MOORE FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS

New Zealand Tablet, 11 July 1918, Page 23

MOORE FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS

(From our Wellington correspondent.) The annual competitions in commemoration of the Thomas Moore anniversary were opened in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday, June 29. The anniversary proper occurs on June 28, but owing to unforeseen circumstances the festival, inaugurated last year by the local Hibernian Society, could not be observed on the correct date on this occasion. There were good entries in the various classes. Mr. F. J. Oakes judged the musical items and Mr. J. A. Scott, LL.M., the elocutionary numbers. Mr. E. L. Reade was supervisor, and Mr. P. D. Hoskins secretary. The hall was filled in the morning and afternoon by the relatives and friends of the competitors. The finals were taken in the Town Hall on Monday evening, when a very attractive programme was presented. The concert held in connection with the festival of the gifted Irish poet, whose beautiful lyrics have helped in a very large measure to establish a fabric of Irish song of which the whole of the Anglo-Saxon raceto say nothing of the Celts — tire, drew a large audience to the Town Hall. Amongst those present were his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, and Fathers Mahony, S.M., Hurley, S.M., Adm., and Smyth, S.M., Adm. Added interest was lent the concert by half the programme being comprised of the finals in the Tom Moore competitions, which were reduced to reasonable numbers on Saturday last. These competitions were for boys and girls attending the Catholic schools, and the interest taken in them by the children could not be measured in cold words. Almost without exception the children sang remarkably well, and the decisions of the adjudicator in the musical sections (Mr. F. J. Oakes) were received with enthusiastic approval. In giving his decisions, Mr. Oakes thanked those who had been at pains to teach the choirs, and said that the results were wonderful considering that the time given up to music in the schools during the year worked out at only a quarter of an hour per day. He was sure that the results amply repaid the teachers for the patience and diligence they had exercised. He took a very keen interest in the competitions, as he realised that the boys and girls who participated in them were those on whom they had to rely for the church choirs of the future. The results of the musical competitions were as follow: Boys' soprano solo, "The Coulin"—Thomas George (79 points out of 100), 1 ; John Waters (75), 2. Boys' alto solo, "I Saw From the Beach"—Dan Nolan (62), 1; George Collier (45), 2. Boys' duet, "lias Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded Walters Brothers (78), 1; T. George and C. Simpson (67), 2. Girls' soprano solo, "Silent, O'Moyle"—Eileen Higgins (68), 1; Agnes Clentworth (49), 2. Choir contest (for the Bristol Piano Company's challenge shield), "The Last Rose of Summer"—Marist Brothers' School, Thorndon (78), 1 ; Sacred Heart School, Boulcott Street (76), 2; Island Bay Convent (60), 3. Choir contest (for Begg's challenge shield), "When Through Life"Marist Brothers' School, Thorndon (79), 1; Marist Brothers' School, Newtown (75), 2; Sacred Heart School, Boulcott Street (girls), 3. In addition to the above, the winners of the elocutionary sections, Miss Rita Stewart (girls) and Master Clement Doherty (boys) recited their respective pieces—viz., "How Calm and Beautiful," and "Remember the Glories of Brian the Brave," the latter being awarded the Sommerville challenge cup. The second part of the programme was contributed by adult talents, who also strictly adhered to the lyrics of the famous Irish bard. Miss Agnes Segrief sang very sweetly "Night Closed Round the Conquerors' Way," and Miss Teresa McEnroe's cultured soprano was heard to fine effect in "She is Far From the Land." Miss McKeown was heard to advantage

in "The Meeting of the Waters," and Miss Eileen Driscoll and Mr. T. D. Collins sang the duet "I Saw Thy Form." The strong, vibrant baritone of Mr. A. C. Melvin found good expression in "Let Erin Remember," and Mr. Kevin Dillon recited with dramatic appreciation "'The Prince's Days." "The Minstrel Boy" was nicely sung as a male quartet by Messrs. A. J. Fogarty, E. B. L. Reade, E. J. Healy, and A. C. Melvin, and "Oft in the Stilly Night" by the. same combination was charmingly sung. "The Harp That Once" was sung by Misses Kathleen Jasnen, Eileen Driscoll, Messrs. E. B. L. Reade, and E. J. Healy. The concert was concluded by the combined choirs singing "The Last Rose .of Summer" and "When Through Life Unblest," under the baton of Mr. Oakes, with Miss Eileen Dennehy at the grand organ. The proceeds of the festival go to the Education Fund. The following were the members of the committee: President, Mr. J. P. McGowan; vice-president, Mr. J. J. Troy; treasurer, Mr. J. J. L. Burke; committee of managementßev. Brother Egbert, Messrs. J. D. McPhee, 11. McKeowen, M. Walsh, M. J. McGahey, J. Stratford ; musical committee—Messrs. F. J. Oakes (conductor St. Gerard's, chairman), E. J. Healy (conductor St. Mary's Choir), E. B. L. Reade (conductor St. Anne's Choir), Thos. O'Brien, Rev. Brothers Fidelis (Newtown), and Eusebius (Thorndon).