THE COMPETITIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15980, 7 May 1924, Page 5

THE COMPETITIONS.

SUCCESSFUL SESSIONS. MUSIC, ELOCUTIONARY, DANCING. ADVICE BY JUDGES. \ jfhe Hamilton Musical and Elocutionary Competitions were continued In the Town Hall, and attracted large audiences morning, afternoon and evening. Last night the president, Mr T. B. Booth, introduced the judges-r-Messrs L-. Watkins. Mus. Bac, and S. Osborn ! —to the audience. Mr Watkins expressed his pleasure s.t being present, and assured the officials and competitors thait he would do his best. He would like to offer some advice to competitors. The first Essential was to try and interpret the meaning of the composer. The composer left something to the imagination, and in this way left the way open for the exercise of individuality in the performer; but in giving expression to one's own individuality there was a danger of losing that of the composer. Firstly, then, the performer should play 'Correctly. Secondly, rhythm was the base of all music. Most savages had it to a high degree, but it seemed that as people became civilised their sense of rhythm lessened. Thirdly, competitors should be careful of their punctuation. Many students* had not got control of their tongue, and therefore the voice was affected. The main thing to aim at was beauty, not volume, of tone, with light and shade. Every song should present a picture, nn£ the singer should get the picture in<;mind as in a story. Get the picture in irind, forget the notes and music and present the picture to the audience. The judge desired the telling of a talc, careful diction, and beauty rather than volume of tone. Ho hoped his judgments would meet with approval, but if they did not he might say that that would not affect him! He would do his best. Mr. Watkins paid a tribute to Mr Cyril Towsey, the offloal accompanist, Baying that the society was fortunate In securing his services. Mr Osborn expressed his pleasure at being in Hamilton, of which he had heard so much. He had been particularly impressed with the Waikato River and :'ts environs. What Mr Watkins had said about music applied, to a large extent, to speech. The voice was glorious organ.' He advised competitors to study modulation —to seek variation of colour; they should not play on a single string. They should And ovA the author* meaning and try and convey that meaning. As a vehicle nothing more expressive than English. A first essential was rhythm, and he hoped, too, the students would impart their own individuality. He would like to congratulate those who had appeared before him that day on their diction. There had oeen a noticeable absence of mannerisms and slang, and the English had been very good. They could not over-emphasise the importance of rhythm both in speech and song. He hoped his judgments and criticisms would be helpful. Results. The results were:— RECITATION (Girls under 9 years). "Baby." Miss Kathleen Green, 78 points .. 1 Miss Gladys Wade, 76 points .. 2 •Miss Patricia Jenklnson, highly commended. judge said the winner had given a very natural performance, with an easy flow and good English. The second competitor's performance was easy and free from gesture, but was "lacking in flow. RECITATION IN CHARACTER. (Not Humourous, Own Selection.) Miss Winnie Ellis, 93 points .. 1 Miss Gretchen Hulme, 91 points .. 2 . Miss Marinoto Tuck, highly commended. According to the judge this was a good class, though a common fault was to cut off the last syllable in some of the words. The winner gave a good performance, and presented the character of "Puck" with attractive abandon. PIANO TEST SOLO. Ten entries. First section taken. Results to bo announced later. ENGLISH FOLK SONG OR BALLAD. (Gentlemen, Own Selection.) Mr J. A. Briggs (Waitoa), "There's a Land," ICO points .. .. 1 Mr J. G. Young (Te Aroha), "Up From Somerset," 159 points 2 Mr W. B. L. Williams (Hamilton) "Heart of Oak," 157 points 3 Eleven entries. The judge said the winner srave an artistic performance, his production being good. TEST RECITAL (Ladies). "Romance" (Lady Margaret Sackville). Nine entries. First section taken. Result to be announced later. SOPRANO OR MEZZO SOLO. (Own Selection.) Miss Thelma Ayers (Rangiora) "Damon," 160 points .. .. 1 Miss Delia Clapham (Claudelands), "Sing, Joyous Bird," 157 2 Miss Jean Purdom (Hamilton), "1 Wonder if Love is a Dream," 156 points, highly commended; Mrs Ivy Ci'aig (Te Kuiti) and Miss Marion Briggs (Otorohanga), commended. Twelve entries. The judge said the class as a whole was good. The winner had a pure, sweet voice, and sang very nicely. The second prize-winner was a young girl with a good quality or voice, Ihough the upper register was not yet fixed. RECITAL (Gentlemen). "Matri Diieetissimae" (Henley). Mr Maurice Wilkinson (Cambridge), 81 points .. .. 1 Mr E. B. Kemsley (Cambridge), 78 points 2 Seven entries. The winner, said the judge, gave a good conception, with nice feeling. His English was good. CLASSICAL DIALOGUE. "Copperfleld and the Waiter" (Dickens). Masters Hugh Williams and Bobbie Green, only entry. The judge said Ihs performers lacked confidence. He could only award them a second prize. VOCAL DUET. "Love Divine" (Stalner). Miss Ivy Muster and Mr A. IT. Outirim (Hamilton) 151 .. 1 Miss J. Purdom and Mr C. Linton (Hamilton), 134 .. .. 2 Only entries. The judge said the winners gave a nice performance, marred somewhat by slurring, which a common fault. The second couple did fairly well, but their voices did not blend so well. HUMOUROUS RECITATION (Gentlemen). Mr "Thomas Fee (Waihi), "Old Mother Hubbard," 78 . . . . 1 Mr Esmond Sharp (Auckland) "The Piny," from "The Sentimental Bloke,'" 76 . . . . t. Five entries. The },ufigc remarked (hat the winner's selection was a clever travesty, and was well carried out as such. The second prize-win-ner got into the character of his and showed good facial expression. FIFTEEN MINUTES' ENTERTAINMENT (Own Selection). Miss Mary McKenzJc's party, in "The Cabaret," was the only entry.

The judge said the abandon necessary in such a scene was lacking. Incidentally it may be mentioned that the performance extended over half-an-hour instead of irfteen minutes, and „much of the jazzing could have been eliminated with advantage. Some good items were introduced. RECITATION (Girls 9 and under 12). "My Grannie." Becalls: Cora Dixon, Lola Monk, Sybil Wright and Bubbles Jenkinson, all of Hamilton. RECITATION IN CHARACTER. Humorous (Girl or Boy). Recalls: Marinoto Tuck (Hamilton), "Mary Jane's Mistress": Gretchen Hulme (Cambridge). "Scein' Things"; Winnie Ellis (Hamilton), "The Aspiring Dishwasher." GIRLS' SONG TEST. (Under 15). Recall?: Misses Joyce Hewitt and Thelma Norman (Hamilton). PIANO SOLO (Under 10). "Minuet in G Major" (Reethoven). Master Douglas Scott (Cambridge) 147 points 1 Miss Barry Harbutt (Cambridge) 14 6 points . . 2 The judge said the class showed careful preparation, but only in two cases was the selection taken quickly enough. It was a creditable performance. BEADING AT SIGHT (Lady or Gentleman). Mrs H Pain (Otahuhu), 77 1 Mr Frank Penn (Cambridge) 76 2 Judge's remarks: The winner reads intuitively; good contrasts; excellent English; descriptive work excellent. CONTRALTO TEST SOLO. First Section. This test was taken, but the results will not be announced until the second section has been taken. Competition Notes. "Three delightful performances" was the verdict of a gentleman who was present at the competitions this morning during the singing of the first section of the contralto test'solo. It is a matter for congratulation to all concerned that music of such a high standard is set before the judge. "Your entries are better than Wanganui's," saiid a visitor to the competitions from the southern town yesterday. There is no doubt that with approximately 900 items appearing in the programme the local society has a very fine collection. The talent coming forward is in many cases of a very fine order. The inauguration of evening programmes consisting almost entirely of competitors recalled on account of the excellence of the day performances, is being much appreciated at the com'pctitions. To-night and To-morrow. To-night the tests will be: Violin solo under 12 years, vocal quartette "0 Happy Eyes" (Elgar), song in character, girl or boy under 14 and ovor IS. To-day's recalls will also be taken. To-morrow's sections will be: — Morning—Girls' song test 15 and under IS years, piano solo over 10 and under 14 years, boys' song test over 16 and under 20 years, recitation girls over .10 and under 14 years. Afternoon —Recitation boys over 12 and under 16, contralto test solo, boys' song test 16 and under 20, Shakespearean recital gentlemen, piano solo over 14 and under 18 years, humourous character sketch. Evening—Children's chorus under 16 years, story without words, prepared speech, and day's recalls.