COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 14

COMPETITIONS SOCIETY.

TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL. GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ CHOIR CONTEST. WON BY GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL. Another 'big programme was got through by the IDunedin Competitions Society yesterday, when the twenty-ninth annual festival reached its eighth day. A varied programme, which was nicely balanced in the way of musical, elocutionary, and dancing items, was presented at the day sessions, and nine sections were brought to finality 'at night. _ The chief attraction was the competition for Secondary Girls’ Schools’Choirs. This brought entries from four of the secondary schools—Otago Girle’ High School, St. Philomena’s College, St Dominic’s College, and Aroherfield, Singing of a high standard and of a very pleasing character was listened to, and the even merit of the choirs was evident in the fact that only four marks separated the first and fourth choirs. The winning choir was Otago Girls’ High School, who became the holders of a shield which an anonymous donor has kindly presented for the contest. RESULTS. The following are the results:—. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Judge: Mr J. Crossley Clitheroe (Dunedin). VIOLIN SOLO, over 16 years—“ Bolero ” (Carl Bohm). Mies Aileen Smith (Dunedin), 187 points 1 Miss Dora J. Wilson (Dunedin), 185 points 1 2 Miss Myra Johnstone (Dunedin), 184 points 3 These competitors were recalled on Monday. _ Mr Clitheroe stated that this wae a rather good section. Miss Smith had excellent tone quality, and had. command over a variety of tones. Her rhythm was good and was well preserved and nicely varied. She gave an excellent performance. Miss Wilson’s playing was sometimes not quite clean, but she gave a good performance, and finished welt. Sliss Johnstone’s rhythm and tone were good, but her intonation was not always accurate, and the last chord was not firm enough. VOCAL MUSIC, Judge: Mr Clitheroe. VOCAL SOLO, amateurs, ladies, open to those who have never won a first prize in vocal sections at previous Dunedin Competitions—own selection. Miss Margaret Howden (Port Chalmers). 183 points 1 Miss Dorothy Dagg (Dunedin), 182 points .. .. 2 Miss Kathleen Bond (Christchurch), 181 points .. 3 Also competed; 'Miss Noni Davidson (St. Kilda) 181, Miss Phcebe Melrose (Mosgiel) 180, Miss Phyllis J. Clare (Musselburgh) 179, Miss Effie Williams (Dunedin) 179, Miss Thelma Blackman (N.E. Valldy) 175, Miss Helen Wilson (Dunedin) 175. Mr Clitheroe said the winner sang very well indeed. Her breath control was excellent. Her, tone was not evenly mainthroughout the song, but her interpretation was well conceived and carried out. Miss Dagg sang very charmingly and has a good personality, but she hurried the song in places. Miss Bond gave a very good performance. She has a fine alto voice, but her singing lacked animation. If she would put more life into her singing she would do well. IRISH FOLK SONG, amateurs, gentlemen —own selection, by Irish composer. Mr C. S. Hawes (N.E. Valley), 182 points .. ~ 1 Mr Denis Dowling (Ranfurly), 180 points 2 Mr J. E. Davies (Dunedin), 179 points 3 Also competed: Mr L. J. Neilson (Port Chalmers) 178. _ Mr Clitheroe stated that this section, like the women’s section for Irish folk song, was conspicuous by the absence of real Irish folk songs. Mr Davies was the only one'who sang a traditional song. He sang it well, with good tone on the whole, but he should be more particular about his time. Mr Hawes gave a- really beautiful interpretation of “ She is Far From the Land.” Mr Dowling had a magnificent voice, but he did not use it to the best advantage in the final. This was the worst singing he had given in the Competitions, but even then it was good enough to bring him into second place. BURNS SONG; amateur, ladies or gentlemen—own selection. Miss Evelyn Shepard (Dunedin), 187 ■ points 1 Miss Margaret E. Howden (Port Chalmers) and Mrs Lionel Graham (Balelutha), equal, 184 points. 2 Also competed; Mies Margaret Murray (Balclutha) 183. Miss Mary Somerville (Roslyn) 182, Miss Phoebe. Melrose (Mosgiel) 175, Miss Alice Halfka (Waikouaitij 173. Mr Clitheroe stated that this was a very good section. Several of the competitors were very, close to those recalled. Miss Shepard sang beautifully, and imbued the song with lovely. tenderness. Miss Howden gave an excellent interpretation of the song, but her voice was not quite well managed in the quiet portion. Mrs Graham had the faculty of “putting it across.” . She sang'very well, and her stage craft brought her into second place. SECONDARY GIRLS’ SCHOOL CHOIR CONTEST —(a) Two-part song, "A Lake and a Fairy Boat ” (music by Thomas F. Dunhill, words by Tom Hood); (b) Unison Song, “ ’Twas One of Those Dreams ” (words by Moore). Girls’ High School, 370 points .... 1 St. Dominic’s College, 368 points .. 2 St. Philomena’s .College, 367 points .. 3 Highly commended: Archerfield 366. The points awarded to the competitors in sections (a) and (b) respectively were as follows:—Girls’ High School, 185 and 185; St. Dominic’s College, 185 and 183; St. Philomena’a College, 184 and 183; Archerfield, 183 and 183. In annnouucing the result, the judge said the competition had been a very enjoyable section. It was very refreshing to hear four choirs of such high standard from the secondary schools. All the choirs sang well. The winning choir gave an excellent performance. Its rhythm was very good all the way through, and the opening was very good indeed. This choir gave the best singing at the change of key in the first piece. In the second piece it sang with good tone throughout, and the voices were very well contrasted. St. Dominic’s Choir sang excellently in the first piece, but its diction was rather pedantic. The balance was excellent, and the rhythm and tone were also very good. The second song was also good, but fhe finishing of the words rather spoiled the effect. The choir was spread out rather too much on the stage to give the best results. St. Philomena’s Choir gave a very dainty piece of singing in the first piece, but the tone of the trebles was occasionally weak. The girls singing the second part were very good all the way through. The second piece was sung very well, but there was not enough contrast in the verses. Archerfield Choir sang well. The tone was .rather breathy, and the attack not always clean. This choir did not achieve unanimity. One voice was inclined to hold the notes on too long. ELOCUTION. Judges; Messrs A. C. Hanlon, K.C., W. R. Brugh, and S. H. Osborn (Dunedin). CHARACTER RECITAL, 12 and under 16 years—Own selection. Miss Audrey Watson (Dunedin), 92 points 1 Miss Billie Robinson (St, Kilda), 90 points 2 Miss Isobel Clarke (Dunedin), 89 points 3 Commended: Miss Nanna Ncwey (Ravensbourne) 87, Miss Nelly Moffat (Musselburgh) 85. Also competed: Miss Norma Brown (Dunedin) 82, Miss Anzac Patton (Mornington). 81. Mr Osborn stated that this was a very

interesting section. The competitors displayed a good deal of ability, and the characters were well sustained, but the rhythmic note in the voices was at lacking. This meant so • much, and was always pleasing to hear. The costumes were chosen with care, representing the period fairly well. Miss Watson displayed nice feeling in her soliloquy. Her. movements were appropriately restrained, and the closing scene was well in the picture. Miss Robinson gave a good oerformance, but at times her voice was rather gloomy. A certain evenness pervaded her work, but she displayed some good feeling at times. Miss Clarke’s costume was quite in key. The latter episode was well portrayed,, but was rather lacking in contrasts. RECITATION, under 12 years—Own selection, not humorous. Second Section.

The following were recalled:—Miss Marjory Rhodes (Dunedin), Miss Adele Marks (Dunedin), Miss June M'Clatchy (Caversham), and Miss Daphne Morrison (Dunedin). Highly commended: Miss Joy Knowles (Dunedin) 80, Miss Ethel Thomas (Dunedin) 80. Commended; Miss Lucy Garbutt (NorthFast Valley) 79, Miss Doreen Sapsford (Dunedin) 79, Miss Pat Gatehouse (St. Clair) 79, Miss Loretta Kay (Dunedin)

Also competed: Master Charlie Cooper (Musselburgh) 78, Miss Mervyn Fay (Dunedin) 7.8, Miss June Washer (St Clair) 78, Miss Laura Slirimjiton (Mornmgtonl 78, Master Ivan Templeton (Dun78.Mi?s Clarice Warwick (Roslv'n) 77 Miss Phyllis Cleary (Allanton) 77, Miss Margery M’Taggart (Musselburgh) 77, Miss Marion Quartermain (St. Clair) 77 Master Allan M’Kechnie (Dunedin) 77 Kobert J. Gall (Anderson’s Bay/ I?: M‘ss Maudie Nevill (St. Clair) 70, Sheila Ferguson (Dunedin) 75, Mies LiHian Knight (Kaikorai) 75, Miss Mabel Caple (Dunedin) 75, Miss Doreen Boulton (Dunedin) 75. The final will be taken to-night. BURNS RECITATION, 17 years and under —Own selection. Miss. Billie Robinson (St. Kilda). 85 points .. ' , Master Ken W. Stewart (Roslynj, 84 pOIDtS •••**•,O (Musselburgh), 80 Also competed: Miss lona Livingstone (P u n e dinb79, Miss Mavis Sco tt B (Dum Gdui) 77, Miss Audrey Watson (Dunedin) . Mr Osborn stated that this was a very interesting section, although .the entries were not quite as large as the works of P°et deserved. He expressed his appreciation of the generosity of the Dunedin Burns Club in donating prizes for ouch a worthy object as unfolding the beauties of the works of Scotland's famous poet. Most of the competitors missed * Jbe poet’s lines, and lost the subtelty of his philosophy. Miss» Robinson got the sentiment nicely. She made a good choice in her selection, but she needed a little more fluency." She brought out the admonition nicely. Mastefotewart gave a fine vigorous treatment of his selection. His phrasing and changes of expression were good. He was fluent in the dialect, which was fairly typical of the author, but he was hardly subtle enough. Miss Moffat’s idea of “The Lament of Mary Queen of Scots ” was fairly well expressed. Her facial expression was to a large extent convincing,. but her voice work needed more variety of pathos. ■ DIALOGUE—Own Selection, in character. Missed Dessa Stabb and Margaret beelye (Dunedin), 83 points .. ~ 1 Misses Joyce Hould (St. Clair) and Dorothy Clark (Anderson’s Bay), 79 points .. .. ..2 Miss Jessie M'Lennan and Mr Harold M. Bam (Dunedin), 78 points .. 3 The preliminary section of this item wa n 8 r hear “ on Friday, September 26. Mr Brugh stated that this was an ex* cellent competition. In addition to the three who participated in the final two other dialogues were heard on Monday. In one of them a scene from “ She Stoops to Conquer," the difficulty had been theimpersonation of a man of 70 years by a youth of 17. What had beaten that pair was youth. The other was a scene from Antony and Cleopatra.” Cleopatra was one of the most difficult of all characters to portray, and although the portrayal was often attempted it was seldom, if ever, with success. In the scene from “Hamlet” Mr Bain was overweighted in the part, and did not apear to full advantage, as he did in the preliminary effort. Miss M'Lennan made a successful Queen Mother. The scene from “ The Rivals ” was prettily staged, and he had little doubt tnat the touch of comedy was heard with pleasure after the amount of tragedy they had listened to. Miss Stabb and Miss Seelye Cave a truly delightful rendering of the Peer Gynt ” scene. The grace of Miss Stabb and her dramatic atmosphere. assisted Mjss Seelye, who made a delightful boy, in a charming scene. DANCING. Judge: Mrs Hulme (Christchurch). DANCE DUO, other than dramatic, under 12 years. t following were recalled: Misses Joyce Smith (N.E. Valley) and Irene Scott (Dunedin), Misses Frances Bryan and Joan Bryan (Dunedin), Misses Daphne Irwin and Loretta Kay (Dunedin). Misses Marion Morrison and Daphne Morrison (N.E. Valiev). Highly commended: Misses Lola Hoffman and Molly Wills (Invercargill) 66. Also competed. Misses E. Sinclair and Mavis Rowe (Dunedin) 65, Misses Joyce Rowley. (Woodhau.gh) and Juno Hewitt (Dunedin) 65. Misses Evelyn \villiams (Caversham) and Peggy Black (Dunedin) 65, Mieses Connie M'Arlev and Audrey M’Arley (N.E. Valley) 64. Misses Thelma Anthony and Joan Anthony (Roslyn) 64, Misses Peggy Steele and Nora Steele (Dunedin) 63. > The final will be taken to-nigbt. BALLET DANCE, operatic, other than toe, under 12 years. Miss. Irene Scott (N.E. Valley), 68 points 1 Miss Molly Wills (Invercargill), 65 points 2 Misses Doreen Cameron (Dunedin) and Joyce Collier (Mornington), 55 points (equal) .. .. .. 3 These competitors were -recalled on Thursday. Mrs Hulme stated that Miss Scott was the youngest competitor to be recalled, but she was decidedly the best exponent of operatic dancing in the section. She did not try to do what she was incapable of. doibg, but she did very well everything her dance called for. Miss Wills had clever limbs and proved herself capable of dancing for a long time and dancing weil_ all the way. Misses Cameron and Collier were very nice little dancers, but they must watch their technique. CLASSIC DANCE, barefoot, 12 and under 16 years. Miss Ethel Todd (Caversham), 01 points 1 Miss Anzac Patton (Mornington), 75 points 2 Miss Olga Ferguson (Dunedin), 74 points The preliminary section of this item was taken on Thursday. Mrs Hulme stated that Miss Todd gave one of the most delightful performances she had ever seen here. Both the dancer and her teacher showed a decided knowledge of a dance of this type, and both deserved great praise. Miss Patton was at her very best in this type of dance. She obliterated completely the very obvious faults displayed by her in all the other . dancing sections. She had a charming personality. Miss Ferguson was a very mice classic dancer, and had a decided knowledge of this type of work. She displayed an excellent spirit, and her performance was quite unhampered.

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME.

To-day will be the second children’s day at the competitions. A most interesting programme will be presented at tins afternoon’s session, which will in. elude a song for girls, “ Snowflakes,” a child’s action song, and children’s duets. This evening an attractive and varied entertainment will be given. On Monday the first demonstration concert wilt be and on Saturday. October 11, there will be a matinee and the final demonstration in the evening. The box idan arrangements are advertised.