difference in being ‘off’ the beat to against the beat.”

Song and dance, under 9—Margaret Leighs, "The Lambeth Walk”, 1; Betty Smith, ‘We’ll may hay while the sun sine”, 2; Ula Drummond 3.

Spanish dance, 12 and over—Etta Banks 1; Shirley Kelly 2; Pamela Leighs 3.

"Competitors need to pay more attention to details of costume. There are several types of Spanish dances and all have their own particular style of dress.” said Miss Horne.

Juvenile dance, own selection, under 7—Pat Scholefield (Tahuna), "Acrobatic Dance”, 1; Anne Stringer. “Irish Jig”, 2; Noni Hay, "Princess of the Roses”, 3.

"This is a section where I always feel I would like to award a place to all competitors,” said Miss Horne. "Some of these little ones show promise of being good dancers when they have had more training. The first and second competitors both showed a keen sense of rhythm for tiny tots.” Folk dancing—Nelson centre of New Zealand Society of English Folk Dancing, “Parson’s Farewell”, 1; Nelson centre, “Haste to the Wedding”, 2.

"I was sorry to see only two items in the folk dancing.” said the judge. "The winners gave a spirited interpretation of the ‘Parson’s Farewell.’ They danced without any apparent effort and the team work was good.”

VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL (Judge: Mr F. Wentworth Slater) Piano duet, under 10 —Jocelyn Shale and Josie Hailes 1; Margaret Atkinson and Betty Smith 2. Girls’ song, under 16. "June Music” — Jeanette Harley 1; Patricia Murphy 2; Erin Semple and Helen Hargreaves, equal 3 and v.h.c. The judge pointed out that there was not one competitor who was strict with regard to the notation of the song. The general style of the singing was quite good, however. This was the hardest song he had set, and as a section it was the best singing section he had heard.. In the piano solo, under 14. yesterday Edith Brunt was 3rd and v.h.c.