COMPETITIONS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 48, 20 November 1919, Page 5

COMPETITIONS

FINAL DAY OF SECTIONS

BIG CHOIR TEST NIGHT

Yesterday saw the final sections of tho ■Wellington Competitions Society's programme concluded, and after last evening's performance nothing remains but the three demonstration nights, and tho children's matineo on Saturday afternoon, when tho pick of the juniors will be heard in the items which have won them prizes during the last fortnight, heedless to say last evening saw the biggest house of the season, the attract tion being the choir contest, which proved highly interesting. Tho results are as follow:— Vocal Duet (Ladies). Open Class. Own Selection. First prize, ,£1; second 10s. Final —Misses Doris and Marjorio Clarke, Wellington, "Venetian Boat Song," 13G points, 1; Hisses V. Newman and Mona Castle, "It Was a Lover and His Lass," 132 points. 2; Jliss Alice M'Kion and Mrs. Patterson, Wellington, "May Day Morn," 127 points, 3. Operatic Solo (Gentlemen). Open Class. First prize, trophy <£2 25.; 6eeond. ,£1 Is. Recalls—Mr. P. L. Brady, Wellington, "E'en Bravest Heart"; Robert Lafferty, Christchurch, "She Alone Charmeth Sly Sadness;" Mr. ,T. P. Dodds. Danncvirke, "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes." Final—J. P. Dodds, Danncvirke, 138 points, 1; Kobert Lafferty, Christchurch, 131 points, 2; P. L. Brady, 131 points, 3. Quartet, unaccompanied. Open Class. Oiwn Selection. Final—Mrs. Beauclianip, Miss Strickland, Messrs. Fogarty and Rcade, "Sweet 'and Low," 112 points. !>. Only entry. No first prize allotted. Male Voice Quartet, unaccompanied. Open class. Own selection. Final—Harmonic Quartet, Wellington, "0, Peaceful Night," 1-10 points, 1; Bar wera Quartet, "Lost Chord," 131 ponits, 2.- Only competitors. Action Song, boy or girl under 9. Not in costume. First prize, trophy, 10s. 6d.; second, ss. Final—Alice Chapman, Christchurch, "Tho Bird's Song," 191 points (-13 for action), 1; Meg. Cimino, Wellington, "Wee, Wee Marie,"'lß6 points M 2 for fiction), 2; Master Laurence Searlc, Wellington, "Tho Big Brown Bear," 182 points (41 for action), 3. In this class tho judge (Mr. Harold ■ Gregson) said that Miss Chapman had jriven a delightful performance qf "The Bird's Song." She visualised the scene wonderfully well—one could actually ko the bird and the pussy eat after it. She sang very prettily. She was almost in tune—as nearly as a child of such tender yeai-3 could be. Little Mi? 3 Cimino, who was given s°eond place, is really very clever, and has a freedom on . the stogo that is denied many adult performers. Her actions were good, and her dancing, too, but she danced a little too much. Tho judge disapproved of the class of song "given to her to sin?. Such songs should not be given to little children. There were nny number of beautiful scngs for children without giving them such songs as this little girl was asked to sing. Tenor Solo. Own selection. First prize, tronhv. .£1 Is.; second, 10s. Final—Moutaguo Gillmoro (only entry), 126 points, 1. Action Recitation, hoy or girl, not in costume. Own sfllect'on. Marks awarded for action. Properties, permitted: First prize, trophy, 10s.; second, trophv. ss, Final—Elva Cameron, ITatnitai, "Days of tlie Week," 72 points, 1; Nancye Low, I'unedin, "The Minuet" 71 points. 2; Laurence Searle, "Tlimitations of Youth." and Marie Macarthy, Miramar, "Tho Three Boars," 70 points, 3. ' Children's Action Song, Final—Lyall Bay Preparatory School, lot points, 2. No first prize allotted. Only one entry. , New Zealand Test Recital, for ladies, Final—Miss Bessie Thomson, Dunedin, 80 points for test,"B-1 for own salection, 1; Miss Fanny ICutner, 78 for test, 81 own selection, 2; Miss Mabel Gallichan, 77 for test; 80 for own selection, 3. Highly con.V mended, Mm. Forsyth, Masterton, 79 for test, 73 own selection. Humorous Song, in Character. Pinal—Mr. P. L. Brady, Wellington, "The Bassoon," 179 points, 1. New Zealand Test Recital, for gentlemen.

Filial—Mr. Lionel Inch, 78 points for test, 77 own selection, 1; Mr. L. H. .T. Power, 79 points test, 74 own selection, 2; Clmrlcs Burnett, VAucklnnd, 75 ■ points test, 7G own selection, 3. Piano Dnet, between 13 and 16 years. Final—lCatie Boffa awl Douglas AVhite. "Tarantella ,"*l3O pointe, lj Norman and Keith Geary, "Impromptu a la Ilongroise," 12(5 points,' 2. Comedietta. Final: Miss Doris Stevens and party, in "The Best Cure," 78 points, 1; Mies OI»a Wacked and party, in "The Rest Cure," 76 points,' 2; "The Burglar," 74 ( points, 3. Special Prize. J[r. John Hopkins, in making (his announcements, said that) the special prize : for the best individual performance 1 in ( dramatic sections had been awarded to . Miss Fanny Kutncr for her excellent work in the Dickens sketch, "Miss , Mowchcr." , Choir Contest. j Afcsley (Taranaki Streeii) Choir, 153 j points for test, IG2 points for own 6.slec- ; tion, 1. St. Mary of tho "Angels Choir, 158 t points for test, 157 points for own eclec- , tion, 2. Methodist) (Lower Hutt) Choir, 148 points.for test, 151 for own selection, 3. St, John's Choir, 14-t points for test, 145 points for own selection, 4. Scottish Cliqir, no points announced, 5. eveningTerformance CHOIR CONTEST WON BY WESLEY CHOIR, Being tiho night of the big choir contpst for tho Begg Challenge Shield, tho Town Ilall was well tilled by tho tinio tho progTammo commenced, and there was in the air a sensation of pleasurable excitement engendered by anticipation of tihe finals that weie to bo decided and on which hung tho vocal and elocutionary championships of the 1919 Computations. The programme oppned with a bevy of children from tho Lyall Bay Preparatory School singing tho action song "Pelorus Jack," which was most comically acted. In tho pianoforto a-uot lor children between the ages of 13 and It) years, Miss KatioBotfa and Master Douglas White played a bright "Tarantella," and Masters Kormaii and Keith Geary plnyod "Impromptu a la Hongroise," very well for such small performers. Tho pianoforte then gave place to the elocutionary test for ladies (open class). Miss Mabel Galliclian recited with line spirit and clear enunciation "A Song of War," a moving poem bused on the late conflict of ■ nations. Miss Fanny Kutncr selected : the dramatic potion scene from "Romeo . and Juliet," which was delivered with : a good deal of tragic intensity. For | strong emotional appeal Miss Bnssio I Thomson (of Dunedin) took high lionj ours in the recital of Whiltier's "The Sisters." She gave clear ideality to the two characters represented, and made an irresistible appeal lo the heart. Mr. P. L. Brady and Miss Read contributed character son:*,, and tho former also sang "E'en Bravest Heart" (from Gounod's "Fausl'') in the operatic section for male voices. Mr. J. P. Dodds, of Dannevirke, selected "Vesta la Quibba," from "I Paglmeei," a difficult fong for all save the finished artist. Mr. ; Dtxlds was fully seized of the emotional ! demands of the number, and save for n | lmskiness in the lower register, gave | a very acceptable reading of tho aria. I Tn the final elocutionary test for gen- ! t'.cmen, the competitors recited "Reinai's •Speech to the Ito'.nnnf" 'Mitfordl. Thc=e i were Messrs. Lionel Inch, Charles Bur- , iictt. nnd L. H. .T. Power. For power, | emphasis, and general effect the last- ! named competitor was the most effective, i and it was unfortunate that he forgot the opening words, and had to be prompted by tho judge. Then came the choirs. The Scottish Choir, une.or .Mr. A. M Nelson, led off with llin te-l chorus, "Be Not Afraid." from "Elijah." The choir was a trifle unsteadv in opening, the general tone was inclined to coarseness, and throughout I thero ivas an entire lack of light and shade. Tho choir was much bettor suited in "Tho Auld Hooss." • Tho approach. was much better, and all were

obviously more at homo than in the "Eliiah" number. Tho Scotch chorus found them in better tune and tone, but right through ono of tho contraltos with a strong metallic tone obtruded noticcably. • , . The Wesley (Taranaki Street) Choir, under Mr. 11. Tomplo White, took tho "Bliiah" number much more briskly than their predecessors; thero was good tone and attack, even phrasing, and a bright tone, produced with stimulating security. This choir's "own selection,' "Wean- Wind of the West," proved a cool, refreshing contrast to tho fiery admonition conveyed in "He Not Afraid, and its interpretation was notable for commendable modulation, delicacy of treatment, good articulation, antf a fine exDosition of almost perfect shading at tlhn end.

The Methodist Church Choir (Lower Hutt). under Mr. R. Y. Shearer, proved to be a lusty body, who sang the chorus with, plenty of spirit, but was not remarkable for refinement of tone. The male .voices out-balanced the ladies, the contralto section being on the weak side. The choir has a fine foundation of bassos.

In the "own selection," "Come May, with all thy Flowers," was much better sung. Tho contraltos were unsteady and off tho pitch in their solo passage, but again tho malo voiccs were excellent, and some nice shading made the number quito an cnjoyablo'one. St. Mary's of tho Angels (Boulcott Street) Choir, under Mr. E. J. Healey, exhibited a fine tone body ,in tho "Elijah" number, the ladies' voices particularly strong, even, in places, to a point that bordered on stridency. Thero was good balance, sound tenor and bass sections, and there was a commendublo heartiness in their attack and sustension of full-bodied tone. For purely vocal power St. Mary's were well ahead of all others. In Weber's "Sanctus" and "Benedictus," the choir selected a _ very difficult, all-demanding number, in which the choir showed a pood deal of resource. Some of tho delicate work in tho "Benedictus," where the choir is divided in the lighter harmonic passages, was particularly well • done. St. John's Choir, under Mr. W. E. Kerry, gavo a spirited rendering of the "Elijah", number,-and were pleasingin a very subdued and tender rendering of the part song, "O Peaceful Night." In commenting on the choir test the judge (Mr. Harold Gregson) said that tho contest had been a very enjoyable one, and had resulted in a "close go." So close that the second prizo winners had been the first prize winners in the test, but tho winners had 6corod Ixitter in their own selection, which was the finest bit of part song singing ho had heard for a very long time. He then gave out the results (as above), but thought it advisable not to announce the points awarded tho last choir (tho Scottish). Mr. Gregsou also thanked the committee for the help that had been accorded him. paid a tribute to the eood work done by the stage director (Mr. M'Lachlan). and praised tho splendid accompanying of Mr. Harold Whittle.' whose forvices ho hoped would be available for many competitions in the future. Mention was also made of the admirable spirit which had prevailed all through among the competitors, many of whom had. turned up time after time, .knowing that they would bo beaten. An improvement was noticeable all round, especially among tho ladies and children, and he hoped that would continue. (Applause.)