THE COMPETITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS.

CHILDREN’S DAY. There was again a large audience at the Concert Hall on Saturday evening when the third week ,of the Christchurch Competitions Society’s festival was entered upon. As on the previous two Saturdays the programme was devoted to children’s events. The programme was well varied and was entertaining throughout. One of the features announced was the combined ballet, but unfortunately only one of the three ballets competed. However the display given by the tiny tots was fully appreciated by the audience. One of the strongest and most interesting classes was the song for boys under sixteen. In this section two beautiful and fresh young voices were heard, which the judge divided by one mark only. In. both cases he referred to the singers as having given outstanding performances. Following were the results, with judges’ comments:— CHAMPION RECITATION. (Boys under twelve.) Own selection, not humorous. Graham Clothier (St Albans), “Craven,” S 3 1 James Humphreys (Addington), “All You Big Steamers,” 80 .. 2 Gofdon Windsor (Ross), “The Best School of All,” 77 3 The winner gave a performance which was both pleasant and full of interest. He had sustained a strong note of interest throughout. The second performer had not brought out the contrasts in his number. SONG FOR BOYS. (Twelve and under fourteen.) “Song of the Little Folk.” Sydney Bartos (Waimate), 88 .... 1 Eric Williams (Ashburton), 87 2 Winston Berry (Avonside), 81 .... 3 The winner had displayed a voice of beautiful quality. The intonation was sweet on the whole and the rhythm had been very nice indeed. Master Eric Williams had a voice of pleasing quality and he had sung well in tune. Master Berry just lacked warmth and grace though he had a sweet voice of fine quality. RECITATION. (Boys ten and under twelve.) “Sing a Song of Cricketers.” Keith Wootton (Riccarton), 79 .... 1 Gordon Wjnsor (Ross), 77 2 Donald M’Lean (Shirley), 75 3 Most of the competitors failed to realise the spirit of the test, which should be recited with a swing. The winner had given the brightest performance on the whole. The others had not shown enough spirit and they had missed the brightness and animation of the -recitation.

BAREFOOT DANCE. (Nine and under twelve.) Miss Gladys Rose. (Linwood), 78 .. 1 Miss Joan Joyce (Riccarton), 77 2 Miss Berwyn Frye (St Albans), 76 3 This section, said Madame Dennis, was rather weak. The children did not seem to realise the art of relaxation which was one of the most important features of dancing in barefoot classes. The winner was the only competitor who had shown relaxation in her performance. PIANO DUET. (Fourteen and under sixteen.) Own selection. Misses Phyllis Palmer and Jean Edginton (Riccarton), “Slavonic Dance,” 93 1 Misses Marjorie Alexander and Norene Craddock (St Albans), “Merry Wives of Windsor,” SI) 2 Misses Jean Houghton and Noel Cape-Williamson (Christchurch), “Rhapsody No. 2,” 87 3 The winning duet in this section was played with a beautiful tonal balance that was almost perfect. The performance was rhythmic and piquant and was commendably note perfect. The artistes were gifted and talented and it was an arresting performance. The second competitors, who showed resource, blurred their performance with poor pedal control. RECITATION IN CHARACTER. Boy or Girl. Eight and Under Ten. (Humorous. Own Selection.) Miss Rona Hill (St Albans), “I am a Kitten,” 8S 1 Miss PStricia Smith (Rangiora), “The Frog’s Courtship,” 85 .... 2 Master J. Humphreys (Addington), “ How to be a Doctor,” 77 .. 3 The performances in this section were interesting, but by no means outstanding. None of the characterisations was really first class, though the efforts were creditable. COMBINED BALLET. (Classes Under Twelve.) Miss Iris Edmonds’s School of Dancing, 74 2 Although trere was # only one entrant in this class, the work was very charming indeed, and the children did very well. A feature was the arm movement, which was natural and dainty.

HUMOROUS RECITATION. (Boys Under Twelve). Own Selection. Graham Clothier (St Allans), “ Competitions,” 75 3 R. Thomson (St Albans), “Willie,” 74 . 2 Gordon Windsor (Ross), “Minding the Baby,” 73 3 The winner in this section had spoken fairly well, while his humour and his imitations were very fair. The second place filler also had a fair voice com bined with good humour. The third competitor could have brought out the hrimour more with better facial expres SONG IN CHARACTER. (Boy or Girl Under Ten.) Own Selection. Miss Eunice Fowler (Christchuicli), “Powder Puff,” 91 . 1 James Humphries (Addington), “ The Fishmonger,” 89 2 Miss Norene Johnston (Rangiora), “ Toy Soldier,” 87 3 The winner in this section had a voice of attractive quality. The costume was good and the general effect was excellent. Master Humphries also had a voice of good quality and pleasing intonation. The third place fillei had a sweet little voice, but the tone was just a little too timid. The mechanical soldier effect was well sustained throughout. SKIPPING DANCE. (Girls Under Twelve t Miss Betty Carnochan (Christchurch), 81 1 Miss Joan Sutherland (St Albans), Miss Margaret Wootton (Riccai^on), Although this class was pleasing, the majority of the competitors did not know the correct way of turning a rope. The arms should alwaj's be held loose and naturally. The winner had given quite a neat performance. The second competitor was inclined to do all her turning with the right arm,

HUMOROUS RECITATION. (Girls Twelve and Under Sixteen.) Own Selection. Miss Eunice Woods (Spreydon), “They Won't Let Me,” 77 .... 1 Miss Mary Murrow (Timaru), “The Old Sailor,” 75 2 Miss Ngaire Poundsford (Spreydon), “ The Cricket Match,” 74 3 The section was pot a very strong one. The performance of the winnei was a little too measured and studied, and the second competitor had not attacked the choice properly. SONG FOR BOYS. (Twelve and Under Sixteen.) Own Selection. Frank Robinson (Redcliffs), “June,” 92 3 Sydney Bartos (Waimate), “Singing in the Rain,” 91 2 Eric Williams (Ashburton), “Only a River Running,” 85 .3 The winner of the section had a nice choice of piece. He had a voice of sweet, warm quality and tone, and showed resource and expression. It was an outstanding performance. Master Bartos had a voice of beautiful quality and artistic restraint. Ilis also was an outstanding performance. PIANO SOLO. (Reading at Sight. Under Sixteen.) Miss Una Lamberton (Linwood) .. 1 Miss Alice Wayland (Gust) 2 Miss Dorothy Liebert (St Albans) .. 3