COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21145, 1 October 1930, Page 10

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL. B GRADE CHURCH CHOIR contest: CAVERSHAM METHODIST AND ANDERSON’S BAY PRESBYTERIAN EQUAL., * The 'twenty-ninth annual festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society was continued in His Majesty’s Theatre yesterday. The preliminary portions of two sections were disposed of, in the morning, and two others reached the stage of the announcement of the recalls., in the afternoon. The first section of the vocal solo for ladies, open to all, was also got through m the afternoon. The outstanding feature of the evening session was the B Grade church choir contest, for choirs of 25 voices or under. 11ns item attracted entries from four suburban choirs—Caversham Methodist, Green Island Presbyterian, Ravcnsbourue Presbyterian, and Anderson’s Bay Presbyterian. While the judge was preparing his award the United Congregational Choir, which was the only entrant for the proposed A Grade church choir contest, entertamed the audience by singing two numbers anthem “ The Radiant Morn ” (Woodward) and the part song “ Come, Dorothy, Gome.” The action of the choir in coming forward and thus assisting 'the society was highly appreciated by the offi-, cials. ■ Before the choir contest was started Mr E, J. Anderson, who occupied the chair, expressed the deep indebtedness of the society to the church choirs and the members collectively and individually for standing by the society and entering for this competition. The society was also deeply grateful to the United Congregational Church Choir for its kindness in presenting two items while the awards in the contest were made up.' At the conclusion of the competition the massed choirs sang “Abide with Me,” under the cortductorship of Mr Clitheroe. Despite the unpleasant weather, the attendances at all the sessions were quite satisfactory, that in the evening being excellent. b RESULTS. The following are the results:— INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Judge: Mr J. Crossley Clitheroe (Dunedin). PIANO SOLO, 14-10 years—(a) "Night m May” (Palmgreu); (b) “ Shadow Dance” (Macdowcll). Tlfc following were recalled;—Master Frederick L. Gray (Dunedin), Miss Pearl (Dunedin), and Miss Rachel L. Elhffe (Sunshine), Also competed; Miss Isobcl A. Gillies (N.E. Valley) 366, Mies Nellie* Pickett (1 almerstoii) 366, Miss Zeitha Johnstone (Dunedin) 366, Miss Rita E. Lowe (Dun, cclin) 3GG, Miss Greta Walker (Motninston) 366, Miss EIHe Holland (Dunedin) 366, Miss Tui A. Rutherford (Port Chalmers) 362, Master Fred O’Neill (South Dunedin 358. The points awarded to tho unplaced competitors in sections a and b respectively were as follows:—Miss Gillies 182 and 184, Miss Pickett 180 and ISO, Miss Johnstone 180 and 186, Miss Lowe 182' and 184, Miss Walker 182 and 184,-Miss Holland 182 and 184, Miss Rutherford .181 and 181, Master O’Neill 179 and 179. The,/final will bo decided to-night., PIANO SOLO, 16-18 years—“ Lfillaby ” (Arnold Bax) , and “ Gopak ” ' (Moussorgsky). Miss Florence M. Gillies (N.E. Valley), 319 points l Miss Ruby A. Powell (Dunedin), 313 points .. . . 2 These were the only competitors. The points awarded in the respective sections were as follow:—MiSs Gillies 103 and 166, Miss Powell 150 and 163. , Mr Clitheroe in his remarks, about this event said that the .pieces were both very difficulty and in respect to the first piece, he was inclined to think that the players were. too immature for it. It was a piece by a modern composer, and be was sure that some members of the audience would imagine that the players were striking wrong notes. - This was not so. It was merely modernism. Ho hoped audiences would persevere in listening to modern music, as people owed a duty to composers of their own time,, and should give them recognition. The winner, he said, seemed to have a better conception of the first piece, but she gave a very rhythmical performance of the second piece. Her playing was full of vitality. The second prize winner did not quite catch the spirit of the pieces. VOCAL MUSIC. Judge: Mr Clitheroe. N , VOCAL SOLO, ladies, open to all—(a) operatic air, own selection; (b) ballad, own selection. The following competed:—Miss Dorothy C. Mackay (Roslyn), Miss Margaret E. Uowdcn (Port Chalmers), bliss Margaret Green (Belleknowes), bliss Phyllis J. Clare ■ (Musselburgh), bliss 1 Thelma ; Blackman (North-East Valley),; Miss Alva Myers (Dunedin), Miss Winnie Collier (Poi't Chalmers), Miss D. M. Sligo (Roslyn), bliss Margaret Murray (Baldutha), bliss Evelyn Sheppard (Dunedin), Miss . Helen Wilson (Dunedin), Miss Mary Somerville (Roslyn), Mrs Lionel Graham (Balclufha), and Miss Kathleen Bond (Christchurch). Section a of this, item waS heard yesterday afternoon, and section b will be taken this afternoon. The final will be decided to-night. , • VOCAL SOLO, with pianoforte accompaniment and obbligato.—Own Selection, open to all. Miss D, M, Sligo (Dunedin), 182 points .. .., .. .. 1 Mrs Lionel Graham (Balclutha), ISi points Mr C. S. Hawes (North-East Valley), 179 points 3 Also competed: Mias Mary Somerville (Roslyn) 177, Miss Margaret E. Howden (Port Chalmers) 171, bliss Thelma Blackman (North-East Valley) 166. Mr Clitheroe stated that ’the three place-winners were all excellent, but a number of the competitors in this section did not pay enough attention to the character of the "obbligato. An obbligato; should be a counter-melody, and some of the obbligati were too stilted and unmusical. bliss Sligo sang very well indeed, and the obbligato to her song was most interesting and well played. Mrs Graham gave a delightful and verv finished performance, but the obbligato was less interesting. Mr Hawes sang very well. The legato was very good, but M itli the high notes he exhibited a sense of strain. CHURCH CHOIR CONTEST, B Grade, for choirs of 25 voices or under.— (a) ‘ hierce Was the Wild Billow (b) “Abide With Me.” Caversham Methodist and Anderson’s Bay Presbyterian, 350 points, equal 1 Eavcnsbourno Presbyterian, 349 points 3 Also competed: Green Island Presbyterian 345. , The points awarded (o (he competitors m sections A and B respectively were:— Caversham Methodist, 173 and 177; An-

derson’s Bay Presbyterian, 176 and 174; Ravensbourne Presbyterian, 174 and 175; Green Island Presbyterian, 170 and 178, Mr Clitheroe stated that very good performances were given by all the choirs, The balance and blend of the voices was on the whole very good. All the conductors had the right conception of the anthem, and the hymn was well sung, although none of the choirs made the most of the unison verse. One or two of .the choirs gave some really beautiful, quiet singing and in his remarks Mr Clitheroe drew the attention of choirs in general to the remarkably beautiful effects that can be obtained by real pianissimo singing. The voices of the Caversham Methodist Choir blended better than those of the. Anderson s Bay Presbyterian Church, but the latter gave some really beautiful, quiet singing and very well preserved rhythm. The Ravensbourne Presbyterian Choir responded well to. its conductor and gave very, good interpretations of both pieces, but at ’ times the altos were inclined to come through too strongly, spoiling .the balance. The Green Island Presbyterian Choir gave the best interpretation of the hymn tune, but a loss of pitch in the anthem lost its several merits. SACRED SOLO, gentlemen—Own ’ selection. Mr Denis Dowling (Ranfurly), 185 points 1 Mr J. E. Davies .(Dunedin), 184 points o Mr C, S. Hawes .(North-East Valley), 183 points r: .. 3 These competitors were recalled on Thursday. Mr Clitheroe stated that this was a good section. Mr Dowling had a voice of rare quality aud the opening of the song was really beautiful. He established the mood at once and sang beautifully throughout, exhibiting admirable restraint. Mr Davies, who gave a good performance, had a voice ■ of excellent quality, and his production was ' good. He should go far, but he must attend to his pronunciation. Mr Hawes' did not mng as well in the final as he did earlier. His high- notes were occasionally -weak and his low notes not always well' sustained. He lost tone .in the last phrase. CONTRALTp SOLO—“Author of All My Joys” (Gluck). Miss Margaret Green (Belleknowes). 183 points .. 1 Miss Margaret E. Howden (Port Chalmers) , 181 points .. .. ..... 2 Miss Mary Somerville (Roslyn), 780 points 3 Also competed: Miss Kathleen Bond (Christchurch) 179 points. Mr Clitheroe sajd the competitors in this section had a too doleful conception of the song. Miss Green was the only one who did pot accentuate this quality. She sang really well, and caugbt the spirit of the song better than the others. Miss Howden bad a good tone of voice, but did not maintain it throughout the song. Miss Somerville also sang very well. • ELOCUTION. Judges: Messrs A. C. Hanlon, K.C., W. R. Bruglt,, and S. ,H, Osborn (Dunedin). , CHARACTER RECITAL, girls/or boys, under 12-years—Own selection. Mptey Bobby Wbale (Mornington), S 3 points .■. .. .. 1 Miss Ngairc J. Glue (Anderson’s Bay), 81 points ’ .. 2 Miss Daphne Morrison (Dunedin), 79 points 3 Commended: Miss Laura Sbrimpton (Mornington) 78, Miss Lorraine Salmon (Mornington) 78. Also competed; Miss Loretta Kay (Dunc;lin)_ 77, Miss Gwefi Graham (Dunedin) 77, Miss June Hewitt (Dunedin) 75. Mr Osborn state'd that in some cases' the choice of such young competitors was a rather difficult thing. They had had quite clever ideas of .some of the parts, aud naturalness of movement and gesture. These young people were an object lesson to older people in'that respect. A tendciiey to undue speed and to reciting the lines was somewhat qf a drawback. The costuming in all cases'suggested the character. Master Whale was liis natural self. Miss Glue, who looked the part, made a good entrance, but an unconvincing exit. Her voice work lacked spontaneity. Mis Morrison displayed hardly enough animation, and was rather deliberate. Her costume and movements were correct, and her English was good, but she just missed the rhythm. MUSICAL MONOLOGUE.—Own Selection. , , Mr Lester Moller .(Dunedin), 105 points Mr Norman West (Dunedin), 103 points Miss Dessa Stabb. (Dunedin),' l6i points .. .; ...... ..-. ~ 3 _ Commended: Miss Molly Baber (St. Hilda) 98, Mr ,H. M. Bain • (Dunedin) Also competed: Miss Anita Bowler (St. Hilda) 97, Mr Claude Grey (Caversham) Mr Osborn said the accompaniments were in all -cases of- assistance to performers. The-choice of item did. not always suit the competitor, and there was a tendency among some of the performers to hit the lines; That was unnecessary as long as synchronisation on chords was secured. The music was always subordinate to the performance, as it should be. Mr Osborn said the event was really misnamed. It should be termed a recital accompanied by music. Referring to the' place-winners the judge said Mr Moller’s easy manner and artistry won him the first prize. Mr West achieved a good atmosphere, hut he lacked the quality of pause. Miss Stabb was rather inclined to. Lit her lines. She should have exhibited inore contrast in light ( aud shade. ‘ ■ SPECIAL PRIZES; The .following special prizes have been awarded.;— Challenge silver shield, valued at 25 guineas, presented by Messrs Charles Begg and Co. for the winner of highest marks in solo singing—Mr Denis Dowling. Messrs ' Coulls, Somerville, Wilkie’s Senior Championship gold medal for highest aggregate marks in men’s recitations —Mr Lester Mollor. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. The sections set down for the morning session to-day are ladies’ sacred solo (own selection), in which there are 19 entries, and the fancy dance in character, event for girls between the ages of 10 and 13. There are 17 entries in that section. In the afternoon the judges will be engaged on vocal solos for ladles and gentlemen and the operatic ballet dance. The evening programme includes ballet or group dancing, the final of the piano solo (14-16 years), ithe final of the ladies’ recitation (“La Belle Dame Sans Merci”), ladies’ vocal solo (operatic air and ballad) fancy dance (10-13 years), dialogue (own selection), the gentlemen’s light operatic vocal solo, and. the operatic ballet dance. The final item is the halfhour -entertainment class.