COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 125, 20 February 1919, Page 6

COMPETITIONS

MUSIC, SONG AND STORY

POOR MALE VOICE ENTRIES

It is a tribute to the committee of the Wellington competitions to say that the carnival at tho Town Hall is progressing smoothly and satisfactorily to all concerned, and public support is being accorded in a manner that is gratifying to those who have so pluckily initiated the re-establishment of competitions in Wellington.

The following are the results of yesterday's classes:— Recital with musical accompaniment (humorous). Open class. Own selection. —Recalls: Doris Stevens (Wellington), Fanny Kutuer (Wellington), Flo. Gow (Hataitai), K. S. Dillon (Wellington). Commended: Kate Tasker (Wellington), Frederick llargreaves (Gi'Cfjnouith). Piano solo, lady or gentleman. First section—(a) "Etude in E. Major" (Chopin).—Recall.? in this section were not permissible as it was only the first section, and the judges uro asked to find the winners on tho aggregate points scored in two sections.

Operatic solo, contralto. Open class. Own selection—Recalls: Mioses Eva Harris, Mabel S. Dyer, and Mrs. Myrtle Hayward.

Baritone or Bass Solo (own selection).— Recalls—Mr. Percy L. Brady and Mr. Robert Horsloy. Final—Mr. Brady, 122 points, I; Mr. Horsloy, Wanganui, 113, 2. Heading at Sight (prose), lady or gentleman,—Filial—Miss Doris Stevens (Wellington), 134 points, 1; Miss Evelyn R. Aitcheson (Wellington), 129, 2; Mr. Fergus E, Beeves (Wellington), 122, 3. Irish Song (ladies).—Final—Miss Cicely Audibert, 139 points, 1; Miss Eda Snelling, 132, 2; Misß M. Fenton, 127, 3. Character Recitation (9 and under 12).— Final—Miss Ngaire Phipson, 152 points, 1; Miss Betty Menard, 149, 2; Miss Dorothy M'Dowellj 145, 3. Humorous Recitation, ladies, open class (own selection),—Recalls—Mioses Doris Hnlme (Island Bay), Evelyn Aiteheson (Wellington), Norah Lea (Hataitai), Airini Btubbs (Dunedin;. Commended— Misses Fanny Ivutner, Doris, Stevens, Edith Sullivan, Flo. Gow, Iris Trim, Pauline Shotlander, and L. C. Adams. The judge remarked that it was the best class which he had yet had before 'Mm during the present competitions, and ho bad thoroughly enjoyed the work of many of the competitors, as he was quite sure the audience (in the afternoon) Jiad.. The finals of this class will be heard this evening.

Character Darico (12 *ind under 16).— Pinal: Miss Doreen M'Clatchy, 1; Miss Arita Howe, 2. Musical Monologue (humorous).—Final —Miss Kelvin S. Dillon, 158 points, lj Miss Doris Stevens, 156, 2-; Miss Fanny Kutner, 155, 3. Highly Flo. Gow.

Sacred Solo, soprano ov mezzo-soprano (own selection).—Final—Mrs. Myrtle Hayward, 144 points, 1; Miss Cicely Audibert, 143 ; 2; Miss Edith Patcrson, 124, 3. Test Recital, for Indies (own selection and "My Will").—Final—Miss Fanny Kutner, 287 points, 1; .Miss L. C. Adams, 286, 2; Miss Airinj Stubbs, 254, 3.

The Evening Performance. Still another children's ,play, 'The Passing Year," \ras the prelude to last evening's programme. Tho little play was prettily costumed, and the little ones who participated appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly in the brief incursion into the glowing land of makebelieve. There were only two entrants for tho character dance, Misses Arita Home and Doreen M'Clatchy. The latter, who step-danced like a veteran in male evening dress was allotted first prize by Miss Polly M'Laren, and, naturally, the • second money went to the other competitor. The character recitation produced some really clover children, among them Ngaire' Phipsou ("Seem* Tilings"), Hetty Menard (a Mrs. Caudle curtain lecture), Dorothy M'Dowell ("The Bootblack"), and Hazel Hardwicke ("The Limitations of Youth"). Irishsong always makes a,sure, and certain call to any cosmopolitan audience, and the finals in tho section were responsible for some pretty colleens with charming voices. Miss At. Fenton sang "Avourneen" with nice feeling, and Miss Ida Snolling's sympathetic mezzo voice was heard with good effect in "The last Hose of Summer," though the singer was inclined'to take the filial half of the verses a little too slowly. Miss Cicely Audibert, of Christcliurch, whose charming voice is affected by a slight huskincss, more apparent last evening than hitherto,' was heard in "Kathleen Mavounieen." Apart from the natural beauty of her voice, her interpretation of (ho lovely old ballad was somewhat mechanical. The humorous recital, with musical accompaniment, engaged the attention of three maidens and a man, but humour is a rare and" elusive faculty, and if tho audience discovered it in this quartet they were at great pains to conceal it. The "musical accompaniments" in most cases were meaningless vamping, the exception being the effort of Miss Doris Stevens, where "tho music told the story." A further addition to tho procession of stories without words was "In a Railway Train," acted (in dumb show) by Miss Alexa Elton and Mr. L. Inch. In the sacred solo class Miss Audibert, of Christchurcli, selected a most difficult and intensely dramatic song, "The Cry of Rachel," which was a little beyond her capacity. Mrs. Myrtle Hayward's approach, style, and tone found n fitting medium in "0 Divine Redeemer," a solo which severely tested her range. Mrs- Edith M. Paterson sang "Angels Ever Bright and Fair." In this class it seemed as though the entrants had mutually agreed to select songs just,, a trifle beyond their powers of adequate expression. "My Will" was charmingly recited by Juisses L. C. Adams and Fanny Kutner. Tho former is inclined to favour the lachrymose in tone,' in her otherwise graceful and refined work. The programme concluded with the comedietta "Tho FortuneTeller," played by Misses Florence Sander and Ivie Shearer., TO-DAV'S PROGRAMME. To-day's classes include tho following: —Recital with musical accompaniment; piano solo (second section): song in character; Scotch song; "Reel o' Tulloch" dance; junior champion recitation for girls under 16; and the prepared speech.