THE COMPETITIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11933, 13 September 1924, Page 11

THE COMPETITIONS

YESTERBAY'B EVENTS MAORI DANCING AGAIN AROUSES ENTHUSIASM. DEMONSTRATION CONCERT. Another afternoon and evening and the fifth festival of the Competitions Society will be over. It will, however, b* remembered as one of the most successful events of its kind ever held in the Dominion. Yesterday at the Town Hall, Mr Bennett North heard the English song lor basses, contralto solo, English song for mezzo-sopranos, and the vocal duet. In all sections he expressed his approval at the performances, and remarked an the high standard set by the competitors. In the evening the second’ demonstration concert was given, and the two items by the Hamua Glee Club, of Masterton—a poi dance and a canoe dance—were received with thunderous applause. There is no doubt that the items by the Maoris have been the most popular of the competitions. The ether items were particularly fine, and the large audience expressed their approval in no uncertain fashion. There will be a further demonstration concert this afternoon, the programme being composed of children’s items plus two dances by the Maoris, and to-night the final demonstration concert will take place, when Native dances wil be again featured. The results of the sections heard yesterday are as follow: ENGLISH SONG. Bass; own selection. Recalls: —Mr J. Donaldson, Dannevirke, “Up from Somerset” ; Mr Leonard Daniell, Wellington, “The Windmill.” Highly commended: —Mr George Neel, Wellington, “Down Among the Dead Men”; Mr Alex. Murray, Wellington, “Devon, Oh Devon.”’ Mr Bennett North said that he was very with the work in this section. F'inal. 'Mr Donaldson, 90 points 1 Mr Daniell, 85 points 2 Mr Bennett North eaid that the winner had chospn a good song. He showed touches of word colour and good control, and altogether had improved since the beginning of the festival. Mr Daniell had a splendid organ, rich and resonant, but his delivery could be improved. CONTRALTO SOLO. “Lovely Spring,” low key (William Coennen). Recalls: —Miss Lorna Smith, Dunedin ; Miss 'Nellie Amies, Wellington; Miss Hilda Nicholls, Petone. Highly commended: —Miss Aileen Noble, Lower Hutt.: Mrs C. Goldsmith, Miramar; Mrs Emma Astill, Kilbirnie. The oontraltos again set a high it an (land, and were again praised by the judge. Their work was most pleasing. Final. Miss Amies, 90 points I Miss Smith, 87 points * Miss Nichplls, 87 points * ‘Second, equal. The winner, remarked Mr North, had a lovely voice, and had given a steady and careful performance. Miss Smith also had a good voice, and was improving. Miss Nicholls had created an atmosphere, but her performance in the evening was not quite up to that of the afternoon. ENGLISH SONG. Mezzo-soprano; own selection. Recalls: —Mrs Alice Harris, Wellington, “Loyal Lover”; Miss T. Stevenson, Auckland, “Tip Toe” ; Miss Beatlice Aydon, Nelson, “Cherry Ripe.” Highly commended: —Miss Essie Mil/er, Stratford, “Banks of Allan Water” ; Mrs Gwen Clayton, Wellington, “She Wandered Down the Jlountein Side”; Miss Kathleen Deane. Auckland, “’Love Has Eyes”; Miss Rhona Dee, Nelson, “Home, Sweet Home.” There were several good voices in this” class, said Mr Bennett North, and, on tbo whole, the .selections were very good. Those highly commended were very little behind the recalls.