COMPETITIONS' SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18048, 23 September 1920, Page 8

COMPETITIONS' SOCIETY

ANNUAL FESTIVAL. Tie nineteenth omraal festival of the Dunedln Oompebitians Socioty -was commenced in Hia Majesty's Theatre and the Victoria Hall yesterday. There was a very fair attendancfc at tho afternoon session, and in tho CMenuig tha thoa£ro vnts fairiy well filled, thus showing that tho interest which these competitions ha*e aroused iu tho past is maintained, and that they continue to possess a "wide appeal as a popular attraction. At tho opening session in tho morning Mr E. C. Reynolds (vice-president) explained that owing to tho late arrival of the Manotou tho musical judgo (Mr Gibson Young, of Melbourne) vvouJd l>o imai>lo to underj his duties itntil tho following 1 evening, and Mr Victor Galway Jiad kindly consented to take his place until tho following day. He was certain they all felt deeply indebted to-Mr Galway for coming to thair rescue in tho manner which ho had done. In tho evening; tho ciffiaial opening took place. Mr Reynolds, in declaring t.lie festival open, recalled the fact that tho Duncdin Society was rho iirst to inaugurate these competitions in Now Zealand, and, despito tl»e depressing: oiroumsta.nco3 and reduced patronage during the w.ir period, it had beetn «ablo to keep going, whilo most, if not j l other fociotics in tho dominion had been compelled to olese down. Thc 00 present occasion totalled ovor ICOO, and there would bo interesting programmes throughout. Tho eociety had been fortunate in securing tho services of Mr Gibson Young, of Melbourne, as musical judge,_ Mr Oulford Bell, of Wellington, for • elocaition, Mi si; listellb Beere for the fancy dancing contests, and Mr A. Campbell and Signor Squariso as judge of tho Highland dancing and fifo and dr;in events respectively. This year tho society had been very fortunate in that tho followiing firms and private citizens had donated scholarships:— Tho Bristol and Messrs C. Begg and Co. (piano sections), Messrs R. Hudson and. Co. and James Brown (vocal sections), and Mr C. F._ Oliver (chief piimo oontest). The committee desired to thank these donors, and it trusted that others who had the competitions at heart would provide further scholarships next year. The public, he felt sure, appreciated the good work of tho society in bringing forward local talent, and it only remained to show that appreciation in a tangible manner by a generous measure of patronage. In conclusion, Mr Reynolds read a cablegram which had been received from Mr Paine, a former' judge, conveying his greetings to the society, and 'wishing the festival every success. It was very pleasing, ho remarked, to see that Mr Paine still retained an interest in tho Thin* edin Competitions.—(Applause.) Mr Culford Bell, in thanking the chairman for the welcome which ho had extended to the judges, slid that such festivals were of tho greatest all concerned. and if the competitors approached tho various contests in a spirit of willingness to learn and to improve they would find their experience of tho greatest value. He asked those who failed to win a prize not to lose heart or to be discouraged, for after all the unsuccessful competitors wore the backbone of the competitions:— The following are tho results of yesterday's sessions:— MUSIC. Judge: Mr Victor Galway. PIANO DUET, 16 and under 18 years.— "Country Dance" (German). ■

Misses Winnie Geddes and Elva Baker, 77 1 Miss G. Mollison and Roomer Boecking, 70 2 These were the only competitors, and Mr Galway, in giving his award, said both had made rather a good showing. The winners bad played with nice balance and a pleasingly shaded tempo, and! had given some nice contrasts whioh the other pair had lacked. MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLO (amateurs). —"My Love is Like a Bed, Bed Rose" (Hastings). Mis 3 Bessie Latta, 76 Miss Victoria Bali, 75 .. " 2 Mrs Isaacs, 73 *" " " 3 The other competitors were: Miss May Teviotdale fPalmgrston) 72, Miss Jessie Gillies 69, Miss Mollie Vickers 69, Mrs C xl Kitchm 69, Miss Lily Monk 68, Miss Marv Wilson 65, Miss Ivy West 63, Miss Excelda Duncan 62, Miss Linda West 61. Mr Galway remarked that this song required very careful treatment in order to avoid monotony. Miss Latta had given a good performance, and her phrasing had been very good, but the Scotch wm not always pronounced quite correctly. The weakmi °l ft* lay tho U PP« register, ilise Balk had a woll-produced voioe, and good] interpretation of the song. Mrs Isaatei had a fairly good voice, and her phrasing, and intonation were good: but con-traste-were lacking, and she was not always careful to get her propel note values. PIANO SOLO 12 and under .14 years.— Fleuietto" (Goupil). Mi S3 Lauia Himtnel 7-1 , Master Gordon Findlay, "(59 2 Miss Flo Lennox, 66 .. " " 3 % Fountain (Port Chalmers) who t^iidte m %h S ' WgUy 27. " ~ ™be otter competitors wereMiss:,;sfctry M. M'Donald 64/ Miss S Ku-bwood 62, Miss Reno Murray 62 M?*s Vmati Ml"L M - *■ «*"» The judge said that many of tho comneti. tZt n - 0t taken tcou We to f£Kt what the pieoe was about. It was mirLi. a gavotte, and some of them had given It inJ? 'L P If ce rag-time, while others Ik? 08 * -, a funcral march. Mi«g Himmel had observed the nuancces well Imr ph™ was good, and wlulHhe S u ssr Song," 81 £"&#■ itaii•< 8"? "The'LuU 2 gaining 72 nZt ' °°^W, Mi; Galway oomplimented eacli n hi? sWn C< SS^t I1 Wo?d ' a W ™t, er * h ® «*&»-» >srtsLtvns land ( The Battle Ero"), 75 *" , fine °spirik S 'S 'effort a worthy of a first prize ' well _• ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr Culford Bell rWellintW.™^ Miss Vera Stevens, 82 TTM"^ mCr r%. Bocckin S and" Miss' A. 1 Helsham Dyer, 75 (equal) .... o The other competitors were: Miss NAluOsborn 73, Miss Madge M'Cleary ?2 i t 72, Miss Olive Thomas 70 Mws .Neerue Kenny 70, Miss Lily A. Stevoni «tUA» af *W* ftnd said the public were assured of "some enjoyable sessions in this department of th« compotit ma. la this particular piece a, number of tho contestants had failed because they had "been inclined to overdo it— in faot, they had made it unnecessarily trimc The winner had given a nicc rendition" obtaining good effects and contrasts through! GENTLEMEN'S RPfcITATION (AmaW). ■ Storm in the Alps" (Bvron) Mr W,..Milne, 75 Mr lan; G. Maclennan, 73 " " o Mr Hi Rutherford (Mount Somen*), 72 3 Tho - 1 only other competitor who put in an apparanco was Mr C. J. Hayward, who gamed 53 poults. . Tho competitors, eaid Mr Bell, had been inclined to stand rather bfldly. Tho winner had opened well, and with a little moro W 6 U ™>«M>vo been an even better performance than it was. DANCING. '■ Judge: Mr A. Campbell. SWORD., DANCE, Girls 12 and under 18 years. Misg King, 100 1 Miss Grace Cameron (Balcluthaj, 93 .[ 2 Miss Vera lilcski (Mosgiel), 79 3 Also .competed: Miss Kui Mil ward GO, Mies Eileen M'Carthy 50, Miss Dorothy Hawkins 34. Mr Campbell, in announcing the result of the sword dance, statod that the conditions under which tho contest liad been carried out left something to be desired. Tho dancing board waa too rough, and had thrown several; of tho competitors out during the aftornofen. Miss King deserved her win, and the other places had been very closely contested.:^. SAILOR'S HORNPIPE, Girls 12 and under > :■ 18 years. Misa Bettlni King, 98 „ .. i Miss Grace Camoron (Balclutha), 90 .. 2 !Miss Eileen M'Carthj, 78 S These ■ wcro tho only competiiona in nn intereeting couteoU

TO-DAY'S programme. An attractive programme will bo presented this afternoon and ovening, including the humorous recitation (ladies), bfurii* ii. ' vooa 'l solo, ladies (own selection), and tho tenor sacred solo. Tlioro will also bo instrumental competitions and dancing contests. Last evening tho performance W concluck'd beforo 10.30.