THE COMPETITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 754, 6 May 1933, Page 25 (Supplement)

THE COMPETITIONS.

Pianoforte Work Praised by Judge. ADVICE TO COMPETITORS. An entertaining programme was presented at the Civic Theatre last evening when the Competitions Society continued its 23rd annual festival. Although the attendance was not great, generous applause greeted every item.. A feature of the evening was the lavish praise given to players in the chief piano solo by the musical judge, Mr F. Wentworth Slater, F.R.C.O. (London). Mr Slater said that the competitors had given him the greatest treat south of the line. Christchurch should feel proud to think that it had players whose work amounted almost to that of virtuosi. As it was the first occasion on which Mr Slater had addressed the public, he gave some good advice to competitors in the vocal and instrumental sections. There were several points to be observed, as follows: Rubato should be used more. It was very welcome. 1 Time and accent should receive full attention. The stressing of notes had so far been weak. Like punctuation in the written sentence, accent should be placed on the first beat of every bar. Groups of notes should be distinguished. A short piece played well was better than a “scramble ” through a long piece. In singing, the most important point to be observed was securing the right atmosphere. This could only be done by the singer making himself acquainted with the intention of the song. The melody was only a secondary consideration. Excellence of voice was not everything. Time values should be strictly obeyed. If the composer wanted a certain rhythm, then the singer must carry out his wish as it had been written, and not. as he himself thought fit. The mouth should be kept perfectly still while on a certain vowel. Movement of the lips only caused distortion in the “ shape ” of the note. Chief Piano Solo. The standard of playing in the chief piano solo was excellent, a fact that reflected great credit on students and teachers alike, for the piece bristled with difficulties. Considering that both the finalists were women, further praise must be added, because they showed development of wrist and fingers that was astonishing. As far as interpretation went, there was some difference of opinion evident in certain passages, but that did not detract greatly from the preconceived beauty of the piece. Miss Audrey Ruddock, the winner, and Miss Jean M’Leod, second, created an impression that will be remembered.

Vocal Classes. Three pleasing voictes contested the final of the solo for mezzos. There was no lack of polish such as has been evident in other women's sections. Indeed, the same might be said with regard to the men, who were heard in tenor and bass songs. In the mezzo class, Miss Linda Mills was outstanding. Her voice showed the effects of sensible care in training, and she required little effort to reach and sustain any note throughout her register. Her enunciation at Unites just hinted of the meticulous. Mr A. J. Cadman, winner of the bass section, did not find “ The Vagabond ” beyond his powers, for he possesses a voice that would be particularly useful in heavy dramatic work. With such flexibility, expressive touches were added to his rendering that appealed strongly. Mr J. L. Tennent, second, had a steadier tone than the other singer, but needed more delicacy in light and shade. The winner of the tenor solo, Mr T. E. West, although not very advanced in the art, included some sweet middle register notes that should augur well for his voice later on. Mr W. Bradshaw, second, only needed greater clarity of tone in some of the lower and middle register notes to make his effort a commendable one. national Dancing. Competitors in both the Highland fling and sword dance madte the initial error of taking up their positions too far back on the stage. The costumes were a noticeable improvement on those seen in previous years. Miss Bessie Kearntey, winner of the Highland fling, won praise for her strict attention to technique, but might have infused more animation into her movements. Miss Btetty Carnochan second, seemed to feel the right spirit of the dance. In the sword dance, there was little diffflerence among the three competitors. Except for the tendency to take up incorrect positions mentioned above, the standard left little to be desired. Miss Messie Kearney and Miss Betty Carnochan gained iirst and second place respectively.

Non-recall Classeß. Other classes heard were non-recall sections, and included the following. Violin solo, any age, humorous character sketch, Second section, duet in character, second section, and tne character dance, over sixteen. Results were as'follows: VOCAL SOLO. Mezzo. Own selection. Fifteen entries. Miss Linda Mills (Merivale), A Song in the Night, 174 points . . 1 Miss Evelyn Thompson (Fendalton), “Sewing Song," 173 points .... 2 Miss Jean Byers (Merivale), The Bestless Sea,“ 172 points ■•••■•■> Highly commended: Misses V or i Horrell (Christchurch). Ethel Jackson (Riccarton) and Vera Ealzell (RiccarVIOWN SOLO. Any age. Own selection. Three entries. Miss Nancy Pettitt (Lmwood), “ Praeludium and Allegro, 75 points ; V • * * 1 Miss L. M. Robertson (Shirley), “Caprice Viennois,” 73 points .. 2 HIGHLAND FLING. Fifteen and over. Seven entries Miss Bessie Kearney (Riccarton), 83 points ••••••• *.• 1 Miss Betty Carnochan (Hillmorton), 79 points Miss Kathleen Walton (Spreydon), 78 points •» TENOR SOLO. Open class. “ At the Mid-Hour of Night” (Charles Wood). Six entries. Mr T. E. West (St Albans), 163 points 1 Mr W. Bradshaw (Linwood), 162 points 2 Very highly commended: Mr T. Wright (Riccarton). CHIEF PIANO SOLO. Man or woman. “ Fantasie,” Op. 49 (Chopin). Five entries. Miss Audrey Ruddock (Ashburton), 171 points 1 Miss Jean M’Leod (Linwood), 169 points 2 Very highly commended: Miss Joan Boniface (Spreydon). Highly commended: Misses Merle Cunningham (Christchurch) and Vera Yager (St Albans). CHARACTER DANCE. Sixteen and over. Not Spanish. Six entries. Miss Marjorie Austin (Christchurch), “ Mexican Hat,” 79 points .... 1 Miss Willders M’Mullan (Christchurch), “Russian,” 78 points 2 Miss Betty Carnochan (Hillmorton), “Russian,” 76 points 3 BASS SOLO. Open class. “ The Vagabond ” (R. V. Williams). Seven entries. Mr A. J. Cadman (St Martins), 169 points 1 Mr J. L. Tennent (St Albans), - 168 points 2 Mr A. R. Petrie (Lower Riccarton), 163 points 3 SWORD DANCE. Fifteen and over. Six entries. Miss Bessie Kearney (Riccarton), 82 points l Miss Betty Carnochan (Hillmorton), 78 points 2 Miss Joan Sutherland (Fendalton), 76 points 3 Yesterday’s Results. Yesterday’s results were as follow: ALICE GUNNER MEMORIAL. Open to women residing in Canterbury, (a) Test solo; (b) own selection, not operatic. Fifteen entries. > Recalls: Miss Kathleen Chappie iChristchurch), Mrs Harold Cordery

(Christchurch) and Miss Elsa Rogers (Christchurch). . , Very highly commended: Mrs Cyril Goode (St Albans). Highly commended: Miss Joyce Wilkinson (Merivale), Mrs G. Morrow (Spreydon) and Mrs H. J. Quarrell (Christchurch). SACRED SOLO. Tenor. Open ClaBS. Oratorio optional. Seven entries. Recalls: Messrs W. Bradshaw (Linwood), Arthur Couch (Dunsandel) and T. E. West (St Albans). Highly commended: Messrs Philip Graham (Linwood) and T. Wright (Riccarton). Additional awards in Tuesday’s classes have been made as follow: Vocal Solo, Soprano, own selection. — Very highly commended: Mrs H. Cordery (St Albans). Highly commended: Misses Beryl Emmett (Shirley) and Dorothy Wiltshire (Merivale). Vocal Solo, Men, retricted.—Very highly commended: A. E. Whitworth (Christchurch) and Harold Wilkins (New Brighton). Highly commeided: Clifford Marsh (Riccarton), L. W. Haxell (Linwood) and John Kidson (Cash-To-night’s Programme. The following classes will be heard to-night at the Civic Theatre:—Piano solo, “Cuckoo Song”; recitation, girls, “Little Helper”; song for girls, “A Maori Lullaby”; operatic dance thirteen and sixteen; duet in character, under thirteen, third section; recitation, boys, eight and under twelve; action chorus, any age, second section; song for girls, eight and under ten; recitation in character, boy or girl; and Highland fling, ten and under flfteen.