THE COMPETITIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11006, 15 September 1921, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

LAST COMPETITIVE DAY DEMONSTRATION CONCERT TO-NIGHT. YESTERDAY’S RESULTS. Keen enthusiasm again prevailed at the competitions yesterday, when the attendance was quite as large as on any previous day. The competitions from the competitive point of view are now finished, but the choicest programmes of the season are yet to be seen in the demonstration concerts tonight and to-morrow, when all the prize-winners will appear in a grand concert. The day’s results are as follow: CHILDREN’S FLAY. “Puck and the Fairies,” 100 points I “Hubert and Arthur” (Miss Fay Smith, Masters Willie Knox, Garnet Phillips, and lan Cook), 90 points ;-•••• 2 “The Rose and the Wind” (Misses Peggy McDonald, Jean McLeay, Julie Maris, Olive Warwick, Joy Weston, Trixie Luke, and Nancy Macdonald), 80 pts. 3 PIANO SOLO. Sixteen and under eighteen. “La Truite” (Schubert-Heller). Miss May F. Talbot (Wellington), 181 points 1 Mr Lionel E. Bellhouse (WellingtonX 174 points 2 RECITATION. Competitions Society’s Scholarship. Sixteen and under tweaty-one. Miss Mary Cooley (Wellington), 285 points 1 Mr O. Gordon Kirk (Wellington), 275 points :... 2 Miss Hazel Jeffrey (Wellington), 271 points 3 Miss Gladys Gammon (Marton), 263 • points ..: 4 DICKENS CHARACTER. SKETCH. Ladies’ own selection. Mrs Enid Frye (Christchurch), 110 points 1 Miss May Bain • (Auckland), 98 points 2 Miss M. Burt (Lower Hutt), 90 , points 3 PIANO DtJET. Open. Own selection. Misses Dorothy and May Talbot (Wellington), 183 points 1 Messrs H. Robinson and E. F. Tanner (Lower Hutt), 178 points ... 2 VOCAL DUET. Ladies. Misses Marjorie and Doris Clark (Wellington), 168 points 1 Misses G. F. Esau and Ramsay (Wellington), 161 points 2 Misses Elsie and Doreen Harper (Hataitai), 157 points 3 DICKENS ■CHARACTER. SKETCH. Gentlemen.' Own selection. Mr O. Gordon Kirk (Wellington), 100 points 1 Mr V. Evans (Wellington), 90 points 2 CHOIR CONTEST. Petone Methodist Choir (Mr Lather, conductor), 171 points '... 1 St. Mary of the Angel’s Choir (Mr E. G. Healey, conductor), 149 'points *. 2 QUARTETTE MALE VOICES. Petone Male Quartette (Messrs Jenkins, Davis, Johnson and Boook), 169 points 1 VOCAL DUET, -GENTLEMEN. Open Class. Own Selection. Messrs Oakey and Phipps (Wellington), 168 points 1 Messrs Robbins and Oakey (Wellington), 166 points 2 Messrs S. Temple and R. Smith (Christchurch), 162 ■ points 3 CHARACTER DANCE 1 , f Nine and under 12. Misses Sinclair Breen (Wellington) and Rene Zander (Wellington), 88 points (equal) 1 Miss Dorothy Manhiri (Christ? church), 82 points .3 Miss Trixie Luke and Master Martin Carroll (Wellington) highly commended. OPERATIC DANCE. Nine and under 12. (Polka time.) Master -Martin Carroll (Wellington); 83 points 1 rXiss Sinclair Breen. (Wellington), 82 points . . 2 Misses Trixie Luke and Rene Zan-' der, 79 points (equal) 3 TO-NIGHT’S ATTRACTION FIRST DEMONSTRATION OON- ■ CERT. A distinctly attractive programme has been prepared for to-night, the occasion being the first of the demonstration concerts, which have proved so popular in the past. The winners in many sections will appear, and the various items have, been'nicely varied. There is sure to lie a very large audience in the Town Hall. -Seats may be booked at the Bristol. Inquiries have .been made about the non-appearance of Master Jack Watters, the well-known boy soprano, in the Wellington Competitions. It is stated that he is not able to compete on account of throat troubles. Winners of trophies are requested to ottiin same at the secretary’s office as early- as possible. , FANCY DANCING COMMENTS OF JUDGE. The fancy dancing contests having been completed, the judge, Miss Cecil Hall, of Auckland, expressed her opinion of the .work to a “Times” representative. Miss Hall said: —“Though it has been hard work judging the fancy dancing section of the Wellington Competitions, it has also been a pleasure to me, not only in seeing so many clever little competitors, but also because all those who’ are responsible for the splendid organisation and management of the Competitions have made everything so easy and' pleasant as possible for me. The dance items cme on in such quick succession, and one has to be’so prompt in judging.

marking the papers, and writing remarks, 'that it is very difficult to do one’s best. However, it is always evident from the first few steps a competitor takes in which class she will be placed, top, middle, or bottom. Techniqne, rhythm, expression, interpretation (which includes manner of interpreting the music and idea 'of the dance, gracefulness, personality, etc.), and lastly the arrangement of the dance, all have to ■be marked, and the total summed up. MANY CLEVER CHILDREN. “There were numbers of clever children, and many well taught, but perhaps they had not been learning so long as some of the prize-winners, or they may have- been nervous or not feeling up to the mark, and, therefore, did not get into the ‘finales.’ In one case a girl who had every chance of coming top did not do so well in the finals as she did in the afternoon session. She told me afterwards when I told her this that she was afraid her stocking was coming down. This was hard luck ; but as the final marks count, she had to come second. “I think in some cases the music could have 'been much better. So very much of the dance depends on the music in how it is played. I would advise all 'competitors in the future to see they have a thoroughly good pianist. There were some children, of course, who should never have entered for the competitions. Many a clever child’s dances are spoilt through the rudiments of dancing not being properly taught by good exercises—such as turning the limbs well out from the thigh, to be taken gently and gradually at first; the proper carriage of the body and head, and simple, graceful movements of the arms and hands. Also, so many faces are a blank (not always the teacher’s fault, and -sometimes due to nervousness), - when a little natural smile, with the eyes not glued to the stage, would make all the difference, to the simplet dance. PUPILS AND TEACHERS. “Also, may I remark, that many people will think because So-and-So’s pupils gained most prizes, "she must be the beet teacher. That is not always the rule. There may be many reasons why Mias So-and-So’s pupils did not get many prize®. One teacher may be lucky enough to have cleverer children than another teacher, or her best pupils may not have entered for the competitions. “I should like all the little prizewinners to remember they can always go on learning; and that they will have to look harder than ever now to keep Up their success; there are always many others coming along who may .take their places.”