THE COMPETITIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23592, 31 August 1938, Page 7

THE COMPETITIONS

GRAND ARIA CONTEST FIRST SECTION RECALLS GILBERT AND SULLIVAN FINALISTS The first section of the Grand Aria Contest was judged by Dr James Lyon at yesterday's session of the Dunedin Competitions Society's annual festival, and, although there were only six competitors and the adjudicator was required to recall only two. he expressed himself as so pleased with the vocal work that he chose three. After the second section has been heard to-day the finalists will be announced. Those recalled yesterday were Miss Daisy Perry (Chrtetchurch). Mr Donald Munro (Dunedin), both of whom were selected on Monday from the first section of the Gilbert and Sullivan and Light and Comic Opera competition, and Mr William Sutherland (Dunedin). A further four competitors in the Gilbert and Sullivan contest were also judged yesterday, the recalls being Mrs Reta Stone, of Auckland, and Mr R. McDougall (Dunedin). and these two, together with Miss Perry and Mr Munro, will contest the final on Thursday evening. The test selections of the Chief Piano Solo contest —"Impromptu in F sharp major" (Chopin), and 'Etude In D flat (Liszt)—ivere judged yesterday afternoon by Dr C. Edgar Ford and of the nine competitors two—Miss Lois Manning (Dunedin) and Mr Peter Cooper (Dunedin)—were recalled, while Miss Thelma M. Gemmell (Dun-. edin) was placed third. A new class in the society's festival programme was introduced last night, the contest being for a piano concerto. Two competitors appeared, and a further two will be heard to-night, when judging will take place. • The concerto chosen was Beethoven's No. 3 in C minor (first movement).

Following a presentation by another group of Miss Anita Winkel's pupils, the Children's Action Chorus section was completed last night, the winners being Miss Winkel's Juveniles, whose chorus was "Memories of Vienna." "Nursery Rhymes," also by Miss Winkel's pupils, gained third place, and "Vienna Woods," by Miss Edna Lungley's pupils, was awarded second prize The Girls' Elocution Scholarship was won by Miss Joy Asquith (Dunedin). with Miss Florence Murray (Milton) second and Miss Sheila Ferguson (Dunedin) third. ■ Results:—

VOCAL MUSIC ■ Judges: Dr James Lyon and Dr C, Edgar Ford

GRAND OPERA ARIA CONTEST. Aria from grand, opera in English. Own selection. Four finalists will be required to sing two arias from different operas, one of which may have been rendered in the preliminary test.

Recalls: Miss Daisy Perry (Christchurch). Messrs Donald Munro (Dunedin) and William Sutherland (Dunedin).

Very highly commended: Mrs N. E. Glass (Oamaru) and Miss Dora Drake (Dunedin). Also competed: Mrs R. A. Oakley 'Ashburton).

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN AND LIGHT OR COMIC OPERA CONTEST, (a) Selection from Gilbert and Sullivan, (b) Selection from light or comic opera. Both own selection. Section 2. Recalls: Mrs Reta Stone (Auckland) and Mr R. McDougall (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses Alva Myers (Dunedin) and Dora Drake (Dunedin). CHILDREN'S ACTION CHORUS. Sixteen and under. Minimum of 12 voices: in costume. Miss Anita Winkers Juveniles. " Memories of Vienna," 90 points 1 Miss Edna Lungley's Juveniles, > "Vienna Woods," 88 points .. 2 Miss Anita Winkel's Juveniles, " Nursery Rhymes," 87 points .. 3

Also competed: Miss Muriel Eagar's pupils. "Water Lilies"; Miss Florence Pacey's pupils, "Pierrots Are We"; Miss Joy Knowles's pupils. " Gipsy Folk"; Miss Muriel Eagars pupils, "The King's Navee"; Miss Anita Winkel's juveniles. "Gentlemen, the King," and "Lena and Hans."

"I would like to extend a word of praise to all those who have exercised their patience in the training of these young people," Dr Lyons said. The winning group had an excellent curtain, and their voices were pretty, but they did not get their high notes with sufficient certainty. There was some excellent "positioning," and the entry of the fairy-like dancers was well contrived, but there was a little uncertainty on the part of one or two of the dancers. The whole programme, however, reflected the greatest credit on all concerned in the production. Musically it was much more than was required. The attack of the second chorus was crisp and neat, and the blend of parts was good. A prominent feature was the elasticity of rhythm. and the actions were well planned and successfully carried out. The work of the third group was marked by a fine lilt, and the various entrances were well contrived. A good deal of thought had obviously been put into the production, and the children responded admirably. VOCAL SOLO. Sixteen and Under 18, Own selection Miss Pat Woods (Dunedin), 86 points 1 Miss Christine Wallace (Dunedin), 85 points 2 Miss D=slys McKenzie (Dunedin), 83 points 3

Also competed: Misses Daphne Morrison (Dunedin), Norma Humphreys (Dunedin), Joan Oliver (Burnside), Nattie Hall (Dunedin), Mary Delaney (Dunedin), Beryl Baggs (Dunedin), Kathleen Mcllroy (Dunedin), Irene Lyons (Dunedin), Jean Crawford (Mosgiel), Ethel Thomas (Dunedin). Jean Calder (Dunedin), lona Livingston (Dunedin), Joyce Cardno (Dunedin). Kathleen Allan (Dunedin). Edith Gardiner (Dunedin). Joy Watson (Dunedin).

The awards were difficult to make, the -judge said, as the two recalled were entirely different and san* contrasting songs. The winner had a very good, well-managed voice, and had the power of creating an atmosphere, but might have out slipVitiv more abandon into her singing. The girl placed second h*>rl a pood idea of interpretation, and although her voice was not so good, she made very good use of it.

VOCAL SOLO. Open to all. With pirno acompanirmnt and obbligato. Miss Lexie Mathieson (Tomahawk), 84 points 1 Mr J.E. R. Edgar (Dunedin), 81 points / 2

The only competitors. The winner maintained her part securely, Dr Lyon said, and gave a rhythmical flowing performance. She had an attractive voice, and used it well. The accompaniment was judicious. The other competitor accented unimportant notes and spoiled the melodic line occasionally. Hs also broke the phrasing at points, but his piano singing was beautiful. BONG FOR GIRLS. Under 13 years. "Ladybird" (Martin Shaw). Miss Zelda Osborne (Dunedin). 86 points • jj 1 Miss Noeline Moody (Dunedin). 8o points 2 Misses Marie Hall (Dunedin) and Patricia Wood (Dunedin), 84 points (equal) 3

There were some very charming renderings in this section, Dr Ford said, and both recalls were very even. One, however, slightly shaded the other. It was a charming section, with something graceful about it. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Judge: Dr C. Edgar Ford (London). PIANO DUET. 16 and under 21. "Sonata in D," Op. 6 (Beethoven). Miss Nettie Gardiner and Mr Lawrence Scott (Dunedin), 87 points 1 Messrs W. R. Clarke and Noel Jackson (Dunedin), 83 points ... 2 Misses Rena Simpson and Marie Tilleyshort (Dunedin), 82 points 3 Also competed: Misses Patricia Johnson and Zoe Knight (Dunedin), Irene Adamson and Mabel Miller (Dunedin). Ruth Stewart and M. Guyton (Dunedin), Mary Fraser and Myrtle Cooper 'nunedin). Messrs John Ellis and Rai McNicol (Dunedin). The two competitors recalled gave excellent renderings. Dr Ford said, but the work of the second pair was uneven in places. The winners' first movement was alive and the players were generally well together. The technique, in spite of a few uneven passages, was very fair, and the second movement provided some graceful contrasts. PIANO DUET. Under 11. "Valse Tendre" (Thomas Dunhill). Misses Lorna McDonald and Lois Kilgour (Oamaru), 80 points .. 1 Miss Mervl Lemin and Master Raymond Thurston (Dunedin). 75 points 2 Misses Marjorie Campbell and Daphne Turner (Dunedin) 72 points 3 Also competed: Misses Shirley Webb and Norma Thompson (Dunedin). The performance of the winners was quite good, said Dr Ford, but there was occasionally a lack of unanimity The work generally, however, was accurate and the time fairly good, the whole performance showing evidence of careful preparation. The pair placed second had. unfortunately, suffered a lapse of memory at the evening performance. SIGHT READING. 15 and under 18 Miss Kathleen Allan (Dunedin). 90 points 1 Miss Jessie Stevenson (Dunedin). 74 points 2 Miss E. Kilner (Dunedin), 65 points 3 The only competitors. ELOCUTION Judge: Mr J. W. Bailey (Auckland). SCHOLARSHIP FOR GIRLS. Twelve and under sixteen. (a) "The Vision of Belshazzar," Lord Byron, (b) Own selection. Miss Joy Asquith (Dunedin), 164 points 1 Miss Florence Murray (Milton), 162 points 2 Miss Sheila Ferguson (Dunedin), 159 points 3 Highly commended: Misses Shirley Kirkwood (Dunedin), Joan McCash (Dunedin), Leone Cornish (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses Alice Beckingsale (Dunedin), Betty Robb (Christchurch), Enid Carter (Dunedin), Betty Burt (Christchurch). Rita Fleury (Dunedin) Maud Stewart (Dui._din), Sheila Calder (Dunedin), Ethne Ings (Tomahawk), Marjorie Jones (Dunedin), Claire McCreary (Dunedin), Mary Grant (Dunedin), Irene Milburn (Dunedin). Enid Hay (Dunedin). The judge said that the class was quite good, some of the performances being excellent. The winner had an exceptionally good voice, and her production was natural, but her interpretation of a fairy story could have been lightened by a more delicate treatment. The girl placed second was charming and spoke from the heart She was imbued with the spirit of her piece, which she treated with the colour it required. The third performer possessed a good voice, and her elocution was always pleasing. RECITATION. Ladies. "The Fool" (Henry Baerlein). Miss Alice Clarke (Dunedin), 85 points 1 Miss Margery Fitzgerald (Invercargill), 80 points 2 Miss Bridie Fraher (Dunedin), 79 points 3 There were difficulties in this piece, the judge said, which many of the competitors failed to surmount. The chief difficulty lay in interpreting the poet's mind with regard to the jester's lady love. The winner, however, was able to find the interpretation required by the poet, and she gave an excellent performance. CHARACTER RECITAL. Twelve and under 16, Own selection, Additional marks awarded for costume and make-up. Miss Joy Asquith (Dunedin), 84 points 1 Miss Sheila Calder (Dunedin), 81 points 2 Miss Shirley Kirkwood (Dunedin). 80 points .. .. .. 3 Very highly commended: Master John Calder (Dunedin). Highly commended: Misses Snid Carter (Dunedin), Winnie Dowie (Dunedin), and Master John Robb (Christchurch). Also competed: Misses Irene Milburn (Dunedin), Betty Robb (Christchurch), Florence Murray (Dunedin), Betty Burt (Christchurch). Ethne Ings (Tomahawk), Marjorie Jones (Dunedin), Mary Grant (Dunedin). The class was a particularly good one. Mr Bailey said, and the competitors all showed evidence of good training. Every performance was artistic and it seemed a pity that competitors in such an entertaining class should not be featured on the evening programme. One or two of the competitors aimed for effect and lost marks because their expression did not come from the heart. A note of sincerity was essential to success. The boys' performances were inclined to lack robustness of style, but they were very good and had been consistent throughout the festival. The competitors as a whole showed an appreciation of dramatic values. RECITATION, 16 and under 18. Own selection (not humorous). Miss Beryl Baggs (Dunedin). 83 points l Miss Joy Ferens (Dunedin), 82 points 2 D/liss Ina Livingstone (Dunedin)'. 79 points 3 Highly commended: Misses Daphne Morrison (Dunedin), Christina Wallace (Dunedin), Messrs Mervyn Fay (Dunedin), Fergus Still (Dunedin* Also competed: Misses Margarc. Roberts (Dunedin), Christine Justice (Dunedin), Coila Bell (Dunedin), Ivy Smith (Dunedin), Alwyr. NicJ-oi (Waikouaiti), Dorothy Shah (Christchurch). Koa Mundie (Dunedin). The class not a particularly brilliant one, said the judge, but there were signs of promising material. TO-NIGHT'S PROGRAMME To-night's programme includes the Firms' Choir Contest, which promises to be interesting, the recalls from the second section of the grand opera aria contest, elocution scholarships, piano concertos, character sketches, piano duos, and sacred solos. To-morrow evening, at His Majesty's Theatre, the finalists in the grand opera and aria and the Gilbert ani Sullivan contest will be heard, and other items will include Miss Anita Winkel's 30-minute play. Miss Lily Stevens's special ballet, the prize-win-ning choir in the firms' choir contest the winner of the elocution scholarship, piano duos, vocal solo, and leider section. The box plan is open at Messrs Begg and Co.'s, Demonstration concerts and matinees will be held on Friday and Saturday, when speciallyselected programmes of the choicest items heard during the festival will be rendered by prize-winners