WANGANUI COMPETITIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19128, 2 October 1924, Page 5

WANGANUI COMPETITIONS

MORE SPLENDID PROGRAMMES DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMME THIS EVENING The Wanganui Competitions again drew record attendances yesterday, and the work was of the consistently hign level of the previous programmes, Tonight will be the first demonstration night, when in addition to talented competitors, the judges, Messrs Barry Coney and Culford Bell, will contribute items. Yesterday’s results were:— SCOTTISH SONG OR BALLAD. Mr R. Francis, “Afton Water,” 174 1 Mr R. D. Welsh, “The Sands of Dee,” 167 .. 2 Also competed: W. H. Christie, “Border Ballad”; W. F. Roberton, “Mary”; J. Quinn, “Border of Arlad”; L. McCarthy, “Mary of Argyle”; N. Tyler, “The Battle of Stirling.” The judge explained that Mr Francis’ letter and note was good, as also was his diction. The winner sang impressively, and only went wrong in one note. SACRED SOLO (Mezzo-soprano). Own Selection. Miss G. Clayton (Wellington), “The Lord is My Light,” 163 .... 1 Miss K. Wilson (Mangaweka), “Angels Ever Bright and Fair,” 157 2 Also competed: Miss Ailsa Nicol, Mrs W. Daniel, Miss Eileen O’Sullivan, Miss Eva Webb-Jones, Miss Dorothy Naumann, Miss Ivy Kendrick. The judge said that here again they had a good section, but some of the singers were much better than others. Some of the interpretations were not very good. The greatest and most noticeable faulth were in regard to time and interpretation. The competitors must learn to sing in time, and put expression into their work. CHARACTER DIALOGUE. Ladies and (or) Gentlemen. Miss Pawson and Mr E. Lind, “Sir Peter and Lady Teazle,” 109 .. 1 Miss McKirdy and Miss W. Bigncll, “The Secret,” 108 2 Also competed: Misses Margaret O'Halloran and Veronica Shale, Misses G. Parkes and S. Richardson, Misses E. McNaught and E. Harris, Miss M. Brock and Mr H. Hean. The judge, Mr Culford Bell, stated that here the audience was treated to some splendid work, particularly in the afternoon, and he only regretted that the committee could not recall all the competitors. The competitors in the evening were beautifully and effectively dressed, and the dialogues were creditably presented. HUMOROUS RECITATION (Ccntlomen) 1 Mr Peter Dickson, 78 1 Mr Reymond Kncwstubb, 75 .. .. 2 Also competed: Mr T. P. Souter, Mr Level C. Swan, Mr Owen Warnock. The judge remarked that Mr Knewstubb gave a good performance over the first three versos, but after that his work became a little tedious. The success of the piece he recited depended largely upon the actual description of th 6 race, which should be vivid. The performance was good in parts, but needed polishing up. Tho winner’s selection was better than that of the firsz competitor, although he missed a fair amount of the humour. SACRED SOLO (Baritone or bass). Own Selection. Mr N. Tyler, “Honour and Arms,” 157 1 Mr R. D. Welsh, “I Feel the Deity Within,” 156 2 Also competed: W. H. Christie, J. Quinn, V. 11. Reid. The judge briefly commented upon this class and stated that here they were treated to some good performances. VOCAL DUET. (Ladies). Mrs Tarrant and Miss Allomes, “Venetian Boat Song,” 186 1 Misses K. Wilson and E. Greenwood, “I Would That My Love,” 166 2 Also competed: Misses Kendrick and Scrivener, Misses Ruby Turvey ami Eileen Gilbert, Misses Worry and Perrett, Misses Allpress and Body, Misses Walker and Scrivener, Misses L. and E. Younger. The judge remarked that these items were very enjoyable. In commenting upon the winners’ performance, he stated that their combination was not a particularly good one, but still they sang their number with splendid stylo. Generally speaking the performance was a brilliant one, and he had to congratulate the competitor who sang soprano. HUMOROUS SONG (Not comic). Lady or Gentleman. L. McCarthy, 175 1 Miss D. Naumann, 167 2 Also competed: J. Renwick, N. Tyler, W. H. Christie. PIANO SCHOLARSHIP TEST. Boy or Girl, 14 to 15 years. Miss A. Naumann, 154 1 Miss G. Marshall, 151 2 Miss Linda Price, 142 .. , 3 Also competed: Miss C. Martin, Miss Doris Robertson. In making mention of the scholarship test the judge said they had some very good performances, although one young lady was very nervous. If she had not been she would no doubt have done her work better, and possibly have gained first place. The in almost every case was weak. GIRL’S SONG. (Under 12). Miss D. Saunders (Wellington), 173 1 Miss K. Spurdie, 167 2 Also competed: Miss Madeline La Hogue, Miss Alice Doreen Rogers, Miss Betty Ross. The judge pointed out that in this section they had two very nice performances. The singing of the winner was very charming. JUNIOR TEST RECITAL. (Boys under 16.) Master J. Pargeter, 82 ........ 1 Master N. Johnson, 79 2 Master R. Holmes (Palmerston N.), 78 3 ; Also competed: Masters Herbert Dustin, Russell Dreyer, Charles R. Cas-

ford, Geo. T. Hunter, Sydney A. Man* deno, Archibald Hamilton, Edgar W. Taylor. Arnold Treloar, Donald Maciver, Heywood Thomson, and Norton Ross. The judge mentioned that hero they had some nice, artistic work. IRISH JIG. 13 to 16. Miss L. Broadhead, 77 ...... .. 1 Miss E. Anderson, 76 2 Misses D. Nixon & C. Spriggens, 74 3 Also competed: Miss Margaret Hunger, Miss Freda Gannon, Miss Dorii Shaplcski, Feilding. OPERATIC DANCE. Polka time. 12 and under 16. Miss Joan Marshall, 82 J Miss L. Broadhead, 80 2 Also competed: Misses Shirley Latham, Ruby Fisher Lower Hutt), Mavis Kendrick, Joyce Hayward, Joan Broad, Nancy Duncan, Helen Spurdie, Beryl Ward (Wellington). PIANO SOLO. Under 20. “Allegretto and Rondo.” From Sonata in E major (Beethoven). Miss M. Green, Taupiri, 152 .... ? Miss D. Bourne, .133 2 Also competed: Miss Lorna L. Forbes, Stratford. In commenting upon this class tho judge, Mr. Barry Coney, remarked that this was not played as well as he would have liked, although one or two of the competitors gave a very good reading. The most common mistake was that the time was too rapid. STORY WITHOUT WORDS. Miss W. Bigncll, N. McKirdy, R. Ross and B. Allen, “An Invitation to the East and West,” 70 1 The pieces played, said the judge, were a little difficult to follow, but the winners did some good pantomimic work. RECITATION IN CHARACTER. Humorous. Boy or Girl under 16. Master H. Thomson, 107 ........ t Master J. Pargeter, 106 2 Miss Shirley Latham, 105 3 Also competed: Master Russell Dreyer, Miss Helen Spurdie, Miss Beryl Easton, Miss Jean Ditchfield, Miss Helen Nancy Hales, Miss Elva Jennings, Master Sydney A. Mandeno, Miss Molly Cadle (Palmerston N.), Miss Joan Marshall (Wellington), Miss Edna Watts, Miss Adelaide Moorchouse, Miss Betty Allen, Master Noel Johnson, Miss Dolly Horwell, Miss Elsie Harris, Master Norton Ross, Miss -Ailsa Ross, Miss Maudie Dalzell, Miss Marion Brock. This was a very large section, and twenty-three juveniles competed. Tn referring to the winner, the judge said that he impersonated the part well This performer was successful so fai as humour was concerned, and showec improvement in his work. ’ COMPETITIONS TO-DAY The Competitions will close to-day, when the Opera House will be engaged from 9 a.m. with recitation, boys under 12. This will be followed at 9.30 by recitation in chapicter. In this class there are no fewer than twenty-seven competitors. The operatic dance commences at 11.10 a.m. and in this there arc six Wellington and Wanganui representatives. Clog dance, fancy dance, sailor’s hornpipe, Irish jig, will follow in turn and take up all the morning. The afternoon session will commence at 2 o’clock with the srholarship class, tenor, baritone or bass (a) “Silent Moon” (b) own selection. Seven of Wanganui’s most promising young singers will be engaged. The Contralto Scholarship section will be taken at 3 p.m. and mezzo-soprano at 3.40 p.m; This delightful programme is a fitting finale to memorable competitions.

DEMONSTRATION CONCERT TO-NIGHT. Tho first demonstration concert will bo given at the Opera House to-night, and as the whole of the dress circle, tn© orchestral stalls have been reserved, the success of the enterprise is assured. As for to-night’s programme, it appears on page 11, and a perusal of it will prove pretty convincing that a very high-grade programme has been drawn up. There are so many good things on the programme that it would be impossible for us to individualise them. See the programme elsewhere and judge for yourselves. It is hoped that Mr Barry Coney will be well enough to appear. FRIDAY’S MATINEE PUTIKI MAORIS TO PERFORM. The Putiki Maori children are It give their delightful and entertaining action song, haka, and songs at Friday’s matinee, as they will be breaking up for the’r holidays on Saturday. That should be sufficient to pack the Opera House from floor to ceiling with mothers and their little ones, apart from the hundreds expected iu from the country who have read of the wonderful doings at the Competitions through the medium of the “Chronicle.” The Friday afternoon programme is unique, and will, of course, be quite different from that of the Saturday afternoon. It commences at 2 o’clock, and all who are fortunate to gain admission to the Opera House will undoubtedly fully appreciate the choice items selected foi approval. In addition to the items by the Putiki Maori children many othei charming little performers will give, of

their best to entertain and amuse patrons, among whom it is hoped will be hundreds of mothers who may not be able to attend on Saturday afternoon. The Competitions so far have enjoyed public favour, and the festival has been voted by all to have been the best yet held by the society. The support given by the general public is very gratifying to the society, as it means that more scholarships will be established next year. The Competition Society is a community enterprise, started and maintained for cdu rational purposes, and those who attend to-morrow afternoon’s matinee, the demonstration concerts and the matinee again on Saturday afternoon have this assurance that they are helping the society to carry on its educational work. To-morrow’s matin* e needs no boost. Get along and enjoy the items provided.