JUDGE DISAPPOINTED AT NOT HEARING CHORAL CLASSES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18470, 23 May 1928, Page 5

JUDGE DISAPPOINTED AT NOT HEARING CHORAL CLASSES.

PRAISES WORK OF JUNIOR SECTIONS AT COMPETITIONS. “The chief weakness in the musical section lies in the absence of choral classes in Christchurch.” said Mr E. Bennett North (Sydney), the judge in the musical section of the Christchurcn Competitions. “There was not one entry from a church choir. I was also disappointed .that there were no duets and no mixed quartettes.” Mr North described the standard in the musical section at the Competitions as varied, and, on the whoie, fairly good. He was very impressed with the excellence of the work in the junior classes, and also in the aduit vocal classes—both ladies’ and gentlemen’s. In these sections there were some very outstanding perforr-iances of distinct merit. Mr North was warm in his praise of the work in the pianoforte classes. More than one player, he said, showed very decided talent and aptitude. Some very fine performances were registered, and the standard would compare favourably with that anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. Tbe instrumental classes did not receive such warm praise, the judge describing the violin class as weak. Incidentally, said Mr North, these compe titions were regarded by musicians as a training ground for the teachers of the f .rture. “I have enjoyed this visit immensely,” concluded Mr North, “and I shall leave Christchurch with a very high opinion of some of the prize-winners, who, I hope, will strive to attain higher successes.”