THE COMPETITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 9

THE COMPETITIONS.

SECOND DAY. The preliminaries of the musical competitions were continued at the Caledonian Hall this morning. The sections were piano solo, under ten, song for girls twelve and under fourteen, and song for boys under sixteen. The entries were good, ana some of the competitors have reached a very high standard. The results were:— PIAXO SOLO. Girls under Ton. " Rondo ” from Sonatina in F (Beethoven). Recalls: Mfss Betty Carnochan, HilTnorten. Miss Elwyn M’Donald, Harev.ard, and Miss Moira D'Envers, Christchurch. Also competed: Bileen Fenton, Patricia Marshall, Linda Pimm, Edna Henderson, Doreen Evans, Joyce Talbot, Eileen Daly, Teresa Ward. Joan Buckley, Master Reg Mathews, Master Ray Cook. Kathleen Manning. May Yeatman, Norma Haldane, Sarah Rawptron, Heather M’Millsn, Master William Brooks. Jessie Ilodda, Katherine Moyle, and Joyce Harris. SOXG FOR GIRLS. Twelve and under Fourteen. "Follow the Fairies ” (Baumber). Recalls: Miss Muriel Kershaw, Xew Brighton. M’ss Freda Judkins, Beckenham, and Miss Lottie Colville, St AlAlso competed: Misses Nr. O'Driscoll. Myra Jack. Audrey Thompson, Nancy Bishop. Peggy Gibson, Lulu Kiddell, Esme Evans and Molly Meyrick. SOXG FOR BOYS. Under Sixteen. "Sing Merrily To-day” (Phillips). Recalls: Master Ewart Douglass. Christchurch. Master Raymond Bralsher. Kaiapoi, and Master Ronald Foster, Wools ton. Also competed: Geoffrey Saunders, Winston Berry, and Honie Yates. SOXG FOR GIRLS. Under 12. Own selection. Recalls. Miss Joan Thompson (St Albans). Miss Kathleen Read (Merivale). Miss Mollie Cummings (Christchurch). Miss Doris Donnelly (Christchurch). RECITATION FOR GIRLS. Under nine. “On Sunday Evening.” Recalls. Miss Joan Thompson (St Albans). Miss K. Read (St Albans). Miss X. Johnstone (Rangioif ). RECITATION FOR GIRLS. 9 and under 12. “ The Clothes Line.” Recalls. Miss E. Penhalluriack (Richmond). Miss Xgalre Whitmore (St Albans). Miss Grace Xixon (Riecarton). NOTES AND COMMENTS. As one of the oldest societies of its kind in the Dominion, the Christchurch Competitions Society is antitied to look back on past achievements with a certain amount of satisfaction. Jt has nothing spectacular to show for its work, but still solid service has been done, and many people have benefited through it. Excellent concert performers have had their first experience of an audience at the Christchurch competitions, and doubtless the wise words of past judges have been an aid to nervous novices in the arts. The real benefit of the competitions cannot be judged by the spectacular ascents of past performers. The greatest good Is done in giving young people a chance to appear in public and overcome the inevitable hesitancy and lack of confidence. This is part of true education, but it is impossible to find a place for it on school curricula. People either get on without it, or else learn at the com petitions. There can be no denial of the contention that the competitions are doing a fine educational service in th* community. The sixteenth festival promises to r»e very successful. Large entries have been received, but there appear to be very few from outside of Canterbury. The ladies’ sections are well filled, and there should be excellent competition in most of the classes. The children's classes have been entered for heavily, • and the little people are sure to provide somi“ delightful entertainment. In the elocution sections for men the entries are poor, wors- than last year, and there is a probability that the work there will be indifferent. Jn the vocal sections the prospects, however, are a little brighter. It is regrettable that the men do not come forward more freely than they do. During the last five or six years their sections have become steadily weaker. It may be modesty, it may be apathy, it may be nervousness, but the y;uth anyway is that they cut a very poor figure 'when con.pared with the ladies. One certainly cannot discern much mascUlin; enterprise in tne coinpetitions. The programme last night was Interesting but uninspiring. There were no outstanding performances. In the elocution sections the great fault was an artificial striving for vooal purity. The

girls recited in a stilted and affected manner, mouthing their vowels and being unappreciative of the spirit of the poetry they were reciting. Speaking of poetry, one must commend the society on the choice of this year’s elocutionary set pieces. The poems of Squire and Bridges on the first night are a promising start. In ” The Downs” (Bridges) three fair performers appeared in the final. They all handled the poem too heavily, taking it more as a piece of drama than anything else. Miss Mavis Ritchie did the thing quietly and intelligently, . and deserved her win. Miss Enid English took it too heavily, and her manner was affected. The Dominion recitation for gentlemen was a weak class. A. A. Johnston did pleasant work in “ Fra Giacomo,” hut there was no subtlety in it. J. R. Lester gave a speech from ” Julius Caesar.” Apart from a ranting tendency in dramatic passages, he did exceedingly well, especially In a little introductory comedy scene. In that Ills work was pleasing and convincing. There were only two starters in the piano solo, eighteen and under twentyone. The piece, ” From the Carnival ” (Greig) demanded patient study, and the winner, Miss showed ment. She gave an excellent, scholarly interpretation of the work. Pier technique generally was good. The finalists in the baritone or bass class were not brilliant. although the winner, George Cordner, and Theo Turner, the second man, both showed considerable promise. They have robust voices, and when they learn to use them better they will he capable of finer worK. CHIiDEEN'S HIQET, The finals in the various children’s classes heard to-day will be decided at the Caledonian Hall this evening, commencing at 7.C0 p.m. There will bo a most attractive programme, as the finalists include r<oin* of the Severest little performers taking part In the Festival Among the numbers to ho heard are the duet in character (under twelve). These classes are always good, and. invariably popular with audloaoes. Recitations, - Mrmforte s-ueotioias and songs agreeable variety. L.** '\«*tJvul will be continued on Monday in Caledonian Hall and St Luke's schoolroom, and there will be a concert by fl the evening in the CaiedonXftrr ■JCSA