DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12472, 1 October 1902, Page 6

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

< * ■ The efforts inade by the Dunedin Competitions Society to advance the cultivation of musical, elocutionary, and literary studies have met with greater appreciation than even the most sanguine had expected, and the attention that is>vidently being paid to the objects they have iu view augurs extremely well for the future prosperity of the society. Only last Saturday the members of the committee expressed the opinion' that the number of entries then revived, about 100, was fairly satisfactory, but 200 was considered a desirable numbei for a, first year's efforts. However, within the last two days the entries have come to in'dozens, and up to the present the secretaries have received no less than 650 for the various* events, while by the time all the entries are to hand the total is expected to reach the vicinity of 700. The society has not seen its way to include competitions in art study this year, but in succeeding years it will probably be found possible to extend the scope of the society and find a place for competitions of this nature. -Another feature in connection with the competitions that have been inaugurated in Australia and that has been omitted in Dunedin this year is a competition iu comedietta, but this may also be provided for in the near future. Considering the limited area from which the local society can expect entries, the number of competitors this year must be considered very : gratifying. Physical exercises have not yet found a place in the programme, but the. question of including them will no doubt be taken into consideration on some future occasion. The society has every reason to be satisfied with the number of entries received for the grand choir contest, which will undoubtedly prove a, great attraction to a very large number. Another interesting feature of the competitions should bo provided in a demonstration to be given by the prize winners in the various sections. In providing these competitions the society is not actuated by any monetary motives, as the sole object sought to be attained is to advance the cultivation of musical, elocutionary, and literary studies, more, particularly with a view to discovering latent in the different subjects exploited by the society. Since Miss Amy Castles made hor debut at one of these competitions in Ballarat several singers and speakers of considerable attainments have been brought into prominence as a result of similar functions held in Australian towns, in several of which the spread of these societies has been very marked. With such a promising Btart it only remains for the society to place as attractive a programme as possible before the public, and no doubt sufficient encouragement will bo given to justify the highest expectations of success. The entries in the principal events are as follow, while the other sections are also well filled:'—Original story, 24; original poem, 37; impromptu speech, 7; oration, 8; recitation ("Our Folks"), 25. recitation ("The Lady of Provence"), 19; recitation ("Michael Ivano-

witch"), 7; recitation '"Blue and Grey"), 40; recitation "Bingen on the Rhine"), 18; recitation, (" Tho March'of Company A"), 20; recitation (" Mark Antony's Oration"), 16; recitation (" Henry IV on Sleep"), 0; prepared reading, 17; piano solo (under 10 years), 18; piano solo (under 12), 11; piano solo (under 14), 21; piano solo (under 16), 26; piano solo (under 18), 18; piano solo (open), 7; piano solo (open to all, a.uy age), 12; pianoforte duet, 15; violin solo (under 13), 10; violin solo (under 15), 10; violin solo (any age), 10; soprano solo, G; mezzo-soprano solo, 8; contralto solo, 6; tenor solo, 11, baritone solo, 9; bass solo, 10; sacred solo (ladies), 6, aacrod eolo (gentlemen), 23; solo (boys and girls under 15), 10, vocal duet (gentlemen), 6; grand choir contest, 8 choirs.