TRINITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18998, 20 October 1923, Page 13

TRINITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES AND CONCERT. Tin- distribution of mccbils. pii/.es, and higher certificates gained in the local examinations for the year 1922 took place in liunis Hall last evening in the presence of a very large assemblage. A musical programme, by a. number of juvenile vocalists and instrumentalists was presented. Professor W. K. White, who presided, said he had to take the chair in the absence of Professor Hewitson. who was on a recruiting lour through the United Elates. They hoped lie would return in good health. He (Professor White) had little to say regarding the annual report which Miss Bari.li presented to the committee every year, and which was forwarded to the authorities of Trinity College m London, 'there were several matters in the report that concerned students, and which were of interest to teachers, parents, and others in the City. These examinations were held every year, and had been conducted by Trinity College for over 40 years at Home. There were approximated 350 local centres concerned in the examinations throughout the British Empire, and a large number of these were in the dominions. Very few had any idea of (he work of this organisation in its endeavour to reach musical students. He was informed that every year from 50,000 to 60.000 students entered for (he examinations. about 4000 of which were resident in the dominion. He had ihe authority of Mr Vincent, the examiner for New Zealand, to say that these 4000 constituted more competitors than any other part cf the British Empire. With regard to these, examinations, they had been inaugurated by the late Mr Barth, who had seen the advantage of being connected with the Home Land in ihe matter of music. The number of entries had been continually increasing. Last year Dunedin had entered 777 students, and this year (he entries had numbered 1026. That was a very extraordinary increase. In comparison with other centres we had sent our more for examination than ail the other cities in New Zealand pm together. It appeared to him that (ho musical training which students were receiving should raise the standard of education, and a sense of appreciation of music in Dunedin, but we had quite recently hoard that Dunedin did not, patronise great artists, when they visited this city from. time, to time. It was suggested that Dunedin might he left out cf these tours owing to the lack of public support. From a financial point of view, be did not know how matters stood. In Dunedin we had 70XC0 people, while in Christchurch there were 130.000. so that if wo bad an audience of 7CD, Christchurch would consequently need to have 1300 to show the same proportion. That fact had been overlooked. If the students continued their studies he had no fear whatever for the lack of appreciation of music in our midst. It might occur to them to ask what was the value of all this examination work. To a large extent the value of it depended upon the standard set by the examiners. The number of passes should be a very fair indication of cl the standard and the quality of the work,, and Mr Vincent showed them that taking the dominion as a whole, 80 per cent, cf passes were secured. Thm was a high percentage. He had asked Miss Barth “if she could give the corresponding figures for the citv of Dunedin and he found that the Dunedin passes last year wore very nearly 80 per cent.: that was 10 per cent, above the average for the whole community. The examination which our young people underwent here teas ihe same standard as the youth of London had to face. The value seemed to him to he that teachers shmrld know on what scale thov were working, and how wo compared with the Homeland. The programme was then commenced. The first students to entertain were Dorothea M'Dowell, the ether pianistes being Tui Allan, Eiuphemia Fletcher, Jessie Ellis, Erna Fountain, Mary McDonald, Maizie Mood, and Elva Baker. Violin solos were given by Myra Johnston, Nguio Garland. Winifred Adams. The. elocutionists were Ron. Lambert and Mrs G.rir. The playing and reciting of all these were of a'highly commendable order, and all the performers were warmly applauded.

At. (he conclusion of the concert programme the medals, prizes, and certificates "’ere presented liy Professor White. Mr W. J. Morrell congratulated those who bad received prizes and awards for the good work- they bad done and the teachers had done for them during the year, and expressed thanks to the performers. After a few brief remarks on the snhicet of composers and music, he proposed a vote of thanks (o those who had contributed to. the entertainment. Messrs C. Begg and fo.. the Bristol Piano Co., Miss Beatrice. Barth, and M> W. Nicoison,

The proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

Following is th? repori h v Miss B. Barth, dm secretary of the Dunedin centre :- - Five examinations have been held, four theoretical and one practical, the latter was held in Jubilee Ha!!. October last, and extended over three weeks. Three hundred and eighty-seven candidates presented themselves, including all grades. Mr G. F. Vincent, F.T.0.L., was the examiner. Fiftyfour candidates sat for the diploma examination. 30 of this numb.or passed the practical section, and 21 passed the necessary qualifying theoretical division, (hereby gaining diplomas. One candidate gained an exhibition from the college, Jessie Ellis, senior division (Barth School of Music). She therefore gains also the Bristol Piano Co.’s gold medal. Of the licentiate examination two candidates tied for top place with R 1 marks. Elva. Baker (pupil of Miss Version) and Maizie Wood (nnpil of Barth Sfljiool of Music). Mary M‘Donald gained highest marks in associate examination, 90 marks (Barth School of M.usicJ, winning Messrs Chas. Begg and Co.'s gold medal. Higher local top place was won by Erna Fountain, 90 marks (pupil of Miss Version), local committee's gold medal. Senior theoretical gold medal presented by the local centre was won by Hazel M'Guire. 97 marks (pupil of Miss M, E. Wood). Owing to the increase in the number of candidates, it has been found increasingly difficult to finish the examinations in the South Island before Christmas, and last year Mr yinccnt had to work a good deal of overtime to finish Invercargill be’ore the holidays. Mr Vincent wrote to the college authorities pointing out the necessity of two examiners for Xew Zealand—one for the North Island and one for the South Island. A cable to the effect that this had been arranged reached me some months ago, soon after I had instructions that the practical examinations were to be held in Octoher, a month earlier than last year, and the entries were to close at the end of August instead of June, this entailing practically all the clerical work to be done by the local centre instead of at the college. It nowgives the candidate a chance of entering sixweeks before the examination instead of five months. The only other centre treated in this way is Wellington. It is evidently a wise move, as evidenced by there being 146 more candidates than last year. The two examiners chosen thus year are Mr Albert Mallinson for the North Island, and Mr G. F. Vincent again for (he South Island. After the examinations last year Mi Vincent, expressed a wish to meet the teachers and advanced candidates. He also asked 13 of the best diploma candidates to perfoun. This function was held in the Bristol -Concert Chamber, which was quite filled with teachers and candidates. In the course of his talk Mr Vincent expressed great pleasure at the general work done by the centre, and gate a few words of advice to the teachers on examination work. He then called upon the candidates who had most impressed him with their work to perform. Mr W. J. Morrell at the close returned i hanks to Mr Vincent, and also to the performers. The supervisors for the theoretical examinations were the Rev. R. Scott Allan, Misses J. Given, 1.. Hastings, B, Black, and W. Wood. Mr W. Nicolson was also present at the commencement of each examination to read the necessary instructions. etc. Miss Margaret Cuddie acted a« attendant at the practical examinations. She has acted for several years now, and Mr Vincent expressed pleasure at her capable and efficient manner.

The annual concert and presentation of prizes was held in Burns Hall, which was quite full. Professor Ilcwitson presented the diplomas, medals, and prizes. A programme of music was gone, through by the most successful candidates of the year, proving the high standard the candidates nave attained.