DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS’ SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3630, 9 October 1923, Page 7

DUNEDIN COMPETITIONS’ SOCIETY.

TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL FESTIVAL. TWELFTH DAY. The second week of the Dunedin Competitions Society’s twenty-second annual festival was completed on the Ist. The following are the results: — MUSIC. Judge: Mr H. Gregson (Auckland). SACRED TENOR SOLO, “Crossing the Bar” (Willeby). Mr E. Gavin Carter (Dunedin), 131 ... 1 Mr J. Swan (Dunedin), 127 2 Mr D. M‘Neil (St. Kilda), 126 3 Two others competed. YOCAL SOLO, open to all. Selection from Schubert. Miss Connie Flamank (Timaru), “Slumber Song,” 140 ••• 1 Miss Doris Wheeler (St. Kilda), “Whither?”, 135 2 Miss Olive Bennett (Dunedin), “The Rosebud,” 132 3 Six others competed. MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLO, “Homing” (Del Riego). Miss Elsie Bryant (Dunedin), 146 ... 1 Mrs F. Burgess (Dunedin), 144 2 Miss Dorothy Stentiford (Dunedin), 143 5 Ten others competed. A GRADE FIFE AND DRUM BAND CONTEST—(a) Test. Selection, “Britan nica” (W. H. Turpin); (b) Quickstep, Own Selection. Oamaru South School, 338 1 Albany Street, School, 334 2 These were the only competitors. CHIEF PIANO CONTEST—“Etude en Forme D’Une Yalse” (Saint-Saens). Miss Mary M’Donald (Maori Hill), 155 1 This was the only competitor. ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr W 7. L. Paine (Melbourne). MUSICAL MONOLOGUE. —Own Selection. Miss Winnie Beck (Dunedin), 105 1 Miss Adonia Ait-ken (Kensington), 103 ... 2 Miss Ethel Hilliker (St. Clair), 101 3 Ten others competed. DANCING. Judges: Miss Madeline Yyner (Christchurch), fancy dances; Mr D. Maelennan (Dunedin), Scotch dancing, hornpipe, etc. FANCY DANCE, under 10. Esme Morrison (Dunedin) and Mona Silver (Ravensbourne), 70, equal 1 Lolo Morrison (Dunedin), 69 3 Sixteen others competed. STEP DANCING, with or without apparatus, boys or girls under 12 years. Nancy Abernethy (Dunedin), 71 1 Martha Andrews (Dunedin), 69 2 Kitty Eckhoff (Dunedin), 68 3 Eight others competed. REEL O’ TULLOCII, girls under 18. Eileen Al'Carthy (North-East Valley) and Marguerite Beck (Dunedin), equal ... 1 Doreen Wheeler (Dunedin) 3 Lily Fox (Dunedin), Edna Gray (Dunedin), and May Thompson (Dunedin) were highly commended. THIRTEENTH DAY. The second last competitive programme of the Dunedin Competitions’ Society festival was got through on Tuesday, when a heavy list of items was disposed of. Pjrobably the chief attraction for Tuesday was the school choir contest, in which two schools from Dunedin and one from Oamaru took part. The foliowing are the results: MUSIC. Judge: Mr H. Gregson (Auckland). SONG FOR. BOYS, 13 and under 16 — “There's a Song Down Every Roadway” (Wood). Rodney Kennedy (Anderson’s Bay), 155 1 Jack Stevens (St. Kilda), 148 2 Alex. Duncan (South Dunedin), 138 ... 3 SOPRANO SOLO —“Nightingale of June” (Sanderson). Miss Maud Elderton (Otaki), 158 ... 1 Miss Olive Bennett (Dunedin), 155 ._ 2 Mrs Wm. Davidson (Dunedin), 154 „ 3 Five others competed. YOCAL SOLO, amateurs, ladies, open to those who have never won a prize in vocal sections at the Dunedin Competitions —own selection. Miss Maud Elderton (Otaki), 156 ... r ...- 1 Miss Olive Bennett (Dunedin), 149 ... 2 Miss Dorothy Skinner (Dunedin), 146 ... 3 Miss Mary Wilson (Kaikorai) 4 Twelve others competed.

SCHOOL CIIOIR CONTEST—(a) Unison song, “Cherry Ripe” (Horn) ; (b) twopart song, “Birdie’s Message” (Wheeler). Moray Place, 320 1 Kaikorai, 303 2 These were the only competitors. PIANO DUO, two pianos, four hands — “March Heroique” (Saint-Saens). Misses Marjorie Watts and Roma Baker (Dunedin), 160 1 These were the only competitors. PIANO DUO, two pianos, eight hands—“Danse Maclere” (Saint-Saens). Misses Marjorie M‘Adam (Anderson’s Bay), Ngareta Malheson (Roslyn), Florence Pickard (Roslyn), and Bertha Stewart (Musselburgh), 154 1 These were the only competitors. SACRED BASS SOLO—“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” (Gounod). Mr Douglas Craigie (Dunedin), 139 ... 1 Mr George Salmond (Dunedin), 134 2 Mr H. Guyton (Morning-ton), 127 3 SIGHT READING, for candidates under 13 years of age. Willis Trevor (N.E. Valley), 153 1 Ailsa Hanning (Caversham). 152 2 Lena Henderson (Maori Hill) 3 Four others competed. SIGHT READING, for candidates 13 and under 15 years. Muriel Caddie (Musselburgh), 155 1 Clarice Colbert (North-East Valley), 154 2 Jeanie Cubitt (Roslyn), 153 3 Three ethers competed. SIGHT READING, for candidates 15 and under 18 years. Mary M’Donald (Maori Hill), 157 1 Miriam Smyth (Kaitangata), 156 2 Marjorie Watts (Dunedin), 153 3 Five others competed. SiGLIT READING, for candidates 18 years and over. Sybil Baker (Dunedin), 169 1 Rita Holmes (Dunedin), 158 ... 2 Lionel Bellhousa (Dunedin), 156 3 These were the only competitors. ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr W. L. Paine (Melbourne.) RECITATION, gentlemen, open to all—- “ The Great Lover” (Rupert Brooke). Mr J. D. Duncan (South Dunedin), 75 1 Mr A. R. Wilson (Dunedin), 74 ... 2 Mr M. Holroyd (North-East Valley), 72 3 Also competed: Mr Alan Ockwell (South Dunedin) 71. DANCING. Judges: Miss Madeline Vyner (Christchurch). fancy dancing; Mr D. Maclennan (Dunedin), Scotch dancing, hornpipe, etc. OPERATIC DANCE, suitable for performing in opera, under 12. Nancy Abernethy (Dunedin), 71 1 Martha Andrew's (Dunedin), 70 2 Natina Newey (Ravensbourne), 69 ... 3 Eight others competed. DANCE DUO, other than dramatic, under 12. Gertrude Orlow’ski (Dunedin) and Betty Collie (St. Kilda), 71 1 Molly Wright and Peggy Black (Dunedin), 69 2 Joyce Guthrie (South Dunedin) and Lois Slowley (Dunedin), 68 .., 3 Sixteen others competed. IRISH JIG, Girls, 15 and under 18. Eileen M'Carthy (N.E. Valley) 1 Lily Fox (Dunedin) 2 Marguerite Beck (Dunedin) 3 COMPETITION PORTION CONCLUDED: The last of the competitive items at the Dunedin Competitions Society’s annual festival were disposed of on ~ the 3rd inst. Taken all round the festival may be regarded as one of the most successful ever held by the society. The weather has been ideal during almost the whole of the period, and the attendances have been very satisfactory', A number of very promising performers have made their appearance, with the result that patrons have been assured of interesting programmes at all the sessions. The work of the judges has left nothing to be desired, and the arrangements made by the management were such as to ensure the harmonious running of the proceedings throughout. At the close of the judges’ final remarks the Chairman pointed out that practically the whole success of the competitions depended on the judges. At his suggestion the audience expressed its appreciation by rising and singing “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” The following are the results: MUSIC. Judge: Mr 11. Gregson (Auckland). VOCAL SOLO, amateurs, gentlemen, open to those who have never won a prize in

vocal sections at the Dunedin tompetitions. Own Selection. Mr F. B. Davy (Dunedin), 151 1 Mr T. Kinmont (Musselburgh), 149 ... 2 Mr E. Gavin Carter (Dunedin), 137 Ten others competed. SONG FOR GIRLS, under 13, “I Am Longing for the Spring” (Gwyn Morris). Thora Vivian (Dunedin), 162 ... 1 Ethel Docherty (Sawyers’ Bay), 156 ... 2 Joyce Reid (Musselburgh), 154 ... 3 Twenty-three others competed. The following were highly commended : Bettie Coventry, Pearl Carotin. Dora Drake, M. Wilson, Greta Hannah, and Joyce Dove. The judge remarked that they were really all deserving of prizes. PIANO SOLO, amateurs, under 18, who have never won a first prize in the Dunedin Competitions “Papillon” (Coleridge Taylor)Miss Muriel Caddie (Musselburgh), 145 1 Miss Eileen Kirkw’ood (Anderson’s Bay), 132 ... 2 Miss Isabel Mee (Roslyn), 118 3 These were the only competitors. ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr W. L. Paine (Melbourne). CHARACTER RECITAL, Girls or Boys under 12. Own Selection. Lester Moiler (Roslyn). “Prince Arthur ” _io7 : i Nanna Newey (Ravensbourne), “Prince Arthur,” 106 2 Greta Hannah (Mornington), “Prince Arthur,” 103 3 RECITATION, Amateurs, Gentlemen, 16 and under 21. “The Lost Leader” (Robert Browning). Mr J. D. Duncan (South Dunedin), 82 ... 1 Mr A. R. Wilson (Dunedin), 81 2 FANCY DANCING. Judge: Miss Madeline Vyner (Christchurch). OPERATIC DANCE, suitable for perform- ... ing in opera, 12 and under lb. Miss Gwen Webster (South Dunedin), 70 1 Miss Ngaira Coughlan (Dunedin), 69 ... 2 Miss Olive Butler (Dunedin), 68 3 Eleven others competed. SKIPPING ROPE DANCE, 13 and over. Miss Gwen Webster (South Dunedin), 74 1 Miss Olive Butler (Dunedin). 72 2 Miss Etta Lang (Dunedin), 69 3 Two others competed. COMBINED BALLET any age, not more than 12 nor less than six performers. Otago School of Daficing, “Le Triomphe d’Automne,” 76 ... 1 Miss X. Keates’s Ballet, “Powder Puff,” 74 : 2 Dunedin Academy School of Dancing, “A Woodland Romance,” 69 3 Also competed : Otago School of Dancing ( ‘ln a Sylvan Glade”), Miss N. Keates’s Ballet ("Gavotte”), Miss N. Keates’s Ballet ( Carnival”), Otago School of Dancing (“ ’Neath Sunny Skies”), Miss N. Keates’s Ballet ("Basket of blowers”). Miss Vyner said she wold like to highly commend Miss X. Keates’s ballet which presented “Carnival.” This ballet scored 63 marks. LITERATURE. Judge: Air D. W. M. Burn. ORIGINAL POEM, amateurs, any subject. Miss Doris B. Beck (St. Kilda), “The Weaver” l Misg Crystal Watson (Canterbury), “Meditation” ”... 2 Also competed: Aliss Sadie E. FirthJackson (Christchurch). In his comments the Judge stated that if the committee reserved the right to make no award he really thought it would be justified in making none, but if it either lacked the power to act in such a way or felt it kinder not to, “The Weaver” would take first place, and "Meditation’’ second, though there was very, very little to make choice between them possible. Both showed a certain amount of craft knowledge, and both came short in various ways. SPECIAL PRIZES AND SCHOLARSHIPS. The following special prizes and scholarships have been gained:—Gold and silver mounted oak tray, valued at 15 guineas, presented by the London nano and Organ Co., for the winner of pianoforte solo, reading at sight, 18 years of age and over—Miss Sybil Baker (Dunedin). Bristol Piano Company's scholarship (one year’s tuition under an Otago teacher), to the winner o-f piano solo, 16 and under 18 —Master L. S. James (Dunedin). Messrs C. Begg and Co.’s scholarship (one year’s tuition under an Otago teacher), to the winner of piano solo, 14 and under 16—Alaster Gordon Findlay (Roslyn). Messrs Park, Reynolds’s prize of £1 Is for the winner of ladies’ recitation, open to all ("Romance”) —Miss Nellie Osborn (Dunedin). Mr J. A. Park’s prize of £1 Is for the winner of Shakespearean recitation, ladies (“A Wife’s Duty to Her Husband”) —Miss Anita Winkel (Dunedin).

National Mortgage and Agency Company’s prize of £1 Is for the winner of piano solo, 10 and under 12 —Aliss Olive Aloreton (Roslyn). Thomson, Bridger and Company’s prize, of £1 Is for the winner of piano solo, 12 and under 14—Alaster Jack Roberts (South Dunedin). Alessrs J. Edmond and Company’s prize of £1 Is, for the winner of step dancing, boys or girls, 12 and under 18—Miss Ruby Robinson (Dunedin). Aliiburn Lime and Cement Company’s prize of £1 Is for the winner of vocal solo, ladies’, own selection—Aliss Connie Flaniank (Timaru). Air J. M’Grath’s prize of £1 Is for the winner of vocal solo, amateurs, open to ladies who have never won a prize in vocal sections at the Dunedin competitions —Aliss Maud Elderton (Otaki). Westport Coal Company’s prize of £1 Is for the winner of vocal solo, open, under 18—Aliss Alollie Andrews (St. Clair). Air A. Barnett’s prize of £1 Is for the winner of fancy dance under 10 —Esme Alorrison (Dunedin) and Alona Silver (Ravensbourne) equal. Ivempthorne, Prosser, and Company’s prize of one guinea for the winner of the vocal solo, amateurs, gentleman, open to those who have never won a prize in vocal sections at the Dunedin Competitions—Air F. B. Davy. Messrs R. Hudson and Company’s scholarship, valued at £l2 12s (to be awarded to the competitor in the male vocal section who is deemed by the judge to be most worthy of encouragement), to be expended in tuition under a teacher to be selected by the competitor and approved of by the committee—Air F. B. Davy. Dunedin Competitions’ Society Scholarship, valued £l2 12s (to be awarded to the competitor in the female vocal section who is deemed by the judge to be most worthy of'encouragement), to be expended in tuition under a teacher to be selected by the competitor and approved of by the committee —Aliss Dorothy Skinner. IMPRESSIONS OF THE JUDGES. AIUSIC. By H a hold Greg som A few comments which the judges courteously communicated to one of our reporters are appended. The general standard of the work has been fairly high, and much promising material has been discovered during the progress of the competitions. While no outstanding Alelbas or Carusos have been found, there has been some work that augurs distinctly w T ell for the future. In the vocal sections the best work has undoubtedly been in the ladies and children’s classes. In the former we have had a very high standard of work in several instances. The vocalisation of such competitors as Aliss Maud Elderton, Aliss Olive Bennett, Mrs Davidson, Aliss Dorothy Skinner, Aliss Lorna Smith, Aliss Connie Flamank, Aliss Dorothy Stentiford, and Mrs Stanley Foote in the senior sections, and Misses Aloliie Andrews and Mattie Edgar and many others in the junior section is of the most promising kind, and these competitors, with careful study, should do extremely well in the future. Some of them have put up notably good performances already. The children’s sections have been quite a delight, and there have been hardly any competitors performing whose work was not worth while. Indeed, there has been very little bad w'ork of any description throughout the competition. Items that were c-omio because of their weaknesses have been entirely eliminated, which, of course, is a very desirable thing. Alany of the boys showed considerable ability, and I w'as particularly charmed with the performances of Masters Rodney Kennedy and Jack Stevens. The sailor duet of the twins by Jack Stevens and Lewis Fronde is absolutely unique in competitions. The men’s sections as a whole have not been particularly strong, but even in these there has been something to work upon, many of the singers showing voices of promise. The excellence of Mr Craigie’s interpretations has been due to his mastery of vocalisation, rather than to any inborn natural voice. He sings well, and has shown good musicianship. The singing of Mr F. B. Davy, who made his first appearance to-day (Wednesday), indicated the possession of a voice of unusual quality. Air T. Kinmont is a student who will be heard of in the future, and the art of Air Mitchell has been in one or two instances particularly good. The piano work has been wonderful. The children’s classes, without exception, have been extremely well contested, and 1 can only say that Dunedin is particularly fortunate in having such an excellent array of teachers of pianoforte, who can impart to their pupils such good technique and interpretation. There have been evidences of good teaching throughout all these classes, and the display of memory work has been little short of remarkable. The violin classes

have Hot been very strong, and I would suggest that there should be a junior competition in the future for children under 10; to be play ad in the first position oidy. The competitions have been exceedingly well managed in every possible way, and they have been well and accurately reported. Air Alartin, the accompanist, has done yeoman service, and has helped the competitors over difficult places in fine style. His able accompaniments have contributed much to the success of many of the vocal numbers. I have thoroughly enjoyed being down here in Dunedin, and have a little time to see some of your beautiful and wonderful scenery. Dunedin is a magnificent place. That view from the high road overlooking Port Chalmers and Portobello. for instance, is undoubtedly one of the finest in the world.