THE COMPETITIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22342, 16 August 1934, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

FESTIVAL OPENED FINE CHORAL PERFORMANCE LADIES’ SHAKESPEARIAN RECITATION The Dunedin Competitions Society’s 1934 festival, the thirty-third which it has organised, was commenced yesterday. Elocution sections were heard in the Concert Chamber during the day, and several vocal sections were heard in His Majesty’s Theatre, where the evening programme was presented. The president (Mr W. F. Abel), in his introductory remarks at the evening nerformance, said that over 2200 entries had been received for the festival, the number being so great that it would he necessary on occasions to use three halls. It was gratifying, indeed, to receive this liberal support. Competitions, of course, could not be run without the incurring of considerable financial responsibility, and the society was grateful to those whohad given trophies and prizes. It was willing to receive more. The aim of the society was to encourage a high standard in vocal, instrumental, and dramatic work and in dancing. If any proof of its success were necessary, he would say that the evidence was contained in the high standard of work in the operatic and dramatic productions which had been presented to tlm public by the various societies in Dunedin. The Competitions Society was grateful to the teachers for their support, but he thought he might add that that feeling was mutual as between the teachers and the society, because the existence of the society was vital to the teachers in their work. He commended the competitions to the public. In introducing the judges the, chairman describedthem as being outstanding in their professions. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the festival would run as smoothly as during the last 33 years. An outstanding performance in the varied programme which was presented was that of the St. Philomena’s Choir, whose singing was highly praised by tlm judge. In the elocution sections Miss Molly Baker gained first place in two classes, one of which was the Shakespearian recitation for ladies. In vocal sections Miss Maud Giles and Miss Norii Davidson each secured a first and a second. Miss Sybil Baker is a gum the accompanist. The following are the results:— ELOCUTION Judge: Mr J. W. Bailey (Auckland). RECITATION, gentlemen, open to all—- “ Fear” (Rudyard Kipling). Mr. Norman West (Dunedin), 85 points •• • • * Mr Ernest Moller (Dunedin), 83 points •• 2 Mr R. S. M'Kenzie (St. Clair), 81 points- .. .. .... • • • • • • 3 Highly commended; Mr G. S. Raymond (Dunedin). _ ~ Also competed: Messrs H. Davidson (Dunedin), Graham E. Duff (Dunedin), lan Falconer (Dunedin), Noel C. B, French (Dunedin), V. T. Pearse (Dunedin). ... . Mr Bailey said that gome of the competitors failed to indicate the source of the fear that lurked in the depths of the unacknowledged. The section was, however, a very good one, and there were many promising performers. The placed competitors were responsible for excellent interpretations, the winner gaining «xtra marks at night for fine points. RECITATION, ladies, 16 and under 21, “Romance” ’(Lady Margaret-Sack-ville). Miss Molly Baker (St. Kilda), 85 points ■ • • • 1 Miss Nanna Newey (Ravensbourne), 84 points •• •• 2 Miss Billie Robinson (Dunedin), 81 points Very highly commended: Misses Frances Mitchell (Dunedin) and Isobel Clarke (Dunedin). Highly commended: Misses Nella M'Cartney (Sunshine), Joyce Hamer (Dunedin), J. Mac Lean (Roslyn), Norma M. Bain (Anderson’s Bay), and Lexie Mathieson (Tomahawk). Also competed; Misses Gwen Dewhirst (Roslyn), Anzac Patton (Dunedin), Muriel Brown (North-East Valley), Norma Brown (Dunedin), Betty Scott (Dunedin), U. Fosbender (Invercargill), Joy Rae (Dunedin), Molly Ginn (Maori Hill), Annie Heenan (Waikaia), Jean Lister (Musselburgh), Sybil M. Henderson (Dunedin), Bessie ‘ More (Anderson’s Bay), Molly Robertson (Dunedin), M. E. H. Smellie (Green Island), M. Walker (Dunedin), Winifred Dyer (Dunedin), Joyce A. Messent (Middlemarch), Edna Lungley (Roslyn), and Molly Hobbs (Dunedin). This poem, said Mr Bailey, should be taken in flowing, rhythmic style, and competitors should try to convey the flashing,, of the spirit of romance from point to point in men’s affairs. The competitors had failed to do this excepting in the eases of the placed competitors, each of whom -had given an artistic interpretation in 'the right manner. RECITATION, Shakespearian, ladies, “Julius Cmsar,” Act 11, Scene I. Miss Molly Baker (St. Kilda), 85 points 1 Miss Sybil Henderson (Dunedin), 82 points 2 Misses Frances Mitchell (Dunedin) and Isobel Clarke (Dunedin), 81 points . (equal) 3 Very highly commended: Miss Joyce Clarke (Dunedin)." Highly commended: Miss Nanna Newey (Ravensbourne). Also competed: Misses Joyce A. Messent (Middlemarch), Joy Rae (Dunedin), Biljie Robinson (Dunedin), Betty Scott (Dunedin), Gwen Dewhirst (Roslyn). U. Fosbender (Invercargill), Bessie More (Anderson’s Bay), Hazel M'Guire (Roslyn), Norma Brown (Dunedin), Nell Warren (Dunedin), Norma Bain (Anderson’s Bay), and Edna Lungley (Roslyn). Mr Bailey said that some pleasing performances were given, but flu many cases the competitors failed to give the lines the breadth of treatment that was necessary in achieving the classic style which was required for Shakespearian recitations. RECITATION, humorous, ladies, own selection. Miss Norma Brown (Dunedin), 85 points 1 Miss Lexie Mathieson (Tomahawk), 82 points 2 Highly commended; Misses Anzac Patton (Dunedin) and Nell Warren (Dunedin). Also competed; Misses Joyce Hamer (Dunedin), Joy Rae (Dunedin), Nanna Newey (Ravensbourne), Joyce Clarke (Dunedin), Bessie More (Anderson’s Bay), Joyce A. Messent (Middlemarch), Annie Heenan (Waikaia), Billie Robinson (Dunedin), Winifred Dyer (Dunedin), Isobel Clarke (Dunedin), and Edna Lungley (Roslyn). A humorous recitation section was usually a very serious one, said Mr Bailey, amidst laughter. Use must be made of a little inflection of voice that would set 1 people laughing. The use of humorous pieces created flexibility, and, in addition, one could not afford in these days to omit humour from life. VOCAL MUSIC Judge: Mr F. Bullock (Christchurch). SACRED SOLO, ladies, own selection. Miss Noni Davidson (Dunedin), 92 points 1 Miss Maud Giles (Dunedin), 91 points 2 Miss Margaret Murray (Dunedin), 87

points Highly commended: Misses Gwendolen Smith (Dunedin) and Anne White (Mornington). Also competed: Misses R. Price (Dunedin), Margaret Mitchell (Dunedin), Rita Shrimptou (Roslyn), Margaret Beattie (Patcaroa), Hazel A. Walker (Dunedin), Mavis Baird (Ravensbourne), Edith Clare (Musselburgh), L. Mathicson (Tomahawk). Annabel! Murray (Dunedin), Angela Hendry (Caversham), _ Margaret Green (Dunedin), Ethel Iladfield (Dunedin), Grace Clark (Dunedin), Isohel Barron (Kaikorai), Violet M. Brunton (Tomahawk), L, McDonald (North-East Valley), M. Shrimptqn (Roslyn), and Feggy Ramsay (Dunedin). Mr Bullock said that this was a very interesting section. There had not been many of the “ old favourites,” of which one became very tired. As a rule sacred

solos were sung far too slowly. He did not see why there should not be life in a song of praise. The chief fault which he noticed in the singing of the ladies was poor intonation. This was a common fault to which ladies were more prone than were men. Miss Davidson chose a very difficult solo, “With Verdure Clad.” He considered that this was really virtuoso music, and, if a performer could sing it well she was a very good soprano and was above competitions form. Miss Davidson made a really line job cf it. Miss Giles also chose a uimcnlt solo, and gave a very good performance indeed. In the afternoon she gamed S 3 points, but was much more assured at night and obtained another three marks. BARITONE SOLO, “The Windmill"

(Nelson). Mr F. G. Taplin (Dunedin), 94 points 1 Mr Edward Ottrey (Dunedin), 90

points • • • • • Mr W. Stevenson (Dunedin), 88.

points 6 Also competed: Messrs Raymond E. Duncan (Dunedin), E. G. Johnston (Dunedin), Hector M. Brosnan (Dunedin), Edwin Shcat (Shag Point), John Galloway (Ravensbourne), Trevor Granger (Waimate), Ken Murray (Wakan), J. D. Hanning (Caversliam), and S. 1. Bickerstalf (N.E. Valley). Before commenting on this section the judge expressed the hope that the competitors would feel that he was present in the role of a friendly critic, who wished to build up their work. The song, “The Windmill,” was difficult for baritones, as it was more suitable for voices of bombastic quality. Mr Taplin had a voice of lighter quality than that of Mr Ottrey, but made the most of_ the song. Mr Ottrey’s voice had the requisite force, and up to a point be sang very well indeed. His intonation, however, was faulty.

NATIONAL SCOTTISH OR IRISH SONG, ladies, own selection. Miss Maud Giles (Dunedin), 91 points 1 Miss Noni Davidson (Dunedin), 90

points 2 Misses Gwendoline Smith (Dunedin) and Anne White (Mornington), 88 points (equal) 3 Highly commended: Miss Peggy Ramsay (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses Grace Clark (Dunedin), Edith Clare (Musselburgh), R. Price (Dunedin), Margaret Mitchell (Dunedin), Norma Brown (Dunedin), Hazel Walker (Dunedin), L. M'Donald (North-East Valley), Angela Hendry (Caversliam), Mavis Baird (Ravensbourne), Ngata Buswell (Dunedin), V. M. Brunton (Tomahawk), Isabel Barron (Kaikorai), Margaret Murray -(Dunedin), Margaret Beattie (Patearoa), and Mrs M. Fletcher (Christchurch). Mr Bullock described the class as disappointing, and added that Dunedin vocalists had apparently not learned how to sing folk songs. The main requirements were simplicity and rhythm, Luc most of the singers had turned easy-flowing melodies into concert songs. Miss Giles had been fortunate in her choice of song, a beautiful number which did not call for the same rhythmic singing as the others. Miss Davidson’s singing had been delightful, but there had been a touch of the concert song about her performance.

VOCAL SOLO, open to gentlemen who have never won a prize in vocal sections at any competitions festival prior to the 1934 festival. Own selection. Mr H. M. Brosnan (Dunedin), 90 points 1 Mr J. D. Hanning (Dunedin),Bß points 2 Highly commended: Messrs Ken Murray (Wakari), John Erskine (Dunedin), and S. I. Bickerstaff (North-East Valley). Also competed; Messrs Dave Burnett (North-East Valley), E. G. Johnston (Dunedin), R. E. Duncan (Dunedin), Gordon Proudfoot (Dunedin), C. H. N. Howell (Dunedin), Leslie J. Dunbar (Dunedin), and W. Martin (Mataura). The section produced fairly good singing, said the judge. The winner had a voice which suited the sad theme of his song very well. Mr Hanning’s voice was at present lacking in intensity, but should improve a great deal. SECONDARY GIRLS' SCHOOL CHOIR, open to secondary girls’ school choirs consisting of not more than 30 voices and not fewer than 20 voices. (a) Unison song (accompanied), “Nymphs and Shepherds’ (Purcell); (b) two-part song (accompanied), “Oh, Sweet the Delights of Spring.” St. Philomena’s College, 96 points .. 1

The only competitor. Mr Bullock stated that in the performance of the choir some very delightful singing was heard. The tone was well placed, and the balance was very good indeed. Fine rhythm was shown m both numbers. It was really about the best singing he had heard from a school choir, and he congratulated the conductor am, the girls. Their school should be proud of them. CHILDREN’S ACTION CHORUS, .any age under 16. minimum of 12 voices, in costume. /. The first performance in this section, in which there are eight entries, was fiven by pupils of the Macandrew Bay ehool, who presented "Ten Minutes in the East.” DANCING Judge: Miss Cecil G. Hall (Auckland). CLASSIC DANCE, barefoot, 12 and under 16. Miss Daphne Morrison (Dunedin), 93 points •• 1 Miss Joyce Collier (Mornmgton), 87 points .. .. 2 Miss Margaret Ufton (Roslyn), 81 points 3 The only competitors. Miss Hall said that all three competitors danced well, but their movements were inclined to be a little hard. The winner was an artistic performer, and her dance was well arranged. v She had been given very high marks. Miss Collier was a promising dancer, and Miss Ufton a (go did good work. SKIPPING ROPE DANCE, under 12. Miss Agnes Stewart (Roslyn), 86 points 1 Miss Eileen Fraser (Dunedin), 84 points 2 The only competitors. The winner was described by Miss Hall as a very bright dancer, but Miss Fraser, who gave a graceful performance, would have secured more points had she not tripped. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME Another interesting programme will be presented at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening, including children’s action chorus, vocal trio for girls, pronunciation competition, character dance, recital with accompaniment, mezzo-soprano solo, recitation (“Home Thoughts”), sacred solo (own selection), Ipnnorous recitation (own selection), English folk song. At the Concert Chamber this morning the prepared speech and recitation (ladies) will be heard, and this afternoon recital with accompaniment. At the theatre this morning the programme will consist of sacred solo (girls), mezzo-soprano solos, and vocal trios for girls, and this afternoon English folk songs, vocal solo (gentlemen), operatic airs, and character dances. The box plan is at Charles Begg and Co.’s.