THE COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19721, 22 August 1927, Page 11

THE COMPETITIONS.

OPENING CEREMONY TO-DAY. WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMME. MUSIC, DANCING, ELOCUTION. The annual festival of the Auckland Competitions Society will commence today. The official opening ceremony will be performed by the Hon. George Fowlds in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening. In spite of the fact that this year the national dancing contests have been abandoned, there are still over 300 more entries compared with the last festival. A very wide range of musical, elocutionary and literary subjects is covered by the programme. Every type of voice is catered for in the vocal section, which includes not only national and sacred songs, but also oratorio and operatic solos. Some of these are sung with acompaniment and obligato, others without. Character songs, modern popular songs and songs by New Zealand composers have all attracted good entries. Hundreds of children are competing in recitations, which come under several, classes, humorous, test, dramatic, character, and with musical acompaniment. Some fine performances ars promised in the literary and dramatic competitions. These classes have produced entries from the „ best talent available. Rupert Brooke and Wordsworth are the two poets portions of whose works must be included in the dramatic recital, while in the Shakespearean recital for men part of act 3, scene 1 of "Measure for Measure" has been selected. The better-known extracts from Shakespeare's plays have been chosen by those entering for the character recital in costume for either sex. Many favourite pieces appear in the character dialogue and musical monologue sections, and some notable performances should be witnessed in the Dickens costume recital. School and Church Choirs. By far the most impressive feature of the competitions is the grand choir , contest, to be held in the Town Hall on the evening of Tuesday, August 30. Four of the most prominent church choirs in Auckland have entered. The first prize is the Eady Shield and £ls 15s. Voices may number from 24 to 40, the pieces selected being the anthem, "By Babylon's Wave" (Gounod) and hymn, unaccompanied, . "Fierce Raged the Tempest" (Dykes). The smaller choirs will compete in a different section, the set pieces being anthem: "When Evening's Twilight" (Hatton) and hymn, unaccompanied, "Lead, Kindly Light" = (Sandon). The school choirs, open to all primary and secondary schools, have all undergone many weeks' training, and judging in this class promises to be extremely difficult. Spanish, classic, ballet, toe and skipping dances are set down for judging at Unity Hall, while combined ballet dancing will be spread throughout the evening sessions. There has been. a good response to the instrumental section, although piano duos and duets have not drawn as many entries as last year.

Debates and Essays. Particular interest attaches to the impromptu debates, the first of which takes place this evening. The speaker in the affirmative is allowed only one minute to prepare his argument and three minutes to advance it. The negative speaker must commence his argument immediately his opponent has finished, and is allowed three minutes. Such conditions would test the resourcefulness of the most experienced debater. It is gratifying to note that some of Auckland's most brilliant debaters have entered for this class. ' - The literary section has been carefully compiled. Indication of the wide educative value of the competitions is afforded by the variety of essay subjects, such as "How School Games Help Character," "A Visit to Our Zoo," and "The National Value of Radio." There is a New Zealand fairy tale for competition among children, and an original poem and short New Zealand story are open to all. An impression that only prize-winners receive a written criticism of their work from the judge is corrected by Mr. Frank Adeane, secretary and organiser of the festival. Each competitor is presented with a "copy of 1 the judges' comments and details of marks awarded. The order of performances will be the same -as last year. In classes heard during-the day the judge will recall -the three best performers, who will again appear at night and be finally placed. To-day's Programme. Commencing in the Town Hall concert chamber at two o'clock to-day, the first contest will be the humorous recitation for boys under iSffown selection), to be followed by song in character for boys and girls, ages 12 to 16. The song for boys under 12, the contralto operatic solo and the bass solo complete the afternoon's events in the concert ehamber. The operatic dance for children under 9. the children's toe dance, and the Shakespearean dialogue in character will be held in Unitv Hall this afternoon. After the official opening ceremony in the concert chamber at 7.30 this evening recalls in all the day classes will be heard, to be followed by the impromptu debate. The session will con. elude with an instrumental trio, comprising piano, violin and 'cello.