COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 12

COMPETITIONS FESTIVAL.

VERY BRIGHT PROSPECTS.

LARGE LIST OF ENTRIES.

Prospects for tho Auckland Competitions Society's festival, which is to commence in tho Lewis Eady Hall on Thursday morning, arc much brighter than in past years. With 1010 entries, considerably more than last year, and with keen interest displayed in tho festival by musicteachors and others, who have donated tiophies, indications point to a good measure of success.

Ono thing iu particular which has been responsible for increased public confidence in the society is tho appointment of four judges, ono for each section, instead of three as previously. Tho society is satisfied that it has obtained the services of highly-competent adjudicators.

Tho vocal section will be judged by Mr. Lance Craig, organist and choirmaster of St. Andrew's Church, Hastings, and conductor of the Napier Choral Society. He has had lengthy experience as a judgo .it prominent festivals in tho South. Madamo Grace Griffiths, of Wanganui, will bo in charge of the instrumental music section. Sho is a versatilo and accomplished musician, and has appeared with her sister on tho concert platform many times, as well as being a leading teacher of pianoforte. Miss Audrey Hughes-Johnson, of Wanganui, will iudge tho dancing section, and Mr. J. w. Bailey, of Wanganui, will judgo tho elocutionary classes. Both have distinguished records in their respective fields. Miss Theo Halpin, of Auckland, will act as the official accompaniste during tho festival. Tho school choir soction is one in which the increased interest has been distinctly manifest. Ten choirs have entered for the contest, and a handsoino shield will bo presented to tho winning choir. Last year only one choir entered, and interest in tho soction was consequently only slight. In Somo of the vocal sections entries have been so heavy that classes havo of necessity been divided into two. Tho champion pianist section has attracted considerablo attention from entrants, as two valuable trophies have been donated, ona by the Auckland Savage Club and one by tho Auckland Society of Musicians. Gold and silver medals have been freely donatod by privato individuals and city firms. In addition, the society has purchased in advance a largo number of prizos. Competitors' interest has not been confined merely to the Auckland Province, and many entries havo been received from the other provinces in tho North Island. As is usual with such competitions, tho preliminary trials will bo taken in tho mornings and afternoons. Those competitors whose items are suited and who havo given a sufficiently good performance will contribute the recall items for tho evenings. It is hoped to havo 14 such items every ovening. Sessions will commence at half-past nine each moraine;, of tho eight days on which judging will be held, and with two-hour intervals for luncheon and tea, will continue until about 10 o'clock at night. On the concluding Saturday, October 26, a grand demonstration concert of tho pi'izo-\Vinning items will bo held in tho Town ITall.