THE COMPETITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17034, 7 May 1923, Page 8

THE COMPETITIONS.

FESTIVAL OPENED TO-DAT. The thirteenth annual festival of the Christ church Competitions Society was begun at the Choral Hall and Theatre Royal to-day. There are a large number of entries -and the general standard is expected to be quite »f> good a* last. year. The preliminary elocutionary sections are being heard in the Choral Hall, and the musical ola-sfo* la tihe Theatre Royal. The official opening ceremony will take place this evening. The judges are: —Music. Mr W. Asprey. of Sydney: elocution. Mr H. A. Leicester, M.A.. of Dwvonporf. Tasmania. The official acoompanist is Mrs J. H. Cocks, and the stage manager, Mr H. Sweeney. To-day's results are:— RECITATION. Jjaxiies (restricted). “ The Blackbird.” Recalls:— Miss Nancy White, St. Albans. Mies Gladys Tanner, Christchurch. Miss Valerie Anderson, Dinwood. Also competed: Mieses Irene Lackey (St Matrtine), Myra Williams (Liuwood), Eileen Mitchell (Spreydon), Ellen .Barnet.t (Ricoarton), Dulcie Fowler (Christchurch), Marjorie Moun6©y (Rlearton), and Mrs T. Lewis (North Beach). RECITATION. Girls sixteen and under eighteen. “ Butterflies. ') Recalls:— Miss Juanita Manhire, Spneydon. Miss Mavis Halliday, Wellington. Miss Hazel Shier, Addington. Also competed: Misses Ellen Barnett (Riccarton), Doris Oakes (Christchurch), Myrtle Simpson (Avonside), Myra Williams (Linwood). Dulcie Fowler (Christchurch), Mavis Ritchie (Merivale), Anita Winkei (Dunedin), and Rini Armstrong (Christchurch). GRAND CONCERT TO-NIGHT. At tho Theatre Royal this evening the festival will he officially opened by the Mayor (Air J. A Flesher) at 7.45, and the recalled competitors will appear in the finals of the piano solo “ Polonaise,” recitation “ The Blackbird.” men’s solo, New Zealand composer, violin solo under sixteen, recitation “ Butterflies,” Welsh song (boy or girl), recitation (New Zealand author), soprano solo, and story without words. The judges. Messrs W. Asprev (Sydney) and H. A. Leicester, M.A. (Tasmania), will give their awards in the musical and elocutionary classes respectively. The official accompanist is Airs J. H. Cocks, and the stage manager is Mr H. Sweeney. The official programmes have been printed, and may be purchased at local music shops or at any of the sessions. Season tickets (£1 Is and 10s 6d) are obtainable from the secretary Mr T. F. Hall, at the Theatre Royal. Admission to the day sessions will be sixpence, and to the evening concerts 3s, 2d and Is, as advertised. The timetable for to-morrow is advertised.