COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20832, 26 September 1929, Page 7

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL FIRMS’ CHOIR CONTEST. A POPULAR ITEM. The second week of the Dunedin Competitions’ Society’s annual festival finds public interest undiminished. There was an exceptionally full programme of vocal, elocutionary, instrumental, and dancing events yesterday, which kept judges', officials, and competitors busy all day. The attendance in the evening was one of the best to date. No doubt the fact that the first section of the firms’ choir contest was featured in the evening programme proved an attraction. The final of this popular event will be staged this evening, when the competing choirs will-be asked to vender " Passing By,” which, it is worthy, of note, is one of the many compositions of the judge (Dr Jarman). At the close of the contest this evening there will be a rendering of the two sections by the massed choirs, under the conductorship of Dr Jarman himself. Other items during the evening were: —Ladies’ recitation (open), ladies' Scotch song, recitation (girls 14-16), tenor solo ('* Serenata"), character sketch, and vocal solo (gentlemen) . - . The following are the results: — INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Judge; Dr C. A. Jarman (Launceston). SIGHT READING, 15 and under 18 , years. Miss M. V. Davidson (Dunedin),, 88 points .. .. ~ .. ...... .... 1 Miss Ruby Piper (Burnside), 83 points 2 Miss Nancy Newman (Dunedin), 82 points 3 Also competed: Miss Evelyn Hill (Green Island) 80, ‘ Dr Jarman stated that all the oompetitors did very well. The reading of the winner was a very good effort, SIGHT READING, 18 years and over. ’ Miss Etheh Davies .(Maori Hill), 86 points .. .. .. .. 1 This was the only competitor. Dr Jarman remarked that Miss Davies gave a very good' reading, v VIOLIN SOLO, 16 years and over — "Air on the G String” (Bach). The following were recalled:-—Miee Dora J. Wilson,(Dunedin), Mr Horace Le Gal (Dunedin), and Mr W. R. Haining (Caversham). Also competed: Mr A. R. Watson (Dunedin) 83, Mr Warwick G. North (Dunedin) 83,, Mr Fred Ives (Port Chalmers) 73. ' The final will be heard to-night, } VOCAL MUSIC. , ■ Judge: Dr C. A. Jarman, TENOR SOLO—“Serenata,” No. 1 of two songs (0. A. Jarman). Mr J. B. Davies (Gore), 85 points .. 1 Mr A. R. Dreaver (Dunedin), 84 points ~ ~ .. .. .. 2 Mr John Kennedy (Dunedin), 80 points, .. .... .. .. .. .. 3 Also competed: Mr Ernest F. Paris (Mornington) 77. . ' Dr Jarman, commenting on the section, said it was not wonderfully strong in tenors. The song selected demanded considerable care in control of the voice to secure delicacy of tone. AH the competitors did not realise that conception. Each one took the song a shade too slowly. Mr Davies had trouble with hie “lady” on the value of notes at bar 10 in the first stanza, .The quality of bis voice was V'ety pleasing, ,and he gave an artistic interpretation. Mr Dreaver had a 1 voice’ of pleasing quality, and it was nicely controlled. He, sang with nice expression, and_ his phrasing was well done. The diminuendo at the end was not quite successful. It petered out. Mr Kennedy displayed a slight vibrato, affecting the tone. He 1 had trouble with his “lady” at bar 10 with control of voice. He phrased well and made a nice ending, SCOTCH SONG, amateurs, ladies —Own selection. Miss Mary Bald (Greymouth), 89 points .. .. .. .. .. .. . j Mies Alva Myers (Kaitangata), 88 points 2 Mies Aileen Young (Maori Hill), 87 points : .. .. .. .. ... 3 Also recalled: Miss E. B. Ritchie (Dunedin) 86. _ Highly commended: Miss Evelyn Shepard (Dunedin) 85, Miss Dorothy C. Mackay ; (Roslyn) 84. ■ Also competed: Miss Ethel Doeherty (Sawyers’ Bay) 83, Miss Margaret Howie (Dunedin) 82, Miss Netta Wilkie (NorthEast Valley) 81, Miss Ava Cameron (Musselburgh) 81, Miss Mary Somerville (Roslyn) 81, Miss Margaret E. Howden (Port Chalmers) 81, Miss Margaret Green (Belleknowes) 80, Miss Dorothy Ramsay (Burkes) 79, Miss Annie Throp (Sawyers’ Bay) '7B. Miss L. Boyd (Maori Hill) 78. In his comments Dr Jarman stated that this was a very enjoyable section. The songs of Scotland were for the moat part very pleasingly sung, and the competition was very closely contested. In this section simplicity of style must be aimed at. The art should be “ that apt which conceals art.” Miss Bald made a beautiful _ choice _ and .gave a very pleasing rendition with simplicity and artistry. Miss Myers, made a good choice of song which was very pleasingly interpreted. Her words,. however, might have been clearer. Miss Young controlled the tone nicely and sang with nice expression. She must watch to preserve the purity of tons in crescendi. Miss Ritchie made a nice selection, and sang with a nice clarity of tone and good expression. Her words 1 were good. VOCAL SOLO, amateurs, gentlemen— Selection from light operas or musical comedies. Mr Wilfred J. Kershaw (Mornington), 85 points ] Mr C. S. Hawes (N.E. Valley), 84 points 2 Mr J. D. Smith (Dunedin), 83 points 3 Also competed: Mr William Ruffell (Dunedin) 81, Mr A. R. Dreaver (Dunedin) 79, Dr_ Jarman stated that this was a .pleasing section, both in regard to the quality of selection and in the fact that there was some good singing. Mr Kershaw’s selection suited him admirably. The song was well interpreted both in singing and facial expression and movement, Mr Hawes used his voice effectively. His phrasing and enunciation were good, and the same remark applied to his interpretation. Mr Smith had a voice of excellent quality, but the terminals were much exaggerated. He gave a nice, healthy interpretation, but he should take care not to force the tone. FIRMS’ CHOIR CONTEST—(a) “A Spring Song” (Pinsuti), accompanied; (b) “Passing By” (Jarman), unaccompanied. The following choirs are competing:— Ross and Glendining, Arthur Barnett, D.S.A., D.1.C., and Mosgiel Woollen Mills. Section A of the contest was held last night, and section B will be taken tonight, when the judge’s decision will be announced. ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr Culford Bell (Auckland). RECITATION, Shakespearean, amateurs, gentlemen f* Much Ado About Nothing ”), The following were recalled:—Mr Norman West (Dunedin), Mr H. M. Bain (Kensington), and Mr Lester Moller (Dunedin). Also competed: Mr F. C. K. Foster (Dunedin) 72. The final will be decided to-night. NAVY LEAGUE RECITATION, under 12 years, open to juvenile members of the Navy League—“A Sea Song" (Alan Cunningham). The following were recalled:—Miss Daphne Morrison (Dunedin), Master Earl Collie (Dunedin), and Miss Muriel Brown (North-East Valley). Highly commended: Miss Lexie Mathieson (Tomahawk) 82, Master Bruce Mark (Dunedin) 81. Also competed; Master Wilfred Bunting (Wakari) 80, Miss Doris Miller (Dunedin) 80, Miss Joy Knowles (Dunedin) 80, Miss Betty Barling (Dunedin) 80, Master Raymond Ramsay (Dunedin) SO, Miss Gwen Dewhurst (Roslyn) 70, Master Jack Sapsford (St.' Chur) 70. Miss Nguire Glue (Anderson's Bay) 78, Miss Joyce Ridley (Tainui) 76, Miss Nancy Dickinson (Macandrew Bay) 76, Master Ivan Templeton (Dunedin) 73,

Misa_ Norma Brown (Dunedin) 70, Miss Marion Quartermaia (St. Clair) 69. The final will be taken on Tuesday night. RECITATION, _ girls, 11 and under 14 years—“ Fairy Music” (Rose Fyleman). The following were recalled:—Miss Gwen Thompson (Dunedin), Miss Violet Bunting (Wakari), Miss Betty Barling (Dunedin), and Miss Anzac Patton (Mormngton). Very highly commended: Miss Jean H. Lister (Musselburgh) 86. Highly commended: Miss Doris Miller (Dunedin) 82, Miss Dulcie Hazelwood (St. Clair) 81, Miss .Nanna Newey (Ravensbourne) 81, Miss Lexie Mathieson (Toma, hawk) 80. Miss Dulcie I. Meder (St. Clair) 80. Also competed: Miss Gwen Dewhirst (Roslyn) 79, Miss Muriel Brown (NorthEast Valley) 79, Miss Nancy Dickinson (Macandrew Bay) 79, Miss Annie Stevenson (Cayersham) 78, Miss Hazel Ness (Balclutha) 75, Miss Mavis Fraser (Mos* giel) 70, Miss J. M. Chisholm (North-East Valley) 64, The final will be decided on Wednesday night. RECITATION, ladies, open to all—“ The Dream.” Miss Margaret Seelya (Roslyn), 88 points i Miss Nancy Abernethy (Dunedin), 87 points 2 Miss Tui Northey (Dunedin), 86 points S Also recalled: Miss Doris Aikenljad (Oamaru) 85 points. These competitors were recalled on Thursday last. Mr Bell stated that in this selection the best effect could be attained by telling of the dream, not imagining it happening at the time. It would be much better to sit or > stand and tell about it quietly, with animation in the voice and vivid facial expression, and perhaps a fe,w unconscious gestures.' The effect produced by Miss Seelye was the best. Her effort was restrained, artistic, and .vivid, and was well expressed with correct emphasis. The next best was Miss Abernethy, who also gave an artistic rendering, but whose effects were at times a little strained. Miss Northey was very good, but the dream was too dramatic. She did not lose herself sufficiently in the telling of the dream. Miss Aikenhead was also too dramatic, and strove top much over doing some of the expressive words. RECITATION, 14 and under 16. years—- “ The House By. the Side of the Road” (Foss),. Miss < Audrey Watson (Dunedin), 86 • points .. .... .. .. 1 Miss Molly Baker (St. Hilda), 83 points .. .. .. .. .. 2 Miss Billie Robinson (St. Hilda), 82 points 3 The above competitors were recalled on-Tuesday afternoon. Mr Bell stated that Misa Watson had a nice, sympathetic manner of expressing the sentiment. Her modulation was a little sugary sweet at times, but she gave a very pleasing rendering. ■ Miss Baker gave an effective recital of the lines, and had a good appreciation of the pqem. Her modulation was a little weak, and she used the same tones too much. Miss Robinson was too dramatic and slow, and the parts were drawn out unduly. She tried to get effect too much, and was not easy and natural, otherwise her performance was a good one. CHARACTER SKETCH, amateur, lady or gentleman—Own selection. Miss Margaret Seelye (Roslyn), 90 points .; .. i Miss Tui Northey (Dunedin) and Miss Dessa Stabb (Dunedin), 88 points, equal .. .. 2 Also recalled: Miss Nancy Abernethy (Dunedin) 87 points. _ These competitors were . recalled on Tuesday mornings ■ ' Mr Bell stated theft Miss Seelye, who presented Medea, handled the emotional vdlues well.. It was a moving performance, especially portions.* She got fine spontaneity, and' her entrance and exit were excellent. A little make-up was somewhat youthful. Miss Northey presented the character of Medea satisfactorily, Her stagecraft wag good, and the costuming, wag effective, but the facial make-up could be improved. There were parte in the selection where emotional changes could be better managed, but she gave a very strong performance. Miss btabb presented Alcestes with excellent expression and good artistry. The selection did not admit of mud. acting, and in this respect it suffered.in contrast with 0 n 6r sketches. The costuming was excellent, but the make-up should be paler. The latter part, particularly, was very well done. Miss Abernethy presented Cleopatra. The character was well dressed, and the changing moods fairly well managed. She was a little youthful for the character. Much more could be done with the expression in parts. She lost grip m places, but it was very good for such an ambitious effort. FANCY DANCING, Judge: Miss G. Gibbg (Wanganui). SKIPPING ROPE DANCE, under 12 years. T The m f S l !°yi n S nrere recalled:—Miss Joyce Todd (Caversham), Miss Iris Gor(Dunedin) 6^111 * Bs Frances Bryan Also competed: Miss Nora Steele (Dunedm) 77. Mss J. Brown (Kaikorai) 74. Dip Ferguson (Dunedin) 71. t Ine final will be decided on Tuesday evening, . * BALLET DANCE, toe, 10 and under 13 years. The following were recalled:—Miss Cora Duff (Dunedin), Miss Ethel Todd (Lavers!)am), and Misa Rona Lord (Musselburgh) . v : Miss Thelma Anthony (Roslyn) JS.Mjes Frances Mitchell (Balclutha) 72, Mi&l Bftne Morrison (Dunedin) 71. The final will be decided to-morrow night. SPECIAL PRIZES. The following special prizes have been awarded:— London Piano and Organ Company’s gold and silver mounted oak tray, valued at £ls 15s, to be held for one year, for the winner of pianoforte sight reading, 18 years and over—Miss Ethel Davies. Challenge silver sbielu, valued at 25 guineas, presented by Messrs Chas. Begg and Co., to be held for one year, for the winner of highest marks in solo singing— Miss Winnie Collier (Port Chalmers), Miss Mary t Bald (Greymouth), and Mr WUired J. Kershaw (Mornington), equal. Messrs Coulls. Somerville, Wilkie’s senior championship gold medal for high* est aggregate marks in ladies’ recitations— Miss Margaret Seelye. , TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. \ rp.To-night’e programme at His Majesty’s iheatro should attract a big attendance when the finals of the Firms’ Choir Contest will be heard. At the conclusion of this contest the massed choirs will' perform under the baton of the judge. Tonight s programme includes Shakespearian recitation (gents), violin solo (gents, own selection), recitation (12-14, own seleo tion), sacred solo (gents, own selection), and humorous song.