Popular Festival

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 443, 27 August 1928, Page 13

Popular Festival

COMPETITIONS ATTRACT BIG ATTENDANCES RECALLS AND RESULTS Varied and interesting programmes were presented at the Embassy Theatre to-day, when the Auckland Competition Society’s Festival was continued before highly appreciative audiences. For day sessions the attendances, both in the morning and afternoon, were very satisfactory. i The principal class in the morning j was the national or folk song, English ! or Welsh section, which attracted large entries. The work done was of a high standard generally, and all efforts were well applauded. The piano solo, 12 and under 14. and character recital, l.j-12, also provided interesting classes. tThis afternoon, the operatic solo (soprano or contralto), Shakespearean recital, test recitation for girls under 16, and character dance, 16 and over, wall ibe the principal classes. There was a large attendance at the recall session on Saturday evening, when an excellent programme was presented. A feature of this session was the high standard shown by the Bayfield District School choirs in the boys and girls classes. The work done by this school, the only competitor in the classes, was highly complimented by the judge. In the church choir contest the Beresford Congregational Church was the only choir to compete. The work done in this class also called forth complimentary reference from the judge. Results were as follw: SCHOOLBOYS’ CHOIR Bayfield District School Choir, 134 and 13 S points . . 1 The only entry. SCHOOLGIRLS’ CHOIR Bayfield District School Choir, 146 and 148 points 1 The only entry. CHURCH CHOIR. CONTEST Beresford Street Congregational Church 1 The only entry. Excellent tone and balance were shown by this choir, said the judge, while the bl§nd of voices was almost perfect. The choir was to be congratulated on its conductor, and the conductor on his choir. The only fault to be found was that the singing was too rigidly controlled, lacking sufficient spontaneity. SKIPPING DANCE, under 13 years Loloma Kay (Ponsonby), 84 points .. 1 Roie Jenkins (Otahuhu), and Jay Simon (Rerauera), 76 points .... 2 Highly commended: Joy Hadder (Auckland). This was a. decidedly good section,, remarked the judge, the different steps being well executed. It should be remembered this class was a dance and not a string of steps loosely connectedCLASSIC DANCE, barefoot, 16 years and over. Miss Isabelle. Brook (Epsom), and Miss Peggy Holmes points .* . - 1 Miss G. McNaughton (Grey Lynn), 80 points S In common with the other dancing events over 16, this class was a very.good one indeed, commented the judge. The two girls bracketed in first place gave almost professional performances. CLASSIC DANCE, barefoot, over 13 and under 15 years Diana Lodge (Manurewa), 77 points 1 Kathleen Boyle (Ponsonby), 76 points 2 Cassie Gribble (Mount Eden), 75 points 5) The entries in this section disappointed the judge, who said the standard was nevertheless high. ACTION RECITATION, under 14 years. Dallas Lethaby (Herne Bay), 86 points 1 Ruth Gourdie (Herne Bay), 85 points 2 Joy Simon (Remuera), and Audrey Ivil (Narrow Neck), 84 pbints .. 3 Highly commended: Merle Jenkins (Epsom), Hope Delihanty (Pa pa toe toe), Olga Elsinore (Grey Lynn), Neville Pearson (Ponsonby), Rosalie Daniels (Ponsonby), Jack Ferris (Onehunga), Ngaire Te Weri (Ponsonby), Vera Rae (Ponsonby), Valerie Cunningham (Stanley Bay), Gladys Cain (Point Chevalier), and Zelma Spry (Mount Eden). The judge described this class as a delightful item, in which many sterling performances were given. Out of the 18 competitors at least 12 were worthy of first prize. He hoped the children would continue in their elocutionary studies, as some of them undoubtedly had a future before them. TEST RECITATION, Ladies “Guinevere's Remorse” (Tennyson) „ Miss Gay Corrie (Ponsonby), 83 points 1 Miss Elfrieda Hall (Herne Bay), 69 points 2 The competitors in this class showed good tone and a pleasing variety of expression, both making a worthy effort. The judge warned them against a tendency to drop into a conversational manner at times. SONG IN CHARACTER, under 13 years. Doreen Atkins (Remuera), 142 points 1 Jean Greenwood (Ponsonby), and Gladys Cain (Point Chevalier), 135 points 2 Highly commended: Delme Goudsmith (Remuera), Audrey Ivil (Narrow Neck), and Joy Simon (Remuera). Tfiis was described by the judge as an excellent class-, the contestants coming through a severe test -with credit. The competitors had all made a most suitable choice of their piece. SONGS, Girls, over 13 and under 16. “Trees” (Rasbach). Rena Geddes (Mount Eden), 77 points 1 Beryl Leese (Mount Eden), 74 points 2 Jean Scott (Herne Bay), and Sybil Phillips (Herne Bay), 72 points 3 The judge complimented the committee on the choice of the test piece, and the competitors on their intelligent and sympathetic rendering of a difficult selection. ORATORIO SOLO, Gentlemen Mr. James Wallbank (Mount Eden). 145 points - I Mr. Alan Tyler-Davies (Kaipara), 142 points 2 Mr. Thomas Moffitt (Grey Lynn), 140 points 2 Good selection was also made by contestants in this event, said the judge. Most competitors chose pieces far beyond their reach, but in attempting these they gave better performances than if they had selected simple pieces within their powers. SONG, Boys under 13 National- or Folk Song Ivan Dunn (Northcote), 70 points .. 1 Peter Te Weri (Ponsonby), 62 points 2 The winner gave a far better interpretation of his song than the other contestants, remarked the judge. One entrant chose “Come to the Fair,” which was neither a national nor a folk song. TO-DAY’S RESULTS Finals and recalls at the morning and afternoon sessions were as follow: RECITATION, girls under 7. Joy Asquith, 82 points l Alison Laing, 76 points 2 Norma Robertson and Pearl McMichael, 74 points 3 Highly commended: Mary Brown, Doreen Ruddock, Gloria King and Myrtle Grantiey. RECITATION, boys 11-12. Recalls: Jack Ferris, Alan Ryan and Neville Pearson. CHARACTER RECITAL IN COSTUME, 10-12. Recalls: Rosalie Daniels, Nola Wilson, Olga Elsmore. PIANO SOLO (12 and under 14) Recalls: Sunday Mowbray, Richard Walton, Phyllis Purchause, Jean JohnHighly Commended: Colin Rafferty. NATIONAL OR FOLK SONG (English - or Welsh). Recalls: Miss Edith Strange, Miss Doris Moore, Miss Aimee Clapham.

Highly Commended: Miss K. Christie and Miss Helen Taylor. SATURDAY'S RESULTS PRIMARY SCHOOL. CHOIRS, Std. E and over. Bayfield District School (Mr. I>. W. Hayson, conductor), 263 points .. 1 JUVENILE CHOIR, Std. 4 and under. Bayfield District School (Mrs. Roberts, conductor). CIO points .. . . 1 The judge said that both the senior and junior choirs had given remarkably good performances, especially when it was considered that they had only had a short time for preparation. Their work had reflected much ci'edit on the conductors. Both choirs had lacked spontaneity, however. This was particularly noticeable in the work of t£e senior choir. CLASSIC DANCE, 13 to 15, barefoot. Recalls: Cassie Cribble, Mt. Eden: Kathleen Boyle, Ponsonby; Diana Lodge, Manurewa. CLASSIC DANCE, Barefoot. 16 and over. Recalls: Miss Isabel Brook, Epsom: Miss Peggy Holmes, Parnell; Miss G. Macnaughton, Grey Lynn. SKIPPING DANCE, under 13. Loloma Kay, Ponsonby; Roi«, Jenkins, Otahuhu: Joy Simon, It emu era. Highly commended: Joy Lodder, Auckland. SONG IN CHARACTER, under 13, own selection. Recalls: Doreen Atkins, Remuera; Jean Greenwood, Ponsonby; Gladys Cain, Pt Chevailer. V.H.C.: Delme Goldsmith, Remuera: Au.drey Ivil, Narrow Neck; Joy Simon, Remuera. “Two years ago I had to comment on the unsuitability of many of the selections,'’ said the judge. “This time all the pieces were most appropriate and extremely well rendered. I would like to recall at least six.” SONG, Girls, 13 to 16, “Trees” (Rasbach). Recalls: • Beryl Leece, Mount Eden; Rena Geddes, Mount Eden; Jean Scott, Herne Bay; Sybil Phillips, Herne Bay.