TRINITY COLLEGE MUSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12403, 12 July 1902, Page 4

TRINITY COLLEGE MUSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES AND

MUSICAL CERTIFICATED

A very large number of ladies, with a slight sprinkling of gentlemen, assembled in the Agricultural Hall yesterday afternoon to witness the distribution of prizes and certificates, won under musical examinations, in connection with tho Trinity College, London. lii addition to tho formal presentation of the prizes and certificates by tho Rev. .Tames fiibb, a high-class musical programme was gone through in n highly creditable manner by a number of young ladies who have won distinction in connection with College examinations at some- time or other. The pianistes were Miss Edith Ferry, who played the first movement of (Meg's " Son»ta in E minor " ; Miss Alice Gow, whose selection was Bennett's " Hondo Piacevolo"; Miss Isabel Nieolson, who gave the rondo from Beethoven's' "Sonata is I)" (op. 28); and MissMary Wood?, who was exceptionally successful in her playing of the first movement of -Beethoven's " Sonata in 0 " (op. 35), and well deserved the recognition her fine performance received. Miss May Donaldson was 110 less successful in her playing of Mnsin's " Caprice de concert" on the violin. It was a most finished performance, and the young violinist was applauded Until sho returned to the stage and bowed her acknowledgment of the signal approval of the audience. Tho vocalists were Miss Kate Sinclair and Miss Anna Martinelli, the former of whom sang Schubert's "Ave Maria," and the latter Tosti's pretty song " Beauty's eyes." Miss Christina Russell', whose name appeared on the programme, sent an apology for not being present, Mr A. J. Earth explaining that there was some bereavement in the'youug lady's family. Mr A, ,T. Barth, in the absonce, of the Rev. W. Hewitson, chairman of 'committee, presided, besides taking part with Air A. Yallis in playing the accompaniments, and ■the Itev. .Tames Gibb gave a short- address, and distributed tho certificates and prizes. . Mr Barth said that it fell to him to take the pllice of the chairman, Mr Hewitson, I that afternoon, wlid had sent, a telephone message that be was unwell and could liot go out. Hp v.'as sure all present would regret Mr. Hewitson',s inability to bo pre* sent, and be (Mr Barth) would content himself with making a few announcements with regard to the. Trinity College work. There had been a decrease this year in the musical knowledge candidates, of nine, and in the practical examinations there Was an increase of 25. For the future there would be two examinations in the year in musical knowledge—viz., in June and December. The papers would be -longer attd the time extended to three hour;. The higher theory examination Would take place in July. Since the higher examinations had been openod to tllo colonies, Dunedin had done well. Tll 189.9 the diploma of Associate in Music (A.T-C.L.) was gained in theorv by Miss Eupliomia Yorston and Miss Yida Hampton. In 1900 Miss Eva. Hood received word that she had passed, and A.T.C.L, (Pianist) was her title. In 1901 at the practical examination in November Miss Mary Woods gained the Associate (A.T.CJ.L.), and Miss Edith Ferry, Miss Alice Gow, and Miss Isabel Nieolson had tho title of certificated pianists, and Miss May Donaldson that of a certificated violiniste. In December last year a lusher harmony examination was held, and Miss Bella Gibson gained the Associate (A.T.C.L.), and Mr Alexander Frazer, of Kaitangata, gained a special harmony certificate. Miss Ina Fea was the winner of ono of the throe exhibitions offered by Trinity Collcgo, and would receive free tuition to the value of £9 9s. It was to be regretted that her name could not be included in the programme for that afternoon. The Dunedin centre offered an exhibition 011 the same terms. There were 12

> candidates who had entered for tho higher I examinations this year. Mr Barth alco men- . tioncd that in regard to the prizes won this [ year it had been their intention to give prizes to all who gained 80 per cent, in the , junior division of tho musical knowledw examinations. But there were four who had ■gained 80 per cent., and if thoy gave pri7cs : cxpcnscs would bn mounting- up ! The P.cv. ,James Gibb, who had been asked ' e™r^ C n r , Cadtl , res 3of tho »««■>«», after expressing lus pleasure at being present wi" 1 d ° H now ind <* d I™y ' f„r P" ,ar,) ; a PF r °P»ato to tho oj. « Oil, for I am not a musical expert. It ia at ,°"c time I had a rather close- , connection with music of a sort, for I waa I But tint''if Inn 0 a stude , nis ' cllOT «l society. But that is long ago, and if jdo t k * how to sing myself, lamnt j t f ™ '.of music, and from that point of view it iJ &,'! otUn « tt '!!« t!mt 1 slln " ld be asked inn. 1 )OU . d . a 3 r - is indeed a stand- , •» mine that my onsaeementa I ' 1 ™ ™i! |'o opportunity of listening to the- |. r J excellent music winch from time to time may be hoard in Duncdin. I do not' of lh! X to'? ly t V h ° f ingin S and 0 the g, cat artiste who sometimes visit us. i'or .a city of its size, I think wo mav fairly say that Dunedin possess a good many cxccilont nngore, and not a few who SL ? i , anoy 13 much moro difficult— impart real pleasure by their plaving. Th« of 'IVinif n 5 ,. on , don ? undor 1)10 auspices 1 liftwi P°. l las doubtless helped not ™« b /' ng ■'"? a , bout - 1 ™ wro, ob K inn , mi i s ' cal ? dl,catlon is on tho inln Diinedin. I remember, 17 or 18 IZy SO ;J a ver > r fine pianist and srs c/ err i"° ? chere ' ; l complain of -V „ ° USI , C culturc her? - He said H»at ho welcomed even the Salvation Artny Snnlnf n P °r ° m , eans of likening the iking of the citizens for music, if not of ona kind, then of another. About that time it t0 llear Persons of mod t,r p!a ' n,ng r?° Sort ot P 6rf °™ttnces to Which one was often treated at evening out and, truth to tell. I think there wis Rnf thnTf •«" eno " g !', for their strictures, «Ut that has either passed,'or is swiftly passmg away. A remarkable number of people can smg nowadays so as to givo some p n °; , r ° f , pl f? s,lrfl t0 listeners, -q .ally remarkable i* the number of perpo « of both sexes who go in for lessons in singing. Well, not only musicians and neoplo of refined musiral tantcs should bo glad of tins, but everyone who cares for the well2?i contmunity. Music is unm v T)7 1, e i lv ." s . lng a ß° no »'' I "'ink I ov. •f. v'. " ! *lt it is on the whole even a Ohnslmnisinir agency. No doubt it is sometimes, and, indocd. too often, employed in the sorviee of evil, but for one who gets harm either from the practice 6f this art or i? 1 ™ ii l lmp ! to m , usical Performances there, aie 10 that get good. Have vou ever noticed the very significant fact tlwt music is the only one of tho arte that has attained a greater perfection under Christianity than «ni er paganism ? I suppose our best painters and sculptors would admit that nulling Ims been done m the Christian centuries, either m painting or sculpture, that comes up to tho level of the great Greek artists. Oer-. tainly (hat is tho case with respect at least to sculpture. But it was Christianity that made music, and tho most magnificent mi'<io ever written or sung, or played has had religion a? its (heme. Well, having raid that, it will not peem amiss if I say that the« greatest success in this art can'be reached only by those who forget themselves in their work and smg or play, not for the praisea Of then; fellows, tut because r.f a sheer flight m singing or playin?. I have sometimes been more moved by the singing of nil amateur than by the performance of a professional, whose mastery of technique was very much greater, and whose voieo was alFo much finer. Aud why? Just because the professional did not let you forget that he or she was a professional There was a, verr Rtvat deal of art, but-.veiy little soul, and it is soul that pays in this sphere as in every other. You will do your best work only II you forgot ycnrsc-lf and work for the fake of the work. In the "Crown of Wild Olive.?' ivuSKin has a very striking sentence. Ho says: "If your work is first with you and your fee second (and instead of fee you,mar substitute the praise of men), work is your master and the lord of Work who is God. jMu if your fe© is first with you and your work second, fee i's your master and the lord of fee who is (lie dcvjl." One of the most famous cantafrices of a 1 bygone day Jenny Lind, said, "I sing to God." It was a very noble saying, and in her ease entirely' free from cant. It isn't, only hymns and oratories that can be'sung in "that way. All music, all art. all honest work of every, land may have this sis its master motive, and work inspired by motive will certainly be work of which one can say these three tnuigs: It will be the best a man or woman ran do;, it will afford the worker the highest measure of satisfaction; and it'will be of the greatest profit to other people. 'I :!o not think it is needful to say more. I trust that the successful candidates will be inspired to carry on their studies with even greater zest, and that those who luft© failed may not be discouraged.—(Applause.) I'ho following is a list, of tho names of those who received.certificates or prizes:— Musical Knowledge Examination.-Junior Division: Misses Matv Dow, Jessie Wishart, Catherine Flotcher, Elsie Ford, Mary Hart, ' Euphcmia M'ly.yaji, and Jeannie Scott, Intermediate Division: Misses I 11& Ford, Mabel Wrijht, Mr Alexander Brown, awl Miss Jessie Reid. Senior Division; Misses Isabel Smail, Saidee West, Violet Patrick, and Ina. Gow. Practical Examination,—Preparatory Grade: Misses Doia. Williams and Agnes Loudon. Junior Division Miss Bertha lipid, Mr James l'ussmore, and Miss Theresa, Connor. Intermediate Division: Misfes Jessia Wishavt and ianny Alla'i. Senior Bivisiou: Afisses Ina l'ea, Selinda Ilinmiel, and Anna Martinelli. ; Higher. Examinations.—'Theory: Miss Bella Gibson and Mr Alexander Fraser (special harmony certificate). Practical examination:' Misses Mary Woods, Edith iVrry, Alice Gotr, Isnbel Nieolson, anil May Donaldson.