THE COMPETITIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19730, 1 September 1927, Page 12

THE COMPETITIONS.

ELOCUTIONARY CLASSES. MANY TALENTED PERFORMERS. CHAMPION PIANIST RECITAL. Additional vocal, instrumental anfl. elocutionary classes in the Auckland Competition Society's festival were judged in the Town Hail last evening. The playing of the finalists in thp champion pianist section was delightful, and the competitors were enthusiastically re ceived. Duets by pianists over 16 and solos by pianists over 18 were also judged. Humorous recitations by girls under 16 proved a most popular feature. There were six finalists. The first section winner's selection, "Bad and Naughty," was exceptionally well rendered. The finalists in the dramatic recital class both gave very talented performances. Their selections were from Wordsworth's works. Masefield's "The Seekers" was the chosen test recitation for men. and the interpretations were very good. The laides' test recitation, "The Downs" (Bridge*), and recitations with musical accompaniment, were also well received. Spanish ballet dancing by the pupils of Miss Aileen Beresford was very attractive. Two solo vocal sections and the class for Irish national songs were t'ecided. Owing to the very late hour at which th« evening session concluded, the judges' remarks are not available in several instances. Results are as follows: TEST RECITATION, Gentlemen. "The Seekers" (Masefield). Mr. T. Vivian, Grey Lynn, 83 points 1 Mr. F. Hargreaves, Auckland, 81 points 2 The judge said the winner's voice suited the piece well. Both interpretations were very fair. TEST RECITATION, Ladies. "The Downs" (Bridges). Miss Audrey Perry, Auckland, 86 points 1 Mrs. C. Thomson, Auckland, 84 points 2 Miss Gladys Griffith, Mount Eden, 81 points ..- , . . , . . . . 3 "The winner gave a most artistic performance," said the judge. The general fault was broken rhythm. HUMOROUS RECITATION, Girls under 16, Own Selection. Section A: Miss Kathleen Boyle, Ponsonby, 85 points 1 Miss Stella Lees, Mount Eden, 85 points *. . ,2 Miss Ruth Gourdie, Grey Lynn, 82 points . . . . . . . . . 3 Section B: Miss Elva Wrigley, Mount Eden, 82 points . . . 1 Miss Phyllis Torpy, Auckland, 31 points . . 2 Miss Ethel Turner, Papakura, 80 points 3 The judge said there was not much humour in some of the selections. The first essential in humorous recitations was to make people laugh. Section B was not equal to section A. DRAMATIC RECITAL, Own Selection. Ladies, from Wordsworth. Miss Enid Hoskiiig, Mount Eden, 184 points 1 Miss Eifrieda Hall, Heme Bay, 183 points .. .. .. ..2 Both performances were suited to be very good, although they were somewhat spoiled by broken rfiythm and the running together of vowels. RECITATION WITH MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT, Dramatic or Pathetic. Own Selection. Miss Phyllis Mobberley, Mount Albert, 103 points 1 Miss Doreen Saunders, Auclnand, 101 points 2 Miss Eifrieda Hall, Heme Bay, 100 points .. .. .. ..3 The judge stated the cohesion between piano and performer was good in the winning selection. IRISH NATIONAL SONG. Open to all. Own Selection, t . Miss Matilda Pederson, 170 points .. 1 Mr. T. Haworth, 169 points .. 2 Miss Rita Masson, 166 points .. 3 SOPRANO SOLO. "Spring's Awakening" (Sanderson). Miss Dorothy Richardson, Auckland, 184 points .. .. .. .. 1 Miss Edith Strange, Ponsonby, 182 points .. .. .. ..2 Miss Queenie Poore, Ponsonby, 177 points .. .. .. .. 3 ORATORIO SOLO, Contralto. "O Thou That Tellest'' ("Messiah"). Miss Edna Peace, Northcote, 183 points 1 Miss Gladys Wilson, Morningside, and Miss Doris Moore, Mount Eden, 177 points .. .. ..2 CHAMPION PIANIST RECITAL. Open to all. Mr. Eric Bell, Auckland, 350 points .. 1 Mr. Owen Jensen, Green Lane, 307 points 2 Miss Doris Binns, Grey Lynn, 290 points .. .. .. .. 3 PIANO SOLO, Restricted, over 18. "Fantasie Impromptu" (Chopin) and Own Selection. Mr. Eric Maxwell, Mount Eden, 347 points 1 Miss Edna Tye, Auckland, 333 points 2 Miss Erica Blamires, Devonport, 318 points 3 PIANO DUET, 16 and over. Own Selection. Misses Wilma Scott and Jean McArthur, 163 points .. .. 1 Misses Ruth Taylor and Winnie Webiter, 161 points .. ..2 Misses Dorothy and Eva Smith, 150 points 3 CHURCH CHOIRS' CONTESTS. REPORT OF THE'JUDGE. Mr. F. W. Slater, the adjudicator in the contests for church choirs, commenting on the performance of the Berestord Street Congregational Church choir, Auckland, the winners in the championship class for choirs of from 24 to 40 voices, says:—Anthem: "The winning choir had a firm, round tone, of excellent quality, and their work was imbued with fine spirit. Dynamic effects in evidence, and their light and shade work excellent. In their hymn number, however, they rather spoiled their performance with exaggerated effects—losing the reverent, spiritual atmosphere. Just a trifle theatrical in style, but the actual work was very good. A well-balanced choir, showing signs of good training." Referring to St. James' Presbyterian Church choir, Auckland, the runners-up in this section, the judge says:—Anthem: ■'This choir, although giving evidence of careful training, did not exhibit the same tonal effect which distinguished the winners, and their dynamics were much weaker. Far more colour and vigour was called for in this number." Hymn : "This was sung with nice, reverent feeling throughout, and was the best interpretation given by any of the choirs. Pitch was not sustained, but this choir has the best articulation of any." The Beresford Street Congregational Church choir was awarded 298 points, St. James' Presbyterian Church choir 292 points, the Dominion Road Methodist Church choir 286 points, and St. Paul's Methodist Church choir, Hamilton, 276 points. Of St. Thomas" and Epiphany choir, the winners in the class for choirs of from 16 to 24 voices, Mr. Slater states: —Part Song: "This choir sustained a very fine tone, and rendition was marked by delicacy and colour. A little more 'give

and take* in the tempo would have relieved the too correct stepping ol the notation." Hymn: ''Beautiful organ-like tone manifested throughout. A delightful exhibition of reverent, spiritual interpretation. Tempo never dragged, and the general atmosphere was .excellent." St. Paul's Methodist Church choir, Hamilton, were the runners-up in this class. Referring to their performance the judge says:—Part Song: "Work all through very nice and delicate. Contrasts good. Fine tone. Well-balanced cboir." Hymn: "Phrases kept intact. Pilch well sustained. A pleasing performance." St. Thomas' and Epiphany choir was awarded 337 points, and St. Paul's Methodist Church choir, Hamilton, 335 points. There were no other competitors. LITERARY CLASSES. DETAILS OF THE AWARDS. The adjudicator bt the literary classes, Mr. J. W. Shaw, has made the followc' ing awards: — ESSAY (15 and under 18). " The National Value of Radio." Miss Marion St. J. Biggs . . . . 1 Miss Trixie Harrison . . . . . 2 ESSAY (13 and under 15). "How School Games Help Character." Miss Betty Warren . . . . . . 1 Master Ronald Buchanan . , . . 2 Lucy Elliott and Winnie McDermott, highly commended. ESSAY (under 13). "A Visit to Our Zoo." Miss Audrey Hadrup ,1 Master Eric Chapman 2 Allan Crawford and Roma Temm, highly commended. NEW ZEALAND FAIRY TALE. (Under 15). Miss Una Barker 1 Master Jack W'arren 2 Rosalie Daniels and Nancy Graham, highly commended. SHORT NEW ZEALAND STORY. (Open to all). Rev. Jasper Calder .1 Miss Jean Bos well 2 J. K. Jameson and Alex. C. Hanlon, highly commended. ORIGINAL POEM. (Open' to all). Nora Stacey .1 Mr. H. P. Gandy 2 DEMONSTRATION CONCERT. A VARIED PROGRAMME. An excellent and varied programme has been arranged for the first demonstration concert by first prize winners and leading performers in the Auckland Competitions Society's festival. The entertainment will take place in the Town Hall this evening. Masses Distin and Edith Strange will sing " I Wish 1 Were a Tiny Bird" (Lohr), Miss Edna Peace, "A Sapphire Ode" (Brahms), and Miss Sybil Phiiiipps "The Hills of Donegal" (Sanderson). Further vocal items will be contributed by Misses Eva Berry and Rita Masson, Messrs. J. Littler and T. Haworth. Masters D. Lunny and D. Casey, and the Munter Quartette. Combined ballet dancing will be provided by Mile. Vaieska's pupils. Miss Iris Black will perform a classic dancej "The Sea," while Misses Gwenth Macnaughtan. Daphne Polglase, Cassie Gribble and Keitha Somerville will contribute other dance numbers. Elocutionary items will comprise a Shakespearean recital by Miss Audrey Perry, a Dickenii fostume recital by Miss Doris Messer, who will portray "Barnabv Rudge," a musical monologue by Miss Phyllis Mobberlev, and items by Miss Sybil Wright, Miss Rhona Speed and Mr. J. A. Sharp. In the instrumental section, pianoforte numbers will be played by Misses Wynona Wright and Una Moore, Miss Edna Tve and Miss Phyllis Cato. Miss Nellie Cameron will render a violin solo, "Hymn to the Sun" (Rimsky-Korsakoff), and Mr. F. Bowes will contribute a cornet solo. Misses M. McMurtrie and R- Brane and Mr. P. Black will play "Serenade" (Titl). TO-DAY'S CONTESTS. MANY IMPORTANT CLASSES. A number of large and important classes will be decided to-day. Elocutionary sections include sight reading for primary school pupils, of Standards IV., V.", and VI., Shakespearean recital for men, musical monologue, character dialogue for children, and test recitals for boys and girls under 16. Two important vocal classes to lie judged are the English national song, with 21 competitors, and the Welsh national song, which has attracted 19 contestants. The remaining classes are character and operatic dances for children, piano solo under 10, and songs by New Zealand composers by ladies.