COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1612, 2 December 1912, Page 6

COMPETITIONS.

FINAL DEMONSTRATION NI6HT. FESTIVAL SUMMED UP. PBONOUNCED SUCCESS ALL BOUND. Tho big .Town. Hall was crowded on Saturday evening to witnoss tho final "demonstration" by tho successful competitors who have taken part in the New Zealand Competitions Society's Festival, I which came to an end at 11 p.m. It is satisfactory to know that the festival has been a distinct success from every point of view. Although there has not beon so many individual "stars" as was the case last year, yet in many of tho sections—particularly in tho- ladies' vocal classes—tho standard has been more uniformly high. The judge (Mr. Sidney Wolf) remarked tl\at in one or two classes the standard of vocalism was higher than had been the case in any i\;hich he had ever judged. The competitions have certainly disclosed talent in. unexpected places, and it has been commonly remarked among local concert-goers that they we're not aware that there was so much vocal talent in Wellington as has been shown at the festival this year. The concert on Saturday evening was long and wonderfully diversified. Miss V. Bam ford,' of Nelson, who has given much pleasure by reason of the high degree of artistry which illumines her work, sang Eubinstein's uncommon song "Azta," and "Hear Ye, Israel." In Miss Baraford's case the voice is inclined to weakness, but the 6pirit is ever so willing, and the young lady simply radiates temperament. Master Pankhurst, a delightful boy soprano, sang "Little Pilgrim" to the delight of everyone. His success engenders wonder that the boy soprano is not more commonly heard on the concert platform. Master Varnham, of Wellington, is one who should not hide his light. Miss Bennett and Mr. Allwright 'sang the duet "Snowflakes" charmingly, and Mr. A. M'DonaM (of Christchureh) sang "The March of the Cameron Men" very tunefully. Mrs. P. Lewis, of Wanganui (the champion lady vocalist) was not in good form. She, sang "My Own Land," sharpening Tather badly towards the end. Mr. Stanley Bankin was heard to advantage in the monologue "A Bunch of Boses." Miss Coralie Stanley was pertly pleasing as "Marie Louise," and Miss G. M. Stoneham (the Chappell grand winner) played Chopin's "Grand Polonaise in A Flat" most artistically. ■ . •

Again the "hit" of the evening was made by Cecile Haines, whose abundant sense of comedy found expression in "A Trip to Blackpool" and "People Wo Meet at the Competitions." Miss Pauline Brown, a charming and talented young lady from Otaki was heard in the musical monologue "In the Crowd," and Master Fergus Reeves infuse'd "go" and not a little' character into "The Kid." Mr. J. Culford Bell (champion elocutionist) is an artist whom.one does not tire of. He made three appearances—in "Fagin's Last Night," "pthfillo's Defence,".and with Miss Lissack, in the comedietta "A Piece of Nonsense," capitally acted. Miss Betty Purdom was seen once more as the distraught "Ophelia," Miss Hazel Jeffery recited cleverly an unpalatable bit of verse, Mr. Zante Wood pattered humorously; Miss Marie Fix was Queen . Katherine ("Henry VIII") again,. and' Mr. Alan M Elwain repeated his clever imitations to the delight of the huge audience. Others who performed were Miss Brittain and Maud Remington, Messrs. E. H. SI ortt, Percival Martin, Girdlestone, and the Orpheus Quartet. Mrs. Queree accompanied delightfully. Dr, Izard Sums Up. Half-way through the programme Br. Arnold Izard, president of the sor.iety, stated, in the course of a brief speech, that in closing , the competitions he would 'like to take the opportunity of letting'the public know that the oompetiions of 1912 had been both a financial and artistic success, ' and that they would be repeated in October next year. November was found to be not so convenient, as it was too near the school examinations, and they-heped to overcome the opposition of the schoolmasters to these competitions, and see a great many, more children entering next year. He thanked the judges (Messrs. Wolf, Montaguo; Cohen. Clarke, and the Rev. Father Hickson), Mrs. Q.ueree, who had made a delightful accompanist, Mr. Alan M'Elwain, the capable and gifted, stajre manager, whom they hoped to have with them for many years—(Applause)— and Mr. Jas. Dykes and his assistant, Mr. Ronald Lyon, the energetic and courteoussecretarial staff. ■ He then announced the following list of special prize-winners.— The "Star" of 1912. During the evening Mr. James Djkes (secretary) announced that he had already received twenty entries for the next year's competitions. (Applause.) He also stated that he had received a letter from Mrs. Haines, stating that her daughter (little Cecile Haines) .had won three medals. She would accept one, which could be inscribed with her three wins. The other two she asked the committee to f ccept, to be awarded at next year's competitions for two' classes—one for boys and one for girls attending State schools'(for elocution), who have not had instruction from a professional teacher, the test- pieces to be learned in school, under the schoolteacher. SPECIAL PRIZES. A LONG LIST. ' Instrumental Section. F. J. Pinny, Ltd.—.£l2s Grand Chappell Piano for champion pianist—Miss G. M. Stoneham, Dunedin. . • British and Continental Piano Co.— Trophy value 3 guineas for winner of piano solo, under 21-Miss P. P. Hanify, Wellington. Preston and Co.-Trophy value 2 guineas for winner of concerto—Miss Harper and Miss Barker, Christchurch. A. H. Turnbull, Esq.—Trophy value 2 guineas to most talented pianist performing in the amateur sections—Miss Mitchell, Auckland. ' ' Mrs. A. M. Montague.—Bound volume of Beethoven's sonatas to competitor scoring highest marks in pianoforte competition (champion piano solo excluded) —Miss Hanify, Wellington. Vocal Section. "New Zealand Times."—Gold medal for champion gentleman vocalist—Mr. A. M'Donald, Christchurch. "New Zealand Times."—Gold medal for champion lady vocalist—Mrs. P. Lewis, Wanganui. W. Littlejohn and Son.—Trophy value 5 guineas for champion vocalist—Mrs. P. Lewis, Wanganui. H. G. Mayer, Esq.—Gold medal for competitor scoring highest combined marks in the national songs (Sections 3i and 35)— Mr. A. S. Thompson, Nelson. Sharland and Co.—Klito magazino camera, value .£3 IDs., for champion tenor volist—Mr. H. Plfipps, Wellington. Thomson, Lewis and Co.—Trophy value 2 guineas for best performer in sacred sections—Mr. Vincent Lewis, Wellington. J. A. Doherty, Esq.—Trophy value 1 guinea for best performance in musical monologues. —Miss P. Browne, Mr. Rankin, equal. Harrington's N.Z., Ltd.—Camera valned 2 guineas, for champion lady vocalistMrs. P. Lewis, Wanganui. R. W. Armit, Esq.—Trophy value 2 fuiueas to champion gentleman vocalistMr. A. M'Donnld, Christchurch.

George Nee, Esa —Trophy value 1 guinea for the best performance in sections'for vocalists who have never received a fee Qortiesl-Miss Blanch Clark, Bulls. R. Holiday, Esq.—Trophy value 1 guinea foT tho best performance in sections for vocalists who have never received n fee (eontlemn.ii)—Mr. E. H. Shortt, Wellington.

Stewart Dawßon nnd Co.—Trophy value 1 guinea to competitor (lady or gentleman) who gains hie'iest marks in any solo sinjrine section—Miss V. I. Bamford. Nelson.

Conlls, Culling and Co.—Trophy value 1 guinea for vocalist obtaining highest marks for pronunciation nnd enunciation fnnampion rocnlist oarred)—Mrs. Ivo Synies, Wnnsamii. Prank Shaw; Esq.—Tronhy value 1 guinea for hjst nerformer in son? nce"rppatiied bj- self—Mr. A. S. Thompsoa, Nelson. Qua, Bffig e?4. Gs^>MWrmmM

challenge shield for champion ohurch. choir—Grafton Road Choir, Auckland. Frank J. Oakes, Esq.—Gold medal to conductor of choir scoring the highest marks for expression and enunciation in tho test pieces in the choir contest—Mr. E. J. Gotland, Grnfton. Wellington Woollen Co.—Potone travelling rug for conductor of winning choir.— Mr. E. J. Gatlaud, Grafton Road. J. J. Curtis and Co., Ltd.—Trophy value 1 guinea to conductor of winning primary school choir—Mt. Cook School. Elocution Section, Wellington Savages' Club.—Gold mednl for champion lady elocutionist—Miss Betty Pimlom, Wellington. Wellington Savage Club.—Gold medal for champion gentleman elocutionist—Mr. J. Culford Bell, Wellington. Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd.—Trophy I vnluo 2J guineas for champion lady elocutionist— Miss Purdom, Wellington. Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd.—Trophy value Zh guineas for champion gentleman elocutionist —Mr. J. C. Bell, Wellington. Kodak, Australasia, Co.—Camera (Kodak) value- £a 17s. Cd. to most versatile elocutionist—Mr. J. C. Bell, Wellington. R. and E. Tingey.—Trophy value 2 1 guineas for best individual performer in (lady or gentleman)— Mr. J. C. Bell, Wellington. Whitcombo and Tombs.—Books to value of 2 guineas to winner of Right reading (lady or gentleman)— Mr. J. C. Bell, Wellington. W. H. Bartlott, Esq.—Trophy value 2 guineas for most humorous performance in elocution section—Mr. Zanto Wood, Wellington. W. A. Flavell, Esq.—Trophy value 1 guinea for best performance in elocution restricted classes (lady or gentleman)— Miss Marie Fix, Wellington. W. H. Atack, Esq.—Trophy value 1 guinea to best Wellington Province performer (lady) iu elocution—Miss Purdom, Wellington. J. A. Chapman, Esq.—Trophy value 1 guinea to most promising performer in elocution under IG—Miss Cecilo Haines, Wellington. Dramatic Section, S. and W. Mackay.—Books to value of 3 guineas for best individual performance in comedietta or charactor sketch—Mr. J. C. Bell, Wellington. J. .F. Atkins, Esq.-rTropliy value 2 guineas to competitor scoring highest marks for make-up and costume in any dramatic section—Mr Sidney Tingey, Wollington. Oratory and Debate. Stewart Dawson and Co.—Silver challenge Shield for winner of impromptu debate-Catholic Club, Wellington. C. N. Baeyertz, Esq. ("Triad").—Trophy .value 3 guineas for best indivi'dual work in impromptu speech or debate—Mr. Mazengarb, Wellington. Father Hickson—Trophy value 1 guinea to winner of prepared speech—Mr. A. L. .Treadwell, Wellington. Hon. T. W. Hislop.—Trophy value 1 guinea to winner of impromptu speech (ladies) —Miss Coad. G. Aldous, Esq.—Trophy valuo 1 guinea to winner of impromptu speech (gentlemen)— Mr. Mazengarb.