COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21147, 3 October 1930, Page 6

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

TWENTY-NINTH .ANNUAL FESTIVAL. FIRMS’ CHOIR CONTEST. WON BY PUBLIC SERVICE CHOIR. .. twenty-ninth annual festival of trie Dunedin Competitions Society was advanced a further stage yesterday. The attendances at the morning and afternoon sessions were only fair, but there was an excellent house in His Majesty’s .theatre in the evening, when the principaj attraction, on the - programme was the firms choir coutest““al\vays a popular feature qf the festival. Four choirs—the Pubhc Serviee, the Mosgiel Woollen Mills, the D.1.C., and Messrs Arthur Barnett s—competed, the Public Service Choir, conducted by Mr A, Walmaley, beniß admdgGtl the winners, with the D. 1,0, Choir, under the baton of Mr J. C ark, and the Mosgiel Woollen Mills Choir, under Mp G. Scott, tying for second place.

Tha remainder of the programme, which was varied and interesting, con* prised instrumental, vocal, elocutionary, and dancing items, as well as a childa’ action song, RESULTS, , The following are the results:INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Judge: Mr J. Orosaley Clitheroe (Dunedin). SOLO, amateurs or professionals ~'The Snow Is Dancing" (Debussy). Mias. Pearl Smith (Dunedin), 182 points .. ; ' " # j There were no other competitors, Mr Clitheroe, stated that Miss Smith played very well, and was well worthy o£ a first price, * VOCAL MUSIC. Judge: Mr Clitheroe, VOCALBOLO, amateur, gentlemen, open to those who have never won & first prize in vocal sections at previous IJunedin Competitions—Own selection. i Dowling (Ranfurly) and Mr John Kennedy (North Duhdin), 180 pomts, equal ........ i Mr J* P- Mayhew (Dunedin), 179 points «, ~ ~ ~ M M g John Devereux i77 B M r r 1 t’ Mr Walter Race (Roslyn) 17R* M r L ai J - Chalmers) }7B, Mr Alex. M'Dowell (Maori Hill) 175, Mr Stan. Tait (Ranfurly) 17S. * Mr Clitheroe stated that for a section open to those who had never won a first prize previously, the singing was very i Ke ,^ ned y had a tenor voice of delightful quality, and should do well later on. Mr Dowling, who hud been very successful during the festival generally, did not sing as well as ha did in his' previous performances, but was sufficiently good to tie for first place. Mr Mayhew would be a particularly fine bass singer when he matured. IRISH FOLK SONG, amateurs, ladies—own selection, by Irish, composer. Miss Evelyn Sheppard (Dunedin) 182 points \ " j Miss D M. Sligo (Roslyn), 180 po’ints 2 Miss Margaret B, Howden (Pott .Chalmers), 178 points .. ' 3 competed: Miss Margaret Green D ell s«“wca) 177,-Miss Noni Davidson Kilda) 177, Miss Mary Somerville (Roslyn) 177, Miss Doreen Sheehy (Belleknowes) 177. Mrs Lionel Graham (Balclutha) 177, Miss Kathleen Bond (Christchurch) 177. Miss Margaret Murray (Balclutha) 176, Miss Mary Belcher (Caversham) 176 Mias Effie Williams (Dunedin) 178, Miss Madge Yates (Dunedm) 176, Miss Phyllis J. Clare (Musselburgh) 170, Miss Dorothy C. Mackay (Roslyn) 170, Miss Alice Halfka VWaikouaiti) 166, Mr Clitheroe said that this was a disappointing section. The piece was described as an Irish folk-song, but only four folk-songs were heard in the whole event. Competitors must realise that a song about Ireland was not necessarily a folk song. A folk song was a traditional melody, and such events were put in competition programmes in order that competitors might discover folk songs and introduce to the public the wealth of beautiful music which these songs contained. As so many of the Setitors chose. Irish songs instead of folk songs, he had to allow them to compete. Misses Sheppard and Sligo both 1 sang beautiful old Irish melodies of decided antiquity. Miss Sligo’s song was a charming one charmingly sung, and was interesting as showing the influence of one country musically on another, although this song was definitely Irish in its construction and character. There could be no doubt. that the influence of English folk music was felt when it was written. Miss Sheppard gave a typical traditional Irish melody, beautifully constructed and containing the sadness generally associated with Irish folk music. It was a difficult song and it was sung with restraint. Miss Howden did not sing a folk song, and this lost her marks, FIRMS’ CHOIR CONTEST—(a) “On the Banks of Allan Water" (unaccompanied), (b) “Comrades in Arms (accompanied). Public Service, 368 points .... 1 Mosaic! Woollen Mills and D.1.C., 367 points (equal) 2 Also competed; Arthur Barnett’s 366. The points awarded in section (a) and (b) were as follow:—Public Service, 186 and 182; Mosgiel Woollen Mills, 184 and 183; D.1.G., 183 and 182; Arthur Barnett’s, 184 and 182. Mr Clitheroe said that this was an exceedingly closely contested section, and the winning choir gave a very finished performance. In the first song the tone gradations were excellent, as was the finish. The tenors were good and the choir well balanced. In the second piece the attack was rather weak in the openmg, but the rhythm was good. The sopranos were inclined to go out of tunc but worked up to a good climax. There waa nothing to choose between the choirs placed second. The Mosgiel Woollen Mill Choir ended out of tune on the first verse in the first song, but verse 3 was very well done, and the interpretation was excellent. In the second piece the opening was good and well sustained, but the sopranos were inclined to go out of tuno on the high notes. The D. 1.0., Choir started well. They lost pitch slightly but improved considerably. Verse 3 was the best of all choirs. The opening j n the second piece was good, but there was not enough contrast between the first and second sections. The last section was good, but the men were rather weak. The last chord was well worked up to, but the chord itself was not well done Messrs Barnett’s Choir’s balance and blend were good, but there was not enough made of the individual ports. The rhythm was too square, and the chordinc was not clean. In the second piece the opening was too slow and not quite in tune in places. The rhythm was not preserved. The allegro was much better, but the rallentando on page 4 was too sudden, and the phrases were sometimes

carelessly finished. The choir was slightly out of tune at times. The altos were good in the final section, and although the finish was worked up to well the choir somehow mixed the climax. CHILD’S ACTION SONG. 12 and under to years, in character—Own Selection. Mies Lexie Mathieson (Tomahawk), 179 points j Miss Ruewi Clancy (Dunedin).' 178 points / ' o Master Earle Collie (Dunedin),' 177• points n 3 MiBS Mr Clitheroe stated that this was not a very good section, and was disappointing in many ways. The voices were not properly used, and there was not enough action in the performances, SACRED SOLO, ladies—Own Selection, Mi® Evelyn Sheppard (Dunedin), 186 points '* i Miss Margaret E. Howden (Port Chiilpiers), 185 points .. ~ 2 Miss D. M. Sligo (Rpslyn) 184 points 3 Wed h nls e day amPetit ° rS ' Vor<? rocaHed on Mr Clitheroe sold that this was a very good section, all three recalls beingrenfiv 61 }*’ V'n* 8 . Sheppard gave some leally beautiful singing. Her recitative S This singer seemed't^set hdseif difficult tasks to show how easily she could surmount them, In this son it So .‘“I 11 .? “f 1 - " *«f illy M , d ,?, * *BfW «wl Without any loss in tone. Her trills were very well managed and never overdone. Miss* How! den gave a really good performance, Her rhythm was excellent and the spirit of the song was well caught. Miss Sligo who sang a very difficult song, deserved congi atulations on her choice, but the sult ß th?f iw n to ° with the relegato ' tL 8 WO6 a r ° 8a cl » rit y and aOCUTION. Judges: Messrs A. C. Hanlon, K.C. L W. edin^f UBb * and S ‘ osboi ' n (bunRECITATION, under 12 years—Own selection, not humorous. First Section, M 92 5SS£r J- Glue (-Anderson's Bay) 'Us*za *■ M KeOWQ (Tomahawk).’ 80 son 1 (DunldiS) W« “ commended; Miss Shirley Aiso competed; 'Miss June Hewitt i&fii’V 1 ' £ liss Birdie &e (Dun: li Vr ßl, Gw en Graham (Dunedin) Colleen -M'Lauchlan (Mbrning7o° iv/r ß ' vr ISfl Gl »dys Hyder (Dunedin) 7 9 ’. M ms Margaret Roberts (N.E. ValleS. Rdßb Lunam (Mussel,burgh) 78, Miss Stewart . TUlSShort (Anderson s Bay) 78, Miss - Margaret Brown (Mormngton) 77. Miss lona LivIdris' Jea ?u (N.B. Valley) 75, Mibs Velma C, Crerar (Dunedin) 75. M xJ tflr rOu l fr ? d -Bunting (Wakari) 74. Mr Osborn said that the winner gave quite a good performance. Her light brought out, and ehe caught the childish earnestness and the epint intended by the author. Miss Arthur gave an. animated performance, with nice expression. She.did not, howf v< -L got good value from her gestures until the closing portions. Mis* Keown chose a good subject, which she presented with varied expression and nice contrasts. RECITATION, amateurs, ladies, 16 and under 81 years—-"An Incident In the French Camp" (Robert Browning). Miss Margaret Seolye (Roalya), 91 points , # j Mw Pennio Marshall (Anderson's BajO, 89 points 3 Miss Dessa Stabb (Dunedin),Bßpoints 3 (CSdtoMT. 41 M 1“ S ““' e ” These competitors were recalled on Monday. Mr Hanlon stated that the selection was an excellent one for a recitation, and they had had a splendid competition. There.were 10 competitors, all df whom' had given good performances, Mr Hanlon mentioned that he would be- pleased to meet competitors between 11 and 1 o olook to-day in the Victoria Hall, when he would give them any advice ho could. DANCING Judge: Mrs Hulme (Christchurch). BALLET DANCE, operatic, other than toe, under 12 years. The following were recalled;—Miss Doreen Cameron (Dunedin), Miss Joyce Cmber (Mormngton), Miss Irene Scott N.E. Valley), and Mien' Mollie Wills (Invercargill). Very highly commended: Miss Joan Anthony (Roslyn) 64, Miss Joan Bryan (Dunedin) 64, Miss Frances Bryan (Dunedin) 64, Miss Joyce Rowley (Woodhaugh) 64. Highly commended: Miss Marjorie Rhodes (Dunedin) 63, Miss Elva Sinclair (Dunedin) 63. Also competed: Miss Gwyneth Watson (Dunedin) 52, Mies Loretta Kay (Dunedin) 62, Miss Lola Hoffman (Invercargill) 62, Miss Thelma Anthony (Roslyu) 52, Miss Mavis Rowe (Dunedin) 52, Miss Doris Milburn (South Dunedin) 62, Miss Joyce Smith (N.B. Valley) 61, Mias Joyce Gray (Dunedin) 61, Miss Marion Morris'??, ,(N-13. Valleyj go, Miss Connie M'Arley (N.E. Valley) 49, The final will be taken to-night, , CLASSIC DANCE, barefoot, 12 and under 16 years. The following were recalled:—Miss Olga Ferguson (Dunedin), Miss Anzac Patton (Mornington) and Miss Ethel Todd (Cavereham). Also competed: Miss Dorothy Judd (St. Kilda) 68, Miss Nancy Lea (Invercargill) 61. ! The final will be decided to-night. I STEP DANCING, suitable for musical |- comedy, boys or girls under 12 years. Misa Joyce Todd (Caversharo), 77 points ... i Miss Nora Steele (Dunedin), 73 points 2 Mias Peggy Steele) Dunedin) and Miss Jean Brown (Eaikorai), 72 points (equal) .. .. ... 3, Very highly commended: Miss N. Egan (Dunedin) 70. Also competed: Miss Gwynneth Watson (Dunedin) 60, Miss Frances Bryan (Dunedin) 60, Miss Doreen Cameron (Dunedin) 55, Miss Elva Sinclair (Dunedin) 1 55. ; Mrs Hulme said she could not get away' from the winner, who was a very clever little actress with a delightful stage presence, and that night she had proved she could step dance as well as -most. Miss Nora Steele, she really thought, was - the best step-dancer in the section, but 1 she had not the same work to do as‘ the winner, and therefore did not get the same opportunity of proving herself. The two girls placed third were both good little step-dancers, but Miss Peggy Steele was the better of the two. Their i dances, however, lacked variety when ! compared with those of the other prize- i winners. SPECIAL PRIZE. Messrs Coulls, Somerville. Wilkie’s In- ' victa Shield for the winner of the Firms’ Choir Contest*—Public Service Cfioir. | TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. , G ? e most interesting programmes l of the festival should be heard this evening, when, the Secondary Schools’ Choir . contest will take place. This promises 1 to provide a keen competition and some : excellent singing should be heard. The i programme will also include violin solos, Burns songs, character recitals, ballet , dance, Irish folk songs, classic dance, ! ™ c {« solo (ladies), and dialogue. The 1 dialogue contest promises to prove a most : interesting one. This afternoon’s session I w !j* also prove attractive. To-morrow will be the second children’s day, when : a very attractive programme will be j presented. j ■ ! ■