COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1274, 1 November 1911, Page 6

COMPETITIONS.

VOCAL, INSTRUMENTAL AND ELOCUTIONARY. NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY'S FIRST. CARNIVAL. YESTERDAY'S RESULTS. Yesterday afternoon saw tho largest Jaylight audience that has yet attended the New Zealand Competitions' Society s contest at tho Town Hall. As tho carnival proceeds, its popularity increases. The interest in tho musical and elocutionary items has now becomo extremely keen, and tho season ticket patrons now plume themsolves upon their seasoned critical faculty, taking delight in "picking the winners," and giving elaborate reasons for so doing after the manner 01 Mr. C. N. Baoyortz. With larger audiences in the daytime, tho matineo hat comes into prominence as a first-class nuisance to anyone who has the 111-for-tuno to be seated behind an "out-size. Yesterday introduced three sight-readmg tests for adults and children, tho lxiss solo, the self-accompanied, self-selected song, children's recitation, and the piano solo competition for boys and girls under 11 years of ago. All proved to bo highly entertaining in their general character, and wero educative both to competitors and their audience, lhe following are tho results of the various contests, together with the judges' comBaentS:_ PIANO SOLO. .(Under 11.) Piano Solo (under 14)-Tcsfc Piece, . "Rondo in C Major" (op. 51, No. 1), Beethoven. First prize, silver medal; second prize, bronze medal; third prize, certificate..—Entrants— Marjorio Palmer (l'eatherslon), Evelyn Harris (Wellington), Ethel.Bignoll (Marton), Leslie C. TV. Henry Adams (Wanganui), Lexic Usborno (Lower Hutt), Marjory Gwendoline Keyworth (Wellington), Madeline Mary Hooker (Hawcra), ,Agiice Maud Luckius (Brooklyn), Dorothy Lydia Talbot (DunE Result-Master L. C. W. Adams, Wa•nganui, 1 (138 marks); Ethel Bignell, Marton, 2 (130 marks); Madehno M. Hooker, Hawera, 3 (131 points). Mr. Harold Gregson, tho judge, said that the winner was the same gifted boy who won in the Section 12 contest—Master Adams. Those present would be interested to hear that he was only 11 years of a»e. Miss Bignell would havo won had sho taken more care. Tho third prizo ■winner gave a very fair reading. Mr. Gregsna announced that the fluto 6010 competition would bo taken next week. • SONG. (Lady or Gentleman.) Song (lady or gentleman), own selection accompanied by self. First prize, £2; second prizo, .£1; third prize, certificate.—Entrant*—Miss Flora Sutherland (Wan»anui), "Stolen Wings"; Mr. Stanley Eankin (Brooklyn), "Melisando in the Wood"; Mrs. C. T. Reid (C. Tairoa Ecid) . (Itilbirnic), "The Waking of Spring"; Miss Georgina D. Barker (Chvistchurch), "Eleanoro"; Mr. Gerald Bell (Wellington), "Father O'Flynn"; MissCCr t B. Price (Wellington), "When I --Awake"; Mr. Oswald D. Avison (Hastings), "Tlie Rosary"; Miss Florence J. Pacey (Dunedin), "You'd Better Ask Me"; Mrs. H. Low (Wellington South), "The Link Divine"; Miss A. M. St. Georgo (Wellington); Miss G. Helen GardW (Dunedin), "Waiata Pdi"; Mr. Douglas V. Lillicrap (Wellington), "Bois Espais"; Mr. A. G. Thompson (Nelson); Miss Doris M: Tennant (Wellington), "I Hear Ton Calling Me"; Mr. F. Blandford (Wellington), "I Sing Theo Songs of Araby." Selected for final test—Miss Flora Sutherland, Miss Florenco Pacey, Miss G. Helen Gard'ner, and Mrs. C. T. Reid. Final Test—Miss Florence Pacey, of Dunedin, 1 (131 marks); Miss Gardner, of Dunedin, 2 (129 marks); Mrs. C. T. Reid, of Kilbirnie, 3 (12-4 marks). Hon. mention. Miss F. Sutherland, of Wanganui (120 marks). With tho choice of song loft to tho competitors, the judge (Mr. Baeyertz) was *of opinion that they might have selected songs that' were more inspiriting. The winner's enunciation was particularly good. Sho could bo heard all ovor the hall. Sho gave a dainty reading of her song, and her accompaniment was nicely played. The second prize-winner's memory failed her, and she did not sing so well in the evening as in the morning. Her voice was rather strident, and tho accompaniment was rough. BASS SOLO. Bass Solo—Test Piece, "Vulcan Song," by Gounod. First prize, £1; second prize. £1; third prize, certificate.—Entrants— L. Fleming (Christchurch), W. Walters (Dunedin), R. H. Dellow (Auckland), 11. S. Maloney (Christchurch), H. Holland, (Mornington); T. M. Pearn (Wellington); F. W. Laycock (Brooklyn); R. R. Orr (Lower Hutt); T. E. Jones (Wellington); G. Wilkinson (Christchurch); 0. E. Farrow (Auckland); A. G. Thompson (Nelson). Selected for final test—R. H. Dellow, R. S. Maloney, and 0. E. Farrow. Final Test—o. Farrow, of Auckland, 1 (130 marks); R, H. Dellow, of Auckland, 2 (115 marks); R. S. Maloney, of Christchurch, 3 (112 marks). Three good readings were given of the song, one very nice indeed. Ho (the winner, Mr. Farrow) had a fine bass voice.' His rhythm was good, and his reading was dramatic and rich in colour. Mr. Maloney did not sing so well as in the afternoon. Ho had some difficulty with the lower G. SIGHT READING. (Lady or Gontleman.) Sight Reading (Lady or Gontleman). First prize, i:3; second, prize, £2; third prize, certificate. —Entrants—Alfred Andrews (Greymouth), Chas A. L. Treadwell (Wellington), James (.'. Bell (Lower Hutt), Una H. Owen (Dunedin), Hamilton Gray (Wellington), Ernest V. Slyfield (Donodiu), Win. Parker, Pirongia (Waikato). Marcus St. John (Masterton). Kenneth' E. Shornoy (Wellington), Mrs. A. M. Lewis (Wellington), Mrs. Mabel Bradlev (Wellin'ton), Mrs. Arthur Griffiths (dnfiedin), Lilian Prichard (Melbourne), E. Caser (Ohakuns), R. H. Houje (Lower Hutt), Francis S. Gardner (Auckland), Julius Hogbeu (Wellington), Claud Smith (Wellington), Molly Flux (Wellington), Miss ''E. Churchill (Duuedin).

Result—James C. Bell, 1 (211 out of 400 marks); Hamilton Gray, 2 (207 marks); Una Owen, 3 (201 marks).

The picco selected for reading was a passage from George Meredith's "Essay on Comedy." As the three recalls were so close together, tho judge (Mr. Baeyortz) selected another passage, this time from Meredith's "Diana of tho Crossways." In announcing the result (as above), Mr. Baeyertz said that it was apparent that the competitors were not Meradithian scholars. There was a general lack of appreciation of Meredith's subtlety, and a good deal of wrong rising and falling inflexion. On the whole, i)w best reading was that of Mr. Bell. Miss Owen, who was best in the first TPnding, was not heard to advantage in the second. AH three readings were intelligent. SIGHT HEADING. (Under 14.) Sight Iteading (under 1!). Ist prize, Silver Medal; 2nd prize, Bronze Medal; 3rd prize, Certificate.—Entrants—AVinton Brown (Otaki), Angela J. T. Perkins (Wellington), Alfred Lancaster (Kilbirnie), Leonard I'oiver (Wellington), Ethel M. Erevins (C'aristchurch), Cyril L. Rishworth (Lower Hutt), Stella Cairns (Mastcrton), Hazel J.''. Joffery (Island Day). Besult-Angela J. T. Perkins, 1 (108 marks); Ethel 11. Brewins, 2 (96 marks); Cyril Kishworth and W. Brown, 3 (93 marks each). The study sot piece has a passage from one of liobert L. Stevenson's books. Mr. Baeyertz remarked that the passago did not seem to him a very difficult one, but it appeared to puzzle some of the children. Most of them read with their eyes slued to the book. They should not do rlmt. A better effect could bo got by looking up momentarily between passages. He especially recommended tho work of .'-.lfroil Lancaster, who, he said, was a v.MT clever boy indeed. l''or his ago ho wv'o a remarkably good reading. Hazel .MTery was also commended her general work and emphasis. Tho winner had a good conception of the piece, though She gave a cold reading. SIGITT READING. (Under 16.) Sight Reading (under '1G). Ist prize, Silver Medal; 2nd prize, Bronzo Medal;

3rd prizo, Certificate.—Entrants— Paulino Brown (Otaki), Hamisli Donaldson (Potone), Ethel M. Brewins (Christchurch), Mavis Hall (Wellington), trie K. Rishworth (Lower HuCl), Ethel T\. Talbot (Wellington). , Result-Mavis Hall, 1 (93 marks); Ethel Talbot, 2 (DG marks), Paulino Brown, 3 (OS marks). . , An honourable mention was awarded to Ethel M. Browins. Robert Louis Stevenson was onco more I selected as the medium of expression. Tho judge (Mr. Baeyertz) again remarked that tho competitors eyes were shied too closelv to tho book. They should tn to read a "line ahead. Reference was made to the prevalence of bad articulation, llic winners emphases were correct and nor reading intelligent. The second girls enunciation was excollsnt. blie, too, we an intelligent reading, but was fauly n her emphases. Miss Brown was inclined to minco hsr words. RECITATION. (Girls under 11.) Recitation (girls under ll)-Test Piece, "The Children's Hour (Longlellow). First prize, silver medal; second prize, bronze medal; third prize, cerhheate.-Entronts-Winifred C. S. Trevai (Christchurch). Zelma Koesing (Wellington), Lorna P. Snow (Wellington), Jove Eggers (Wellington), Eliza A. Joss (Invercargill), Colleen Raywyd (T\o mgton), Kura Eileen Thompson (Wellington), Leah Pool (Wellington), Hazel 1. Jeftery (Island Bay), Marjorio Fry (Wellington South), Euphemia M. Pearson (Island Bay), Grota M. Haylock (Wellington), Myrtle Lewis (Wellington), Kawe Una James (Wangamii), Zita H. Chapman (lower Hutt), Daphne Dryden (Wellington), Ethels M. Brewins (Christchiirch), Eileen Aitcheson . (Wellington), Stella Cairns (Masterton). Result—Zita Chapman and Ethel Brewins, 1 (123 mark's each); Joyo Eggers, 2 lIS marks); Hazel Joffery, 3 (114 marks). This (commented tho judge, Mr. Baeyortz) was an exceedingly good ftction, in which there was somo very nice work indeed. Ho was glad to notice that there was no disfiguring colonial accent. There were two specially good performances, so good that ho thought it would bo a shame ■to separate them. Ethel Brewins, who was very effective with her pauses, was a very clever little girl, and did delicate subtle work. Zita Chapman's enunciation and pronunciation were food, and she possessed marked histrionic ability, displayed in clever light and shade reading. IMPROMPTU SPEECH. Impromptu Speech (Lady or Gentleman). Time limit, five minv.tes. One minute to prepare. First prizo, £3; second prizo «£2; third prize, certificate. — Entrants—S. G. August (Invcreargill), Claud Smith (Wellington), D. Patterson (Wellington), R. G. Butcher (Wellington), F. S. Gardner (Auckland), E. Casey (Ohakune), J. M'L. Hogben (Wellington), M. Moriarty (Greymouth), E. E. Moston (Wangamii), H.'L. Smith (Greymouth). Result—E. Casey, Ohakune, 1; H. L. P. Smith, Greymouth, 2; J. M'L. Hogbca, 3. Hon. mention, Claude Smith.

The competitors wore kept in a room at the back of the stage until their turn arrived to speak. On reaching the platform they wero told by Dr. Izard that tho subject of the epeocli was "Gossip." Each one was given one minute to collect his thoug-hts. He had to speak for five tainutes, a bell being rung at the termination of fouis minutes as a warning to the compotitoi to plungo into his peroration. The Rev. Father Hickson acted as timekeeper. / In delivering judgment, Mr. Baeyertz said that on the previous evening ho had promised tlfe audience something that would amuse them, and they must admit that he had kept his word. One aspirant had said that "gossip had separated many a man from a prospoctive wife." (Laughter.) One speaker had given a very good definition of gossip—it was: "Saying things about others that ono would not liavo said about themselves." The winner (Mr. Casey) had held his audience very well, and though lie talked in generalities, he had grip, personality, and magnetism. The second prize-winner had talked earnestly and sincerely, but he had not tho personality of Mr. Casey. Tho third prize winner lacked coherency, but showed a good deal of humour. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. SCOTCH SONG CONTEST. Another highly-diverting programme has been arranged for to-day. Those who have a particular interest in Scottish pong will be interested to learn that no fewer than 41 entries havo been received for the Scotch song competition, which is to begin at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The choice of song is left to the competitor, and the list that has beon handed in (and set out in the official programme) contains nearly every traditional Scotch song known to fame. How the singers comport themselves in these selections will be interesting to watch. To-day's projrammo is as follows:— 10 a.m.—Piano duet (under 16). Test piece: "Trois Marches Militaire" (Schubert). • 11.30 a.m.—Violin Solo (under 12). Test piece, "Stilles Gluck" (Sift). 11.30 a.m.—Rocitation (srirls under 16).~ Test piece, "To a Skylark." 2 p.m.—Scotch Song (Lady or Gentleman). Own selection. 4 p.m.—Duet (Gentlemen), "Watchman, What of the Night?" (Sargeant).