THE COMPETITIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23896, 25 August 1939, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

PIANO SOLO CONTEST MISS LOIS MANNING’S SUCCESS BOYS’ ELOCUTION SCHOLARSHIP Again there were good houses for the various sessions at the festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society, and as this was really the last general day, there were several important sections judged. The chairman was Mr J. McK. Miller.

Chief interest probably centred round the piano solo contest, in which Miss Lois Manning, of Christchurch, was successful in winning the hand-

some silver miniature piano, known as the Moller Trophy. Mr William Clarke, of Dunedin, was runner-up. Another important piano section was the duo for two pianos and eight hands. The boys’ elocution scholarship was won by Master Bernard Larsen (Dunedin), with Master John Calder in second place. The following art the results; — ELOCUTION Judge: Mr Rupert Harvey (London) HUMOROUS CHARACTER SKETCH. Open. Own selection. Miss Alice Clarke (Dunedin), 105 J points ••• •• •• •; 1 Miss Elsie Kirkham (Dunedin), 103 i Mfss ln ßilly Loan" (Dunedin), 88 points .. d Also competed: Misses Margaret Ufton (Dunedin), Norma Brown (Dunedin), Ryta Reid (Dunedin), Mollie Crossan (Mosgiel), Edith Lunam (Dunedin). , . . Only one of the competitors had not used an alleged Cockney accent, remarked Mr Harvey. He could not understand why this was deemed necessary, and really it had h e pome rather trying. He suggested that there should be less exaggeration in .dress and personal oddities and more emphasis on the characteristics of the people represented. RECITATION. Shakespearian. Ladies. “Julius Csesar.” Miss Alice Clarke (Dunedin), 92 * points .. .. •• ;• •• •• 1 Miss Elsie Kirkham (Dunedin). 85 points , •• •• •• 2 Miss Margaret McLay (Dunedin), 88 points a Also competed; Misses Margaret Scurr (Dunedin), Mona Hutchings (Dunedin), Mary McDonnell (Dunedin). Marjory Fitzgerald (Invercargill). lona Livingston (Dunedin). Peggie Griffiths (Dunedin), Edith Lunam (Dunedin), Lilian Moulin (Dunedin). Margaret Ufton (Dunedin), Billy Loan (Dunedin), Frances McNamara (Dunedin). Chris Justin (Dunedin). Myra McKechnie (Dunedin), Norma Brown (Dunedin). Erin Ferry (Invercargill). ... Some of the competitors had not appreciated the underlying tragedy of the niece, said the judge, but the winner had done so and given it a very womanly interpretation. _ This contest carries with it the b. H. Osborn irophy presented by the Dunedin Shakespeare Club. RECITATION. Ladies, open to all. “Ecstasy” (W. J. Turner). -liss Billy Loan (Dunedin), 84 points 1 Miss Peggie Griffiths (Dunedin). 82 points ■■ •• 2 Miss Elsie Kirkham (Dunedin), 80 points ... ; • • • • •; * Also competed: Misses lona Livingston (Dunedin), Myra McKechnie (Dunedin). Alice Clarke (Dunedin), Margaret McLay, Margaret Scurr (Dunedin), Connie Davidson (Otokia), Miss Chris Justin (Dunedin). Frances McNamara (Dunedin). Edith Lunam (Dunedin). Mary McDonnell (Dunedin), Norma Brown (Dunedin). Joy Ferens (Dunedin). The poem was a difficult one. said Mr Harvey, but the winning competitors had achieved success in capturing the spirit and word music of the piece, CHARACTER RECITAL 12 and under 16. Own selection. Miss Beverley Gibbs (Dunedin). 102 points xx * Miss Zelda Osborne (Dunedin). 92 mE!s Glenna Smith' (Green Island). 91 points • • • • ’ Also competed: Misses Hilda Callender (Green Island). Leone Cornish (Dunedin) Winnie Dowie (Dunedin).

Enid Carter (Dunedin). Chyranthe Pagonis (Dunedin). By and large, the class had been good, said Mr Harvey, although the entry was small. The costuming had been quite inappropriate in several instances. There was some good acting talent, but there was a tendency to let this overshadow clear speaking. ELOCUTION SCHOLARSHIP FOR BOYS. Own selection. Master Bernard Larsen (Dunedin). 84 1-3 points 1 Master John Calder (Dunedin). 81 2-3 noints 2 Master Owen Hymen (Gore). 76i points 3 The standard was improving as the competitions progressed, said Mr Harvey. but the faults which he had stressed earlier were still present. INSTRUMENTAL Judge: Mr Paul Schramm (Wellington) CHIEF PIANO SOLO CONTEST, (a) Sight Reading Test, “Minuet” (Prokofieff): (b) own selection; (c) test piece. “Le Dance d’ Olaf ” (Pick-Mangiagalli). Miss Lois Manning (Christchurch). 87J points 1 Mr William Clarke (Dunedin). 77 points 2 Mr G. H. Ellis (Port Chalmers). 76 i points 3 This contest carries with It the Silver Miniature Grand Piano (Moller Trophy), to be held for one year. The prizes of £4 4s and £2 2s, are awarded by Messrs W. Harris and Spn, Ltd. Mr Schramm extended his congratulations to Miss Manning on her performance and also to the runner-up, whom he hoped would benefit by his experience this season. The test and own selections had been well played, but the sight reading had offered difficulties. PIANO DUO. two pianos, eight hands. Own selection. Misses Ray McGarrigle, Olive Neiper, Messrs William Clarke and Lawrence Scott (Dunedin), 77 points •• 1 Misses Ruth Stewart, Kathleen Allan, Betty Joel and Mavis Steel (Dunedin), 72 points ■ • ... ... •• 2 Misses Rena Simpson, Mane Tilleyshort, Nance and Molly McKenzie (Dunedin), 70 points 3 There was a good average of piano playing as such, said Mr Schramm. “If transcriptions of orchestral pieces are to be played,” he said, " I expect to hear the orchestral grouping and colouring.” VOCAL ' Mr C. H., Adolph Mann, London. VOCAL SOLO. Girls, 16 and under 21. Own selection. Miss Mama Payne (Dunedin), 78 P. Salmon (Dunedin), 75 points •• • ■ . v 2 Miss Thelma Thomson (Dunedin), 73 points 6 Also competed: Misses Pat Woods (Dunedin), Averill Reed (Dunedin), Norma Burns (Dunedin). Rona Clarkson (Dunedin), Marjory Steyen (Dunedin). Edna Winter (Dunedin). D. P. Morrison (Dunedin), Claire Rouse (Dunedin). Joyce Cardno (Dunedm). Joan Wills (Dunedm). Deslys McKenzie (Dunedin), Dorothy Schmelz (Dunedin) Joy Watson (Dunedin), Jean Crawford (Dunedin), Margaret Bachop (Dunedin), Vera Goodchild (Dunedm). Edith Gardiner (Dunedin). Alice Gillies (Dunedin). There were some fresh young voices in this class, said Mr Mann, and some of the selections had been well chosen. The winners had been particularly capable. VOCAL TRIO FOR GIRLS. Under 18. “Fly, Singing Bird” (E_. Elgar). Misses Noeline Moody, Zelda Osborne and Leone Cornish (Dunedin), 90 points .. ... •• •• 1 Misses Marjory Steven, Edith Gardiner and lona Livingston (Dunedin), 74 points •> •• •• •• 2 Misses Joyce Cameron (Dunedm), Joan Harris and Noelme Plank (Dunedin). 72 points •• 3 The winners had given a delightful performance with good tone, nice balance and finish, said Mr Mann. The other competitors had not kept perfectly even and their time had been faulty. VOCAL SOLO. Open. With Pianoforte Accompaniment and Obbligato. Own Selection. Miss Marian Gubb (Dunedin), 72 points •• •• •• •• •• •• 1 Mr Frank Cherry (Dunedin). 70 points 2 Miss Gubb’s interpretation had not been full enough, said Mr Mann, and the second competitor’s tone had not been completely controlled. SONG IN CHARACTER. Over 16. Own Selection. Miss Marjory Steven (Dunedin). 68 points .. • • ■■ 1 Miss Edith Gardiner (Dunedm). 63 points . • • • 2 Also competed: Miss Margaret Bachop (Dunedin). DANCING Judge: Miss Betty Carnochan (Christchurch). CHARACTER DANCE. Not to include ballet. Greek or Eastern. Under 14. Miss Pamela Page (Dunedm). 80 points •• •• • • •• * Miss Beverley Wix (Dunedin), 77 points •• •; 2 Misses Netta Leader (Dunedm) and June Marlowe (Dunedin). 73 points (equal) 3 Highly commended: Misses Valerie Brown (Dunedin). Shirley McCormack (■Dunedin), Joan Leinam (Dunedin) Gwen Wilson (Dunedin). Also competed: Misses Moira Gray (Dunedin), Irene Leitch (Dunedm), Shirley Stewart (Burnside), Miriam Wilde (Green Island), Natalie Watson (Dunedin). Betty Peat (Dunedin). The section had been quite interesting, said Miss Carnochan, and the winners had given a pleasing performance Special Awards The following additional special awards have been officially announced: Senior elocution championship gold medal, men—Mr T. A. Tarrant. Mr Tarrant gained the maximum number

of points, 25, a most unusual and very commendable performance. Junior elocution championship gold medal, boys—John Calder. Challenge silver shield valued 25 guineas, presented by Messrs Charles Begg and Co., Ltd., for highest points in soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, baritone and bass solos —Misses Doris Wilson and Claire Rouse, Gold and silver mounted oak tray, valued £ls 15s, presented by the London Organ and Piano Company to be held for one year by the winner of piano sight reading, 14-18—Miss Betty Naylor. Scholarship, valued £6 os, presented by Messrs Coulls, Somerville and Wilkie, Ltd., to winner of piano solo, 1618—Miss Kathleen Allan. Scholarship, valued £6 6s, presented by Messrs Charles Begg and Co., Ltd., to winner of piano solo, 14-16—Miss Marjorie Holdaway. Scholarship, valued £6 6s, presented by Messrs Charles Begg and Co., Ltd., to winner of vocal test —Miss Nanna Newey. Cup presented by Miss E. I. de Carle to winner of lieder solo—Miss Muriel Calverley. TO-DAY’S SESSIONS PAUL SCHRAMM’S RECITAL In the programme to be presented at His Majesty’s Theatre this evening the public will have the opportunity of hearing a recital by the noted pianist. Paul Schramm. His numbers will include Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata, a bracket of modern compositions, “The Engulfed Cathedral” and “General Lawne Eccentric” (Debussy), “The Valley of Bells” (Maurice Ravel), "March Grotesque” (Serge Prokofieff), and a bracket of Chopin’s compositions, Nocturne in D flat major. Waltz in G flat major, three ecossaises, and the Polonaise in A flat major. The programme will also include the competition for the Barling Rose Bowl between the six winners of the test selections. The finalists in the Gilbert and Sullivan contest and character sketches, and ladies’ humorous recitation will also be heard. Interesting contests will be heard at to-day’s sessions. At His Majesty’s Theatre, child’s action songs, piano solos and children’s duets will be heard. At the Concert Chamber, humorous recitations and character sketches will be presented at the morning session and the Gilbert and Sullivan contest will take place in the afternoon. At the Burns Hall in the afternoon, character recitals will be heard. To-morrow the festival will be concluded with a special matinee in the afternoon, when a children’s programme will be presented, and with an evening performance in which some of the outstanding items of the festival will be presented by prizewinners. The public is also reminded that the Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society will present Anthony Armstrong’s three-act thriller, Without Witness,” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 7,8, and 9. in aid of the funds of the Competitions Society.