0THE COMPETITIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23894, 23 August 1939, Page 6

OTHE COMPETITIONS

PIANO CONCERTO CONTEST MISS MOLLY RUNNERSTRUM'S SUCCESS i ' $%. ~ r, -.' INTERESTING IMPROMPTU DEBATE \ . Last night's programme at the Dunedin Competitions Society's festival was a particularly interesting one, and it was greatly appreciated by a large audience. Mr K C. Reynolds was the chairman.' . Three of the most important piano sections were judged, the duo, the concerto, and the sole (own selection). In the afternoon the quick study piano section was heard. In this the judge, Mr Schramm, gave the test piece—"Valse," from "Water Mirror," by James Lyon—on Saturday and the competitors had till to-day .0 familiarise themselves with it. The winner was. Mss Kathleen Allan (Dunedin), who gave a remarkable .performance and scored 98 marks out of a possible 100. This is the highest mark awarded during the competition. Another feature of the evening programme was the impromptu debute, n which there were four competitors. The judges were Mr Rupert Harvey and Mr P. O. Smellie, and the subject was "Are We Utilising Our Leisure to the Best Advantage?" The speakers dealt seriously with their subject, and, as Mi-Harvey remarked, the opposition speakers gave some interesting sidelights on New Zealand life. The finals of thi children's action chorus, in • costume, was,. heard, the winner being Miss'. Anita Winkel's Juveniles in T *'Spring's Return." The first section of the girls' elocution scholarship, 12 and under 16, was heard in the morning. This was the test selection '"Fidelity," by Wordsworth, in which* there Were 16 competitors Thp test selection'for the ladies' vocal scholarship, with 18 competitors, was heard in the , afternoon;. .• The following are the results:— INSTRUMENTAL Judge: Mr Paul Schramm (Wellington). PIANO CONCERTO CONTEST. Open. First Movement of "Concerto (Grieg). Orchestral part to be played on second piano. Miss Molly Runnerstrurn (Dunedin), 89 points .. •• •• ,•:"■•• .v Miss Lois Manning (Christchurch),. 18 points •• •• ■ • ••,.-.• ii Mr William Qlarke (Dunedin), 76 points " "Miss Runnerstrum certainly knows her piano," sa*d Mr Schramm. This contest carries with it tne , championship cup offered by Messrs Collard and Collard. Ltd. London in conjunction with Messrs Charles Begfe and Co. Ltd.. which is held for one year. The prizes, £6 6s for first and £3 3s for second, were given by Messrs W. Harris and Son, Ltd. QUICK STUDY. Piano class. Miss. Kathleen Allan (Dunedin), 98 Mr°Rai McNicol'l' (Dunedin)', 78 Miss Margaret" Boiilt (Oturehua), 77 Kso Joan ' Owens (Christchurch), Mr William Clarke (Dunedin). ■ . Mr Schramm expressed great pleasure with this section. All round the performances had been particularly good, and the winner had played with the greatest charm, her performance being one of the most delightful he had heard for a long time. The marks wer& the highest he* had awarded in the festival. . PIANO DUO. Two pianos; four hands;. •"Gopak" (Moussorgsky). Messrs William Clarke (Dunedin) and Laurence Scott (Abbotsf ord), 81 points ,<•_ '••'•», •• l Misses Ruth Stewart and Kathleen Allan (Dunedin). 74 points .... '..• « Misses Irene Adam Son and Noela ' Borrow (Dunedin). 69 points .. 0. Also competed: Misses Oliye Nieper and Reha Simpson (Dunedin). ■ The. judge remarked -that some « the entrants had not realised that this was a -Russian dance. PIANO SOLO.; Own selection Miss Clare Neale (Dunedin). 89 points ;• ",.•: m Mr William Clarke (Dunedin). 77 points • ;•••,.•; aa Miss Irene Adamson (Dunedin), 76 points .. .. v- •• 6 Highly commended: Miss Elsa Gawn (Green Island). - Also competed: Misses Margaret Boult (Oturehua). Kathleen Wilson (Oamaru), Noela Borrow (Mosgiel), Joan Owens (Christchurch), Lucy Robertson (Dunedin). Mr Gavin Barlett (Dunedin). '... «.'„,, As a particular remark to Mr Clarke, the judge said he had all the necessary qualities but a certain .nervousness, had handicapped him in all his pieces. If he overcame this he should go further. PIANO DUET. Under 12. "Swing Tune" and "Idyll" (Eric Mareo) Misses Lorna McDonald and Lois Kilgour (Oamaru), 80 points .. 1 Misses Betty. Sheppard and Nola Bowie (Dunedin), 79 points .. & Miss Marie North and Master Leslie Cowan (Palmerston), 78 points i Highly commended: Masters Ivan Main (Dunedin) and Rendall Miller (Oamaru). Also competed: Misses Daphne Carruthers and Doris Weaver (Dunedin), Zelma Enting and Pauline Young (Timaru); Marjorie Campbell and June Angelo (Balclutha), Master Raymond Thurston and Miss Meryl Lemin (Dunedin),, Misses Joan Johnston and Rita Friedlander (Dunedin), Misses Alice Luke.and Beverly Fahey (Dunedin). The standard had been high as was reflected in the markings, said Tar Schramm. The young people evidently had: good teachers. The winners had played agreeably although they were inclined to be racy. CHILD'S ACTION SONG. Under 12. In" /character. Own selection. Section I. Recalls.—Miss Shirley McCormaek (Oamaru) and Miss Patricia Wood (Dunedin). Third Place.—Miss Valerie Smith (Dunedin). „ ~, Highly Commended.—Master Neville Madden (Dunedin). Also Competed.—Misses Alva Johnson (Dunedin), Maureen Liddell (Invercargill), Reta Cook (Dunedin), Hilary Mason (Mosgiel), Alma McAllan (Dunedin), Patricia Murray (Dunedin). Kathleen Mutimer (Dunedin), Yvonne Scott (Dunedin), Valmae Farquharson (Dunedin), June Applegarth (Dunedin), Joan Mclnnes (Green Island) Joyce Taylor (Dunedin), Olive Milburn (Dunedin), Valerie Littlewood (Dunedin), Masters Ray Gibson (Dunedin), Arthur Holmes (Dunedin) Hugh Stevenson (Dunedin). Ronnie Cain (Dunedin). CHILDREN'S DUET. 13 and under 16. In character. Own selection. Masters Owen Hymen (Gore) and Irwin McGregor (Dunedin). 90 points • 1 Misses Hilda and Kathleen Paul (Dunedin). 88 points 2 Misses Isla Johnston and Mina Parker (Dunedin), 66 points .. 3 Also Competed.—Misses Muriel Davis and Doreen Scoullar (Dunedin), Hazel Yeoman and Margaret O'Connell (Dunedin), Noeline Moody and Zelda

Osborne (Dunedin), Chrysanth Pagonis and Pauline Sime (Dunedin), Leone Cornish and Enid Carter (Dunedin). The winners had given charming performances. The second placed competitors had sung very pleasingly, but there had not been sufficient acting. DANCING Judge: Miss Betty Camochan (Christchurch) TAP DANCING, suitable for musical comedy, 10 to 14. Master Eric Reed (Dunedin). 68 points .. .. 1 Master Jack Miller (Dunedin). 67 points .. .. 2 Miss Betty Maguire (Dunedin). 65 points .. .. •. 3 Also competed: Misses Beryl Gilchrist (Dunedin), Irene Leitch (Dunedin). Gwen Wilson (Dunedin). Ngaire Dawson (Dunedin). Betty Fletcher (Dunedin); Valerie Gray (Dunedin) Yvonne Hughes (Dunedin). Margery Georgeson (Dunedjn). Patricia Hanlev (Dunedin). Nola Hall (Dunedin). Dawn Lindsay (Dunedin) June Anplegate (Dunedin). Shirley Stewart (Burnside). Joy Mills (Dunedin). The judge asked the performers to use the front of the stage more, as thev could be better seen and heard. Arm movements of the competitors had been stilted, and they did not seem to be haopv in their dancing DANCE DUO. other than dramatic under 16 Recalls: Misses Nola Hall and Marorie Hall (Dunedin) and Master Billy Mason and Olga Rowland (Dunedin) Also competec'.- Misses Joan Lunan and Elaine Chapman (Dunedin) Marie Hartstonge and Irene Leitch (Dunedin) Beryl Gilchrist and Patricia Hanlev (Dunedin). Valerie Brown and Betty Peat (Dunedin). Marie More and Patricia O'Callaghan (Dunedin) Maureen Keenan and June Goodwin (Dun edin) Master Billy Mason and Olga Rowland (Dunedin). June Applegate and Betty Fletcher (Dunedin). Winnie Paul and Dorothy Tyrrell (Dunedin) Margaret Kane and Shirley McCormaek (Dunedin) VOCAL Judge: Mr C. H. Adolph Mann (London). BARITONE SOLO. "A Song of Lyonesse" (Rutland Boughton). Mr Kenneth Stewart (Dunedin). 76 points "•• l Mr Alan Botting (Dunedin). 71 points .. .. • • 2 Mr Harold Barnes (Dunedin). 67 points . -.'.. • ■ . • 3 Also competed: Messrs Harold Lyders (Dunedin), B. Wilkins (Mosgiel). Walker McDonald (Dunedin), Alick Munro (Dunedin), Harold Davidson (Dunedin). Eric Johnson (Dunedin), William Miller (Dunedin). Harold Robinson (Dunedin) . A. G. Taylor (Dunedin). Some of the competitors had not studied the words said Mr Mann. The tone of the placed competitors had been good. CHILDREN'S ACTION CHORUS. Sixteen and under. In costume. Miss Anita Winkel's Juveniles, " Spring's Return," 85 points .. 1 Miss Edna Lungley's Juveniles. " Hungarian Dance," 84 points .. •« Miss Anita Winkel's Juveniles, "Maoriland," 74 points .. .. <» Miss Carnochan and Mr Mann jointly judged this section. There was some doubt whether the actions had thrown much light on the music, but in the first and second Mr Mann thought that it had. ELOCUTION Judge: Mr Rupert Harvey (London). RECITATION. Girls, under 12. "The r Darkling Thrush" (Thomas Hardy). Miss. Ngaire Domigan (Oamaru), 86 mfss Shirley McCormaek (Oamaru), 83 points .. .-. •• ■• :••,. v Miss Yvonne Lambourne (Dunedin). 81 points •• •■ • 6 Hardy's poem was an enigmatic one, said Mr Harvey, and it was hopeless to expect children of this age to understand it. Consequently, interpretation had been weak, but all had made good efforts, and the winners had spoken well. RECITATION. Ladies or gentlemen Own selection (not humorous). Recalls: Miss Alice Clarke (Dunedin) and Miss Margaret Scurr (Dunedin). Third place: Miss Billy Loan (Dunedin). _,' ■ „, , Also competed: Misses Elsie Kirkham (Dunedin), Myra McKechme (Dunedin) .Margaret McLay (Dunedin) Peggie Griffiths (Dunedin), Norma Brown (Dunedin), Frances McNamara (Dunedin), Margaret Ufton (Dunedin) Erin Ferry (Invercargill),. Edith Lunam (Dunedin), lona Livington (Dunedin), Ivy Smith (Dunedin), Betty Rhodes (Dunedin), Lilian Moulin (Dunedin), Betty Naylor (Dunedin), Joy Ferens (Dunedin), E. G. Taylor (Dunedin), Messrs Glen Herbert (Dunedin), T. A. Tarrant (Dunedin) Cecil Oaten (Dunedin). RECITATION. Boys, 12 and under 16. Own selection (not humorous). Master Patrick Murray (Oamaru) 81 points .. 1 Master Bryce Smith (Dunedin). 80 points 2 Master Alan Mcintosh (Dunedin). 78 points • •..•■ • • .••.•: • ■ ■•. Also competed: Masters Gregg Anderson (Dunedin), John Calder (Dunedin), Len Gadzon (Dunedin). Bernard Larsen (Dunedin), Owen Hymer (Gore), Ronald Calder (Dunedin), Bill Lysight (Dunedin), Irwin McGregor (Dunedin), Alan Hay (Dunedin). Jack Cain (Dunedin). The class had done well as a whole, said Mr Harvey, and the poems selected had been of a better standard. Speech had been very good, but not many entrants had analysed their poems properly, and the result was a monotony of presentation. IMPROMPTU DEBATE Messrs J. D. More and J D. Neil (Dunedin), 80 points 1 Messrs J. N. Ramsay and H. L. Gibson (Dunedin). 69 points ■. •. 2 Messrs S. E. Mee and'J. B. Cull (Dunedin). 65 points 3 Also competed: Messrs M. G. O'Callaghan and R. Bradley. The matter had been very well arranged, said Mr Smellie. and it had not been easy to sort out the winners. Mr Harvey said the main fault in 1 speech had been the dropping of the voice at the end of a sentence. It was natural to drop the pitch, but it was essentia] to maintain the force.

TO-DAY'S SESSIONS To-night's programme should prove one of the best of the Festival. It includes the firms' choir contest, piano duos, tap and classic dancing, ladies vocal scholarship, elocution scholarship for girls, child's action songs, and Burns songs. To-day's sessions should also be most interesting. At His Majesty's'Theatre tap dancing and Burns songs will be held, and in the afternoon the child's action songs will be presented. At the Concert Chamher. piano duets and chief piano solos will be held in the morning, and ladies vocal scholarship and bass solos in the afternoon At the Victoria Hall the elocution scholarships for girls and bovs and reading at sight will be held. Patrons will have an opportunity of hearing the noted pianist, Paul Schramm, in a recital on Friday evening. The programme will also include the competition for the rose bowl presented by Mr P. Barling between the winners of the test selections. The finals for the character sketch. Gilbert and Sullivan contest, and humorous recitation (ladies) will also be held. : The Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society will present Anthony Armstrong's three-act thriller "Without Witness," at His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday. Friday, and Saturday. September 7,8, and 9, in aid of the funds of the Dunedin Competitions Society