AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 12

AUCKLAND COMPETITIONS.

OPENING NEXT MONDAY. NOTABLE FESTIVAL PROMISED. Final arrangements have been made for the annua] festival of the Auckland Competitions Society, which will commence on Monday. The official opening ceremony will be performed by the Hon George Fowlds at 7.30 p.m., although the classes will commence in the Town Hall the concert chamber, and Unity Hail, at 2 p.m. During Monday morning addresses to teachers and competitors will be given !>y the various adjudicators. This arrangement, which is an innovation, should be greatly appreciated. That this year's festival will be the most successful on record is the firm opinion of Mr. Frank Adeane, the organiser and secretary." " I am convinced the competitions are doing more to develop public appreciation of music and other arts than any other movement inaugurated here," said Mr. Adeane yesterday. "The competitors are being informed that prizes are -a secondary consideration, the main object being the advancement of musical and elocutionary talent. One of the chief advantages of the system is the fact that every winner of a section receives a written criticism of his work from the judge. This is of inestimable benefit to the competitor, and is really far more valuable than a prize or cert! ficate." Many people believed the society was a profit-making concern, said Mr. Adeane. All profits were devoted to a central fund which was used to provide scholarships for music and elocution. Moreover, the services of the committee were entirely voluntary. The aim was to make the movement a national one The 2560 entries comprise 3100 contestants, of whom 1500 are in choirs. The most important dates in connection with the festival are Tuesday, August 30, when the grand choir contest will be held: Friday, August 26, when the 25 school choirs will compete: and Thursday and Saturday, September 1 and 3, the days fixed for the demonstration concerts, when items will ho given by those who have gained jpremier places in the different sec tions. Following are the judges:—Music. Mr F W. Slater; elocution, Mr. 11. Borra dale; dancing, Madame Eugenie Dennis; literature, the Rev J. W. Shaw.