SONG AND STORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11296, 23 August 1922, Page 6

SONG AND STORY

THE COMPETITIONS GOVERNOR-GENERAL PERFORMS OPENING CEREMONY. FIRST DAY’S RESULTS. With the turn of the year, the unnoticed fleeting of days, competition time is back upon us again. For the fifth time in its history the Wellington Competitions Society is holding its annual festival, and from the programme one can say unhesitatingly that it bids fair to be the most successful yet. The entries reoeived eclipse those of prior years in practically every class; in the total they mount higher than those of the previous year by nearly 100. And this is only another proof that the healthy spirit of competition is being infused into the community; in other wordß, that the object of the society to foster this spirit and to turn this keenness to account by directing .it into the channels of music and elocution, and thus raise the standard of those two very essential arts, is being accomplished. Elocution is the foundation of our speech; of music we can never have too much. The society recognises that a student will work doubly hard when he realises that he is to be pitted against his equals and perhaps superiors. The competitive spirit is deeply rooted in the human race; and so, since we have seen the Competitions Society make its slow but powerful growth in our midst, there have been studios training their members specially for thi9 test. Set pieces have been carefully “worked up” many months ahead, self-chosen songs and recitations have been studied with an attention of the closest nature, and, to judge by the performances yesterday, with an enthusiasm of no small degree. THE STANDARD RAISED.

The standard has been raised. Of that there is no question. To a “New Zealand Times” representative yesterday, officials of the society expressed their opinion that the classes so far taken show a marked improvement upon those of previous years. “The remarkable fact so far is that every singer who has gone on the platform has sung in tune,” said one prominent officer, and he added that it is the first time in the history of the competitions that this has occurred. Again, the selection of songs in the classes where competitors’ own choice is allowed shows an improvement. Many of the songs are of better quality; more of the older composers are to be seen on the programme; and the modem musical men whose names appear are worthy of higher esteem than some of those previously - sung. The “favourite song,” too, is' notably absent. Afternoon sessions will not be required to listen to half a dozen renderings of the one song, as was often the qase of old. The voices are of excellent quality, and it is to he hoped that the competitors will take the remarks of the judge to heart and remedy any little faults in technique which he may point out. CAPABLE OFFICIALS. The judges and officials are as follow:—lnstrumental, Mr A. W. Juncker (Sydney); elocution, Mr John H. Hopkins (Melbourne); vocal music, Mr A. W. Juncker (Sydney); fancy dancing, Miss Cecil G. Hall (Auckland); accompanist,- Mr Harold Whittle; accompanist (monologues), Miss Sherwin; stage manager, Mr W. P. McLachlan. Mr G. W. Jenner is again anting in a secretarial capacity, and _ assistance in supervising the competitions is being given by the president, vice-presi-dent, and members of the executive council. KEEN COMPETITION. All day long yesterday bright young faces were to be seen in the spaces of the Town Hall. An early start was made, and in the main hall the competitors in the' piano solo (under 21), the soprano or mezzo solo, the tenor operatic solo, and the sacred contralto an<j baritone or bass classes were heard. Elocutionary items were relegated to the Concert Chamber, where Mr John H. Hopkins, of Melbourne, adjudicated. The keenness of the competitors was noticeable, there being few defaults. The total of the competitors who failed to answer their names was only 6 in the musical classes and only 4 in the elocutionary items. ■ In the evening the recall numbers were heard. Results are given below. THE EVENING SESSION GOVERNOR-GENERAL PRESENT. His Excellency the Governor-General (Viscount Jellicoe), Her Excellency, and a party from Government House, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.) were present at the evening performance. The, president of the society (Mr F. G. Cray) extended a welcome to Their Excellencies and His Worship and the visiting judges. Tho competitions had proved a steady success and ho hoped that they would continue to be so in the future. Mr Hopkins was an old friend; he had adjudicated for tho society on the elocutionary side three years ago, and they were pleased to see him back again. 'He explained the withdrawal of tho national dancing section from the programme. They had had this yeai 2342 entries as against 2248 last year, in spite of the exclusion of these dances, which had been replaced by other classes. The Caledonian and other societies interested themselves specially in national dancing, and hence ample opportunity was afforded the children outside of the activities of the Competitions Society. Ho concluded by expressing the hope that the public Would continue to support the enterprise of the society and to" take advantage of riie entertainment provided, which he hoped would also enable the society to enlighten. A HUMOROUS SPEECH. His Excellency followed with a humorous speech. "The president made only one mis take,” hie opened, “when he said that 1 had something to say.” To a ripple of laughter ho continued to state that he had nothing especial to say, save to express the pleasure that Her Excellency and he himself felt to attend and declare open these competitions. “Which,” he reiparked amidst laughter, “have already been in progress some time.”

Ho regretted that the president had confused him with His Worship tlio Mayor in the course of some eulogistic remarks; but was pleased to accept tho benefit of anything which “added up to his account.” He did not think it necessary to stress the value of competitions from the educational point of view. Nothing, in his experience, was over gained without competition, which was the soul, of efficiency. They had

discovered that in the Navy, and the efficiency of the Navy was almost entirely due to the fostering of the competitive spirit. Similarly, in other directions, he believed in the effectiveness of competition, especially in education, though he did not believe in cramming. “A HEALTHY SPIRIT.” The healthy spirit of competition bo tween youngsters was what was wanted, and he sincerely hoped that the aspirations of the president (as set out in another column) would he fulfilled and that competitions would be held in all the four centres and that the final and great festival would take place. He did not see why Wellington should have the cream of the competitions and the other cities not have any such opportunity. Humorously, ho suggested that the judges, at the end of the festival, should give a display for the benefit of the competitors. Sir Juncker, he thought, might sing and play, and Mr Hopkins deliver an address, and he was sure that all the competitors and all the audience would derive benefit. This he threw aside as a casual suggestion. His Excellency resumed his seat to tremendous applause. DEVELOPING LATENT TALENT. Mr Wright, in the course of a brief speech, mentioned his belief that it was necessary to develop the individual characteristics of the competitors and to develop the civic sense. They should do their utmost to endeavour to prove that younger countries could produce genius equal to that of the old lands. Sooner or later the competitions were hound to develop the latent talent in the country. Mr A. W. Juncker (judge of instrumental and vocal music) expressed his appreciation of the excellent organisation of the society, and Mr John H. Hopkins (adjudicator of the elocutionary classes) also thanked the president for his remarks. He thought that the committee were to be congratulated upon the very comprehensive programme which they had produced. It was indubitably the most comprehensive programme which ho had seen. He also congratulated the committee upon the numerous entries. RESULTS IN DETAIL PIANO SOLO. IS to 21; “Toccatina,” op. 25 (HemeeJt) Mr Geo. Mackay (Wellington), 92 points I Miss Ivy Middlemiss (Levin), 90 points 2 Miss May Talhot (Kelbura), 88 points 3 Mr Maokay, said the judge, had made a good start, his arpeggio work had been good, also hie descending diminuendos and his tempo good throughout. The piece was a very diffiout one, and all three candidates had played it very well. NAVY LEAGUE RECITATION. Boy or girl under 16. “Hawke” (Sir Henry New bolt). Prizes awarded both to boys and girls. Girls. Joyce Staff (Ouistchurch), 81 points 1 Miss Effice Brioe (Kilbirnie), 79 points 2 Miss Joyce Julian (Wellington), 78 points 3 Boys. Master Geo. Power (Wellington), 79 points .... 1 Master Ronald Foster (Christchurch), 78 points 2 Master Bert Goodland, 76 points ... 3 Highly commended—Misses Thelma Aitken (Wellington), Mavis Ritchie (Christchurch), Kathleen Philpott (Ghristchnroh), and Master Lawrence Searle (Wellington). ACTION SONG. Boy or Girl under 9. Own selection. Miss Phyllis Round (Christchurch), 90 points 1 Miss Qineenie McLean (Wellington), 88 points 2 Miss May Martin (Wellington), 83 points .3 SACRED SOLO, CONTRALTO. Own Selection. Miss T. Watson (Gisborne), “Oh, Divine Redeemer,” 88 points 1 Sirs Clarice Goldsmith (Wellington), 87 points 2 Miss Margaret Smith (Muritai), 86 points 3 Mies W atson had made a good start, and liad a fine natural voice. Her production was fair, and her singing musically correct. She had been a little blatant on the high notes, perhaps, but altogether had given a very good rendering. Mrs Goldsmith possessed a fine contralto voice, more matured than the other candidates. Occasionally she had given the wrong value to notes (a thing which was very important), and her slight nervousness had affected her breathing. Her intonation had been slightly faulty. Miss Watson had a good voice and nice presence, hut had sung slightly out of tunc. HUMOROUS RECITATION. Girls under 12. Own selection. Miss Alice Chapman (Christchurch), “That Angelic Child,” 79 points 1 Miss Joyce Dinnieon (Wellington), 78 points 2 Miss Iris Tonks (Lyall Bay), 76 pts. 3 Highly commended —Misses Stella Chapman (Christchurch), Kathleen Chappie (Christchurch), Zelma Carroll (Wellington), and Joan Maunder (Wellington). SOPRANO OR MEZZO SOLO. Own selection. Mrs T. Glennie (Wellington), <vSolveig’a Song,” 91 points 1 Miss Edith Morrison (Otaki), 90 pts. Sf Miss Stella Stehr (Auckland), 88 f ' points '. 3 Mrs Glennie’s performance had been a very good and tuneful one. She had a melodious voice, and in all points had given a good rendering. Miss Morrison had chosen a very difficult solo (“Villanclle”), and had a good quality of voice. Sfie was a lyric soprano, and her enunciation had been fairly good; her taking of the cadenzas had also been good. Miss' Stehr had a good voice, well produced; hut was inclined to be a little blatant on the higher notes. BARITONE OR BASS SOLO. Own selection. Mr Ashley Macdonald (New Ply. mouth), “Hybrlas the Cretan,” 94 points k- 1 Mr Audrey BecKtord (Wellington), 92 points 2 Mr Ernest Jones (Brooklyn), 91 pts. 3 The winner had sung tunefully, and his voice-production had been good, his runs also being taken nicely. Mr Beckford had been very distinct in his rendering; but had missed his pauses. The third singer had given a good dramatic rendering,of a very difficult song (Mozart’s “Non Andrai”), but bad been a little jerky sometimes. Still, he had sung very well. LADIES’ SHAKESPEAREAN RECITATION. Open Class. Selection from "Coriolanus,” Act V., Scene 3. Miss Phyllis Adame (Wellington), 79 points 1 Miss Sheila Neileon. (Wellington), 78 points 2 Miss Myra Edmondh (Christchurch), 77 points .. 3 The judge expressed his disappoint-

ment of the way that this had been rendered. Here had been a fine piece which gave a great deal of scope for dramatic action; but m this the ladies had failed. They had treated it too much like a recitation, whereas it was a strong piece of dramatic art. In it Volumnia was pleading with Coriolanus, her son, in the Roman camp. Four people were in the scene, and, though only one spoke, the others were suggested by facial expression, gestures and pansation. He would have liked to have seen the competitors fling themselves down on their knees at the end. The winner had given a very good rendering; her gestures had been a little stiff, perhaps; but otherwise her work was excellent. OPERATIC TENOR SOLO. Own Selection. Mr B. G. Maynall (Kilbirnie), “Take a Paw of Sparkling Eyes,” 88 points 1 Mir Frank Bryant (Petone) 87 points 2 The winner had sung in better tempo than the next competitor, but he had broken time once or twice. Ffm high notes were good. So ateo were Mr Bryant’s. He had a nice quality of tone and gave a fair rendering. Both singers had gone wrong in one place, hut on examination he had found that the mistake was due to an error in the music. During the evening the first of the “Stories Without Words,” was given. This was “Tommy’s First Cigarette,” which was -acted by Messrs John Watchman and C., Moore, both of Wellington. This was. a passable sketch. Preliminaries will resume at 9.30 a.m. to-day- in both the Town Hah and the Concert Chamber.