COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19905, 27 September 1926, Page 10

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL. CHILDREN’S DAY. The Dunedin Competitions Society is following its usual' practice this year by davotink Saturdays to the juvenile performers. The first of the children’s days was held on Saturday, when competitors presented themselves in largo numbers in almost all the sections. The standard of merit reached was commendable, and in some cases the judges were very well pleased with the presentation of the pieces. . Owing to the failure of the electric power supply about midday two competitors in the recitation {or boys 11 and under 14 years—David Robertson and James C. Leckie—were unable to get to the Victoria Hall in time to appear, and w Jhen the position was explained to the officials of the society it was decided to allow them to appear at night. . „ The arrangements were again well carried out. and everything worked with admirable smoothness. A gratifying feature was that the evening programme was so arranged as to enable the children who were performing to get home about 10 o’clock. Tho attendance at the day sessions was good, and in th© evening the audience in His Majesty's Theatre was the. largest re corded during the nrosent festival. Tho following are the results:— ■ MUSIC. Judges: Mr Bernard Page, Wellington (in struwental), and Mr Sidney Milliamson, Christchurch (vocal). „ PIANO SOLO, under 10 years— Gavotte from “Serenades for the Young (C arl Reineeke). Master Norman Farrell (Dunedin), 90 Master John K. Campbell (Dunedin) 89 points * Miss Con. A. Nikel (Anderson s Bay) 88 points a - Also competed: Master Billy Etheridge (Mayfield) 73. Miss Elva Pearce (Dunedin) 72 Miss Edna M. Todd (Opohol 64. Miss Mary Eadie (Portobello) 61. Miss Annie Brown (Oaroaru) 60 Miss Winifred E. late (Dunedin) 69, Master Bruce Clark (Pottohello) 58, Mies Elsie Newlands (St. Kildo) 55, Miss Jean Manson (Musselburgh) 50, Miss Doreen Pomeroy (N.E. Valley) 48. Miss Joyce Dyer (Dunedin) 47, Miss Dorothy Harris (Oaversbnm). Mr Pago stated that these young people pave very good performances. Miss Nikel spoiled some of her playing by marking the first of each bar with her foot on the pedal, rather blurrinc some of her finger work. Master Farrell had o good tone, and he Put far more expression into his playing than the other competitors. Master Campbell produced quite a good tone, but more contrast, was wanted, especially in the forte passages. PIANO DUET. 11 and under U years—“'Dance on the Green” (A. Sartorio). Misses VV. G. Smith (Musselburgh) and B. E. B. Cooper (St. Clair). 97 points L Masters Gordon Turner (Dunedin) and K. Uigby (N.E. Valley). 95 points 2 Misses Elsie M. Clark (Mornington) and M. 11. Craig (Bcllcknowes). 80 points 5 Also competed: Misses K. Wilkinson (Koalvn) and Olga Abbott (Koslyn) til. Misses Mary Turner (Roslyn) and Edna. Roy (Roslyn) 73, Miss Kathleen Farrell (Dunedin) and Master S. Henderson (Dunedin) 72, Misses Lois Milne (Dunedin) and Betty Harris (Dunedin) 70. Master Peter Wildev (Mornington) and Miss E. Morrison (Kaikorai) 70. Masters S. Robinson (Et. >‘ulc]a) and A. J» I-ecden (Dunedin) 70, Misses Bubv Price (Dunedin) and Amy M'Connell (Dunedin) 66. Misses leanie Kevin (Roslvn) and Ethel Richan (Roslyn) 65. Misses June Braithwaito (Dunedin) and R. M. Eadie (Portobello) 55, Misses K. Langley (Musselburgh) and Thora Tilbury (Dunedin) 55, Misses May Collins (Roslyn) and Freda Cubitt (Roslyn) 53. Misses Rua Guthrie (Dunedin) and M. Moyne (Musselburgh) 52. Mr Page stated that the outstanding performance was given by the winners, whoso playing was very pleasing artistic. Their ensemble was very good. quite a lot of colour into their tone, and the pedal was used with a knowledge of its purposes. Masters Turner and Rigby were too slow with their tempo, and they were not always together. Misses Clark and Craig suffered from want of tempo. They were far too slow, and their pedalling spoiled a lot of their playing. PIANO DUET. 14 and under 16 years “Hungarian Daneo,” No. 7 (Brahms). The following were recalled: Misses Emilv Rigby (N.E. Valley) and Phyllis Crooks (Dunedin), Misses Marguerite Black (Dunedin) and Caren Wilder (Mornington). Misses Lena Henderson (Dunedin) and Thelma Farrell (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses D. I. Johnston (Montccillo) and Dorothy Barron __ (Caversham) 69. Misses Isabel Barron (Kaikorai) and M. Mathoson (Roslyn) 60. Tho final will be decided on Thursday night. CHILD’S ACTION SONG, under 12 years- . own selection. Miss Dorothy Deegan (Dunedin), 179 points Miss Valda Hordern (Dunedin), 176 points Master Vic. Sparrow (St. Clair), 174 points 3 Also competed: Miss Vonio Gantly (Musselburgh) 173, Master C. Andrews (Musselburgh! 172, Miss Berta Boroham (Dunedin) 172, Miss Patricia Cowio (Dunedin) 171. Miss N. Dickinson (Macandrew’s Bay) 168. Mr Williamson stated that the gestures in this class were very graceful, and the characteristics of the songs were brought out very cleverly. Miss Deegan’s was a bright and animated performance, and she had a delightful voice. He was astonished to find such a well-developed voice in a child. Miss Hordern sang with nice expression, and proved herself to be a very animated singer. Master Sparrow chose quite a nice song, and gave it in a very clever manner. SONG FOR BOYS, under 18 years—- " Good-night, Pretty Stars” (Noel Johnson). Master Eric Johnston' (Dunedin), 152 points 1 Master John Edgar (Dunedin), 151 points 2 Master G. M’Kinlay (Dunedin), 150 points 3 Also competed; Master Claude Andrews (Musselburgh) 147, Master Jack Halligan (Dunedin) 146, Master Alan Sotting 144, blaster Stuart Henderson (Dunedin) 140, Master Hugh Kearney (Dunedin) 140, Master Vic Sparrow (St. Clair) 130. Mr Williamson said this was a delightful and interesting item, and it was a pity that such contests were not encouraged to a greater extent by competition societies. which would reap the benefit when the competitors reached the adult stage. There was one peculiarity about the boys’ voices, and that was that they invariably shouted loudly, laughed loudly, and sang loudly. This had a ha’d effect on the voice from a singing point of view. If a boy wished his voice to be beautiful he had to use and develop the head voice, and loud singing was disastrous for that purpose. The winner had a nice voice, and as he was older than the other two who were recalled, his voice was more developed, but he would have improved his work generally if he had made more use of his head vove. The other two boys used the head voice more, but owing to their age they were not physically able to sing in such a mature manner. SONG FOR GIRLS, under 13 years—- " Almond Blossoms” (Claude Arundale). Miss Daphne Murdoch (St. Kilda), 157 points 1 Miss Valda Hordern (Dunedin), 158 points 2 Miss Berta Boreham (Dunedin), 151 points 3 Also competed; bliss N. Dickinson (blacandrew’s Bay) 147, bliss Rica Thomas (North-East Valley) 147, bliss Sylvia Alexandra (Dunedin) 147, Miss Melba Wilson (Dunedin) 147, bliss Patricia Cowic (Dunedin) 146, bliss Dorothy Deegan (Dunedin) 144, bliss Viva Finlayson (Dunedin) 144, Miss Vonie Gantloy (Musselburgh) 143, bliss Maureen Phillips (Dunedin) 142. bliss Mavis Thurston (North-East Valley) 132. blr Williamson stated that bliss Murdoch sang very well, but she made a few mistakes in her breathing places, breaking up the phrases somewhat. Her articulation was good, and she hud a very sweet voice. Her performance was a very good one. bliss Hordern gave a delightful performance, especially for such a small child. If anything, the range of the song was rather too much for her tiny voice, but she sang with a groat deal of expression and understanding. Miss Boreham had a very good voice, and she sang with very great expression, but her performance in the evening was not up to the standard reached in the afternoon, and she lost a higher place in consequence.

ELOCUTION, Judge: Mr Claude Hall, Melbourne. RECITATION, girls under 11 years—- “ Grandma's Angel” {St. Nicholas). Miss Eona Wood (Dunedin), 84 points 1 Miss Joyce Patton (Mornington), 81 points 2 Miss Joan Thomson (St. Kilda), SO points 3 Also competed: Miss Anznc Patton (Mornington) 79, Miss Frances Mitchell (Mornington) 78, Miss Muriel Brown (Dunedin) 76 Miss Joyce Islip (Dunedin) 76, Miss Cecily Gallagher (Dunedin) 7i, Miss Liniey Jcavons (Kcw) 75, Miss Norman Williams (St. Kilda) 75, Miss Edna Lungley (N.E. Valley) 75, Miss Elsie Kirkham (Dunedin) 75, Miss May M'Coll (Dunedin) 75. Miss Nancy Dickinson (Macandrew’s Bay) 75, Miss Gwen Tho- pson (Dunedin) 75, Miss Thelma Rix (Dunedin) 75, Miss Maureen Phillips (Dunedin) 75, Miss Julien Bell (Dunedin) 75, Miss Nana Newey (Ravensbourne) 75, Miss Vera White (Dunedin) 74, Miss Grade Davidson (Dunedin) 74, Miss Gwen Rix (Dunedin) 74, Miss Annie Stevenson (Caversham) 73, Miss Olive Erridge (Dunedin) 73, Miss Hazel Ness (Dunedin) 73, Miss Joy Mitchell (Mornington) 73, Miss Constance Nikel (Musselburgh) 73, Miss Joy Knowles (Mornington) 73, Miss Ethel Howard (Dunedin) 73, Mias Catherine Ness (Dunedin) 73, Miss Marion Loan (St. Ciair) 73, Miss Jean Kirkham (Dunedin) 73, Miss June Nikel (Musselburgh) 72, Mias Doreen Hannan (Dunedin) 72. Mr Hall stated that Miss Wood’s 1 voice was effective, and her nace was correct, but her “i’s” were not well sounded. She should not make unnecessary gestures us at “shake.” She used the . word “diddunt” for “didn’t”: otherwise it was quite a good performance. Miss Patton’s voice was beard pretty well, and her treatment of the piece was nice, her work being natural. It should be strictly rhythmic, however, and also a trifle

smoother. Miss Thomson had a pretty voice, and bur words were well beard. Her vowels were quite good, and she gave quite a charming performance. It was very important, however, not to break the rhythm. Her voice was rather subdued at the end of some sentences. RECITATION, boys 11 and under 14 years—“ The Printer’s Devil, Jim” (Frank L. Stanton). Master Duncan Todd (St. Kilda), 86 points 1 Master David Robertson (Dunedin), 80 points .. .._ .. 2 Master Grahame M'Kinlay (Dunedin), 7ft points 3 Also competed; Master Thomas Ness (Dunedin) 77, Master Ron Jeavous (Kew) 76, Master Ivan Davidson (Dunedin) 76, Master Jas. C. Leckie (Caversham) 76, Master Jack Mitchell (Mornington) 75, Master Jack Hannah (Mornington) 75. Mr Hall stated that the winner’s voice was full and strong, b ho was inclined to mouth his words. He looked up *oo high, and should not follow his gestures with his head. His pausation was nice, and he gave a good interpretation, but he overdid the sentiment in the last line. Master Robertson had a very good voice, and he presented natural work, but ho was inclined to allow the ends of his sentences to fall too low in the scale. He held his hands ungracefully, but he displayed good paiisntion and some emotion. RECITATION, humorous, boys under 12 years—Own selection. Master Duncan Todd (fit. Kilda), 86 points I Master Ivan Davidson (Dunedin), 80 points 2 Master Bruce Jones (Musselburgh), 79 points 3 Also competed: Master James C. Leckie (Caversham) 78, Master Arthur Shirley (Dunedin) 76. Master Thomas Ness (Dunedin) 76, Master Jack Mitchell (Morningtou) 75, Master Harold Davidson (Dunedin) 75, Master Dowl Foord (Dunedin) 75, Master Vic. Sparrow (St. Clair) 75. Mr Hall stated that the winner presented good and bright work, but he should look nt the audience and not at tho roof. The pause was rather like a stick. Pans© was .certainly desirable, but should bo done more artistically. With one or two exceptions it was a good performance. In the case of the second prize-winner more facility

was needed. The performer should pronounce says “sez,” not “sals." On the whole, it was a fair item, and was reasonably humorous. In the case of the third prize-winner the judge wanted to know why it was necessary to emphasise “boards." The performer had a good, full voice, but more resonance was needed. The work generally was good, but it needed more varied treatment. RECITATION, humorous, girls 12 and under 16 years—Own selection. The following were recalled: —Miss Renee Ward (Invercargill), Miss Dale Austen (Dunedin), and Miss Leonoro Mackenzie (Dunedin). Also competed: Miss D. M, Clark (Anderson’s Bay) 79, Miss Phyllis Eckhoff (Dunedin) 78, Miss N. Ahernethy (Dunedin) 78. Miss Elina Coxon (Dunedin) 77, Miss Dessa I. F.tabb (Dunedin) 77, Alisa Violetta J. Fullerton (Dunedin) 76, Miss Kitty Ecklioff (Dunedin) 76. Miss D. M‘Curdy (St. Ki'da) 76, Aliss Mavis Robertson (Alosgiel) 76. Miss Hazel Hannan (Dunedin) 75, Aliss Margaret Davies (Dunedin) 75, Aliss "Winnie Osborn (Dunedin) 75. Aliss Dora Leckic (Caversham) 75, Aliss Lottie Cameron (Mosgiel) 75, Miss Joan Isaac (Caversham) 74, Aliss Jean Pickard (Dunedin) 74, Aliss Alolly Raker (St. Kilda) 74. The final will bo decided on Monday, October 4. DANCING. Judges; Aliss I). Dean, Christchurch (fancy), and Air D. M’Kechnie, Dunedin (Scotch dancing, hornpipes, etc.). IRISH REEL, girls under 15 years, tennis of four. AI isscs D. O’Sullivan, Olive Scolt, Sylvia Marshal), and Rona Wilson (Dunedin) 90 points 1 AI isses Notta Pullar, Jessie APAlullan, Libbio Hayden, and Edna Agnew (Dunedin), 89 points 2 Alisses Tna Bulfin, Rosie Aleiklejohn, Edna P'ineham. and Agnes Kleski (Mosgiel) 84 points 5 These were the only competitors. Air APKechnie staled that the winners raced a little, which spoiled the rhythm of the dance. Their beating was good, and they gave a very fair interpretation, but the dance was done too seriously, with the result that there was a tendency to spoil the spirit of it. On tho whole, they gave a good performance. The quartet placed second made a nice opening, the time and the figure of the reel were good, hut, the beating was a little light. They gave a good performance, but their effort in the evening was spoiled by racing too much. Tho quartet placed third did not open all together, tho beating of some of thorn was too light, and one of tho competitors got, ahead of the music at times, spoiling the time, which was erratic generally, STEP DANCE. Girls under IS years. Aliss Sylvia Alnrshall (Opoho), 92 points .. 1 Miss Rhona 1. Beale (Mosgiel), 91 points _ 2 Miss Lorna Budge (N.E. Valley), and Miss D. O'Sullivan (Musselburgh), 90 points (equal) 3 Also competed: Aliss Libbie Hayden (Dunedin) 88, Miss Agnes Kleski (Mobpicl) 80, Aliss Edna Agnew (Dunedin). Miss Agncw’s dance was pf a wrong class, and no points were awarded to her. Tho Judge (Mr APKechnie) said Aliss Marshall was very good in the beating positions. She showed good deportment, and generally gave a good performance. Miss Beale’s beating positions wore very nice, and generally gave a good interpretation of the dance. A good performance. For third place two competitors tied. Alisa O’Sullivan’s time was mixed in places. The beating was very distinct, and there was a nice interpretation, but the dance was spoiled slightly by too much racing. A very nice performance. Aliss Budge's positions were good, and.the beating very distinct. Her hands were weak. There was some very good kicking out. the slops were a little straight. Altogether a very good performance. FANCY DANCE, character, not to include ballet, Greek, or Eastern, 10 and under 13 years. Miss Kitty Eckhoff (Dunedin), 89 points 1 Miss Phyllis Brown (Dunedin), 80 points 2 Miss Thalia Green (St. Clair), 85 points 3 Also competed: Aliss Ngaira Lord (Musselburgh) 85, Aliss Vonie Gaulty (Musselburgh) 84, Miss Margaret Davcy (Dunedin) 82, Aliss Doreen Thomas (Dunedin) 80, Aliss Lois Slowlcy (fit. Clair) 79,'Miss Alarion Davie (Dunedin) 78, Aliss Betty Anderson (Et. Clair) 78, Miss Dorothy Judd (St. Clair) 78, Miss Ruby Hoberoft (Dunedin) 78, Aliss Phyllis Christie (Morningtou) 77. Miss Lola Morrison (Dunedin) 70, Aliss Eva Aliluc (Caversham! 70. Miss Phyllis Eckhoff I Dunedin I 76, Miss Anzac Patton (Mornington) 75, Miss Onna Boss (Dunedin) 72. Aliss Dean said the winner's performance was a splendid picos of charactar

work, but was slightly forced in parts, but the pupil was very clever, and should do well in comedy work. All the stunts were good. The second prize-winner displayed a good sense of hint and performance. She showed good elevation, and her head and arms were splendid. Altogether it was a good performance. Miss Thalia Green was inclined to bend her knees forward, and was rather jerky in some of her arm movements, but she kept the atmosphere right through. At times, nowever, she lost the rythm. Her head work was very good. SKIPPING ROPE DANCE, 12 years and over. Miss Phyllis Brown (Dunedin), 94 points • •• •• 1 Miss Rhona I. Beale (Mosgiel), 89 points •••••• " Miss Phyllis Eckhoff (Dunedin), 87 points ® Also competed: Miss Etta Lang (Dunedin) 83, Miss Lorna Budge (North-East Valley) 82, Miss Winnie Hooper (Cromwell) 82, Miss M. Thompson (Dunedin) 81, Miss Laura Bain (Dunedin) 80, Miss Sylvia Marshall (Opoho) 79, Miss Grace Dineen (Dunedin) 76. Miss Dean stated that Miss Brown had splendid time and rhythm and nice head expression all through. Her foot work was also good. Miss Beale gave a good dance, which was well performed, but she should have displayed more facial expression. Her foot work was very good. Miss Eckhoff should extend her first foot in all elevated positions. Her rhythm was splendid, but she was inclined to turn her feet in. She lacked facial expression. SPECIAL PRIZES. The following special prizes have been awarded; — Messrs Thomson, Bridger, and Co.’s prize of £1 Is, for the winners of piano duet, 11 and under 14 years—Misses W. G. Smith (Musselburgh) and B. E. B. Cooper (St. Kilda). , . , Messrs Barton and Tyengrove prize of £1 Is, for the winner of fancy dance (character), 10 and under 13 years—Miss Kitty Eckhoff (Dunedin). , Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser, and Go. s prize of 10s 6d, for the winner of song for girls under 13 years-—Miss Daphne Murdoch (St. Kilda). TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. Very interesting programmes will be presented during the day, this afternoon’s being a special programme attraction. To-night’s programme will be one of special enjoyment, as the first section of the firms’ choir contest will take place. This contest is creating a great deal of interest, and some excellent choral singing should be heard.