COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1276, 3 November 1911, Page 9

COMPETITIONS.

VOCAL, INSTRUMENTAL AND ELOCUTIONARY. NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY'S FIRST CARNIVAL. YESTERDAY'S RESULTS. The competitions at the Town Hall retain their grip on the public. Yesterday's programme was marked by several sections which attracted large "fields," on paper, but when it camo to facing tho judge tho numbers were sceu to have dwindled considerably. Cases have l>eo:i noticed cf young ladies, entered for half a dozen competitions, and 9oldom absent from tho Town Hall, failing to appear on tho platform. They sea the crowded hall, note the written criticisms given to other competitors, eyo the judge, nnd then just do not put in appearance. There is really very little cause for what is apparently sheer nervousness, ns the audiences so far havo been most indulgent, and never fail to'recogniso any gleam of talent in a young performer. Besides, "stage-fright"—for that is really what it is—may be very easily cured by a little platform experience. If these competitions only serve a» a remedy for this trouble they will have dono goo<l—there are lots oi prizes to bo won in future competitions.

For tho prepared reading another excerpt from George Meredith was selected, the passage on "Manhood and purpose" from that delightful book "Richard Feverel." The young lady elocutionists exerted their powers in Tennyson' 6. poem, 'King Out, Wild Bells." Baritones and basses struggled with 1 varying success through the aria "It Is Enough," from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and thereafter the lads paired off with the lassies in a vocal stroll "Down the Vale." The following are the results of the various contests yesterday:—

PIANO SOLO. (Boy or Girl Under 16 Years.) Piano Solo (under 16)— Test piece, "The Harmonious Blacksmith," Handel. First prize, silver medal; second prize, bronze medal; third prize, certificate.—Entrans —Marjorie Palmer (Featherston), Eglanhna Fay Raywnrd (Wellington), Winifred Shearsby (Wangamii), Albert Edward Tremain 0\ ellington), JJarjorie Huia Shepherd (Wellington), H. P. Briasoo (Napier), Henry Lewis Boock (Wellington), Mollie Moore (Carterton), Eva Doris M'Konzie (|^fnii e virke), Matthew Tarrant Dixon (IVellington), .Leopold Edward von Keisenb;rg (Masterton). Selected for final test—Miss Rayward and Master Koircjiberg. Final test—Miss Elantina Rayward, Wellington, 1 (132 marks); Loopold E. von lveisonberg, 2 (132 marks). In this class the winner (said Mr. Gregson) suffered from loss of memory on ono occasion and lost' points on that account, but was pretty sound on most of j IPoinls-slio had colour and good style. The second prizc-winuer was not so accurate. He. struck a lot of wrong notes—rather a lot' in fact.

Mr. Gregson had been questioned why it was that in the piano recital on Monday last Mr. Bucldey was only given 101 marks. The standard ho took, like that of his friend Mr. Baeyertz, was perfection; what' oiie' might expect liusoni, 1 aehmann, or Paderewski to attain, but even those great artists might fall short and lose a few points in being judged on the two pieces. That Mr. -Buckley- had scored so many was creditable as every mark after 150 (three-parts perfection) had to be literally dragged from them.

VIOLIN SOLO. (Boy or Girl Under 1G Tears.) - Vf alin Solo (under 16)— Test pieco, "Barcarodo" in U, Spohr. First prize, silver medal; second prize, bronze modal; thiru prize, certificate. Entrant—Claude Harris (Wellington). ' Only ono of tho two entrants faced tho music. _ Mr. Gregson said that Claude Harris s tone was a little deficient in colour, his bowing and phrasing were by no means perfect, but he gave a fairly good all-round performance. Ho was awarded a first prize. SACRED BARITONE SOLO. "It Is Enough," Sacred Baritone Solo—Test Piece, "It Is Enough" (Elijah). First prize, £2; second prize, XI j third prize, certificate — Entrants—l. \ . Blandtord (Wellington), «. Godlrey (Wellington), G. C. Hood (ls*,v , J • 1 • Jones 'Wellington), R. S Maloney (Christchurch), E. B. L. Ileado (Melrose), \\. Goudio (Wellington), T. M. Charters (Christchurch), C. G. CnambDrs (Wanganui), J. A. Dohertv (Wellington), A. 11. Robins (Wellington), F. \V Laycock (Brooklyn),- It. Bishop (Welling-'. ■S n '' orr (Lower Hutt), G. S. Davidson (Wellington), L. C. Travers. (Wellington), D. V. Lillicrap (Wellington), If. \ oung (Mastcrton), A. (i. Thompson

Selected for final test—Messrs. C. G. Cha.mbers, Wauganui, J. A. Doherty, of Wellington, ana It. It. Orr, Lower Hutt. Honourable mentions"—F. 0. Blandford, R. S, iMaloaey, and A. u. Tliomnbon, 1

At tho conclusion of the section in the alternoon the judge recalled Mr. Blatid- ■ • i f! ng agaiu ' and subsequently explained that ho found it necessary now and again to refresh his memory of a performance. As the section proceeded mo standard of criticism was apt to riss or frdl .a little—henco ■ tho recall. , l A lna ' Wellington, 1 »/SoS S L\ .» G ' t ' l3ftmb e r s, Wauganui, j (129 marks); R. R. Urr, Lower Hutt, 3 (120 marks). ' .Tho judge stated that they had been ,?°! ue ,, ver y Botrf; readings of'this \ery difficult solo, llio winner had a littie tremolo, his tones wero not always quite strong enough and there was a lack ol janety. Still, ho did very well gen0 second prize-winner was a little sharp and lacked breadth and dignity, lie had nico quality and san" with good fooling. The third prize-win. ner s diction was not as good as it should