TAIERI COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 18

TAIERI COMPETITIONS

There was not a vacant seat in tin Coronation Hall, Mosgiel, last even ing when the 1935 competitions lest: val was brought to a close with r demonstration concert and the choir; contest. The Rev. Hugh Graham presided, and he had a busy evening staging the items on a lengthy programme. Great interest was centred in the choirs contest, which was won by the North Taieri Choir, with cine point ahead of Mosgiel Anglican. The shields, trophies, and prizes were ■ presented' at intervals throughout the evening. The concert programme was as follows School choir, Wyllics • Crossing A; piano solo (under 11 years), Miss Esncs Seurle; song (under 11 years), Miss ,) mie .Donaldson ; elocution (ll to 14 years), Miss Agnes Holjand; violin solo (under 13 years), Miss Barbara Henderson; sword dance (under 15 years), Miss Millie Baxter; piano cl net (11 and under 14 years), Misses Jov Wylie and Lorna Oliver; elocution (ladies), M.iss M.‘Sracllic; song for boys (11 and under 16 years). Master Tom Mutch; piano solo (11 and under 14 years), Miss Nook Borrow; elocution, humorous (under 16 years), Miss Agnes Holland; song (gentlemen), Mr J. Stevpns; Highland Fling (under 11 years), Misses Rae Garland and Irene Stoddart; violin sdlo (13 and under 18 years), Master Bill Borrow; elocution (9 and under 11 years), Miss Joan Gibson; piano solo (16 and under 18 years), Miss Hilda Crozier; month organ solo, Mr J. Sutherland; elocution,' humorous (special prize), Miss June Trcgilgus; ladies’ duet (one entry), Misses Owens and Mathesqn (this item was in reality an entry in the vocal duets, for which there was only one entry); tap dance, Misses Millie Baxter, and Peggy-Black; piping . selection, Piper K. Christansen; Irish jig.(under 18 years), Master Jim Flett, Millie. Baxter. Peggy Black; vocal solo (ladies), Miss 0. Findlay; character sketch (under 16 years), Miss June Donaldson; brass duet, Messrs Craigie and W. Campbell; elocution (humorous), Miss Margaret Swallow. . Mrs Borrow was the official accompanist for the performers, and Piper Ghirnside played for the step dancing. Special praise is due to the work of the secretary, Mr E. J. Mason. He had a huge task, but carried out every detail to perfection. CHURCH CHOIR CONTEST. Judge; Mr T. Vernon Griffiths. The choirs competing were as follows :—Mosgiel Presbyterian (conductor, Mr E. C.. Skinner; organist. Miss Hendry): North Taieri (conductor, Revl w. Samson; organist, Mr Smellie) ; East Taieri (conductor. Mr J. A. Borrie; organist, Mr J. M'Bryde) ; Mosgiel Anglican (conductor, Mr L. B. Borrow.; organist,‘Mrs Borrow). The placings were as follow; — North Taieri ... ... 1 Mosgiel Anglican ... - East Taieri, h.c. ■ 1 : , Mosgiel Presbyterian, commended.

The ’ own selection anthems' chosen by the choirs were as follow: —North Taieri. ‘ Jesu, Lamb of God, Redeemer’; Mosgiel Anglican, ‘ 0 Taste and See how Gracious the Lord Is’; East Taieri, ‘ 0 Taste and See how Gracious the Lord Is ’ ; Mosgiel Presbyterian, ‘ Abide With Me.’ .The judge, in his commentary on the choir .work, said the standard was encouragingly high. The choice of music for the anthems in most cases showed musicianly direction. Generally speaking. the balance was satisfactory and the quality of the tone good. _ A notable feature was the good diction. This, however, could always bo improved on. Some of the choirs tended to give a rather square-cut rendering of the hymn, though they all endeavoured" to show some contrasts. In the anthems some, specially careful work bad been done, and musicianship of a quite sensitive order was apparent in the work of the winning choir and that of the second one, which was onlv inferior by one point. Referring to the work of the juniors in the earlier sessions, the judge said he was. pleased particularly with the instrumental work. He hoped at next competitions more candidates would present themselves. Their playing showed careful tuition on behalf of their instructors. The vocal competitions were also pleasing. He advised all young singers to avoid all sense of strain and cultivate a light, natural tone. ONE-ACT PLANS.' Mrs F. Wakefield Holmes, the Judge of tlie drama section, commented on the one-act plays. She said that on the whole she had been very pleased with the work presented, and thought it very creditable to all concerned. At thef outset she spoke of the necessity of team work, so that all' parts, like a picture puzzle, would fit in to make a perfect whole. All taking part should not only maintain interest in their own part blit in all parts right through the play. Mrs Holmes awarded North Taieri Drama Club first prize. Its selection was ‘ The Bathroom Door.’ The award was made principally for its team work. The second placed team staged ‘ The Bride.’ This was a very good performance, and to the lady playing the part of- the bride she awarded the special prize for the actress who gave the best individual performance. ‘ Aunt Lizzie’s Friend ’ was quite a good choice for a cast of women if the players were carefully chosen. The outstanding performance in this play was that of the maid, who was in character right through quite a comedienne. ‘ The Spinsters of Lush ’ was well staged and the dressing was. effective, hut'this performance lost marks through inaudibility. Mrs Holmes, in addition to the comments mentioned, gave helpful advice to the competitors. SPECIAL PRIZES.

Highest aggregate in elocution—Miss June Donaldson.

Local competitor with the _ highest marks in a pianoforte solo—Miss Noel a Borrow.

Local competitors with the highest marks in a pianoforte duet—Misses Alva O’Connell and Beryl Here. Elocution, under nine years—Miss June Tregilgus. _ Junior elocution championship—Miss June Donaldson.

Senior elocution championship—Miss M. Smellie and Mi ss Margaret Swallow (equal). Scholarship for elocution —Master Vincent Kirby, Miss Alice M. Mitchell, and Miss Noeline Campbell. A. novelty item was the mouth organ solo by Mr Sutherland. The recitation by little June Tregillgus calls for special mention. She delighted her hearers immensely with quite a lengthy recitation full of actions and effect.

The committee, which consisted of Rev. Mr Samuda (acting president), Messrs A. P. Chevue. L. B. Borrow, W. Campbell, 11. D. Rogers, F. W. C. Walsleben (hon. treasurer), and E. J. Mason (hon. secretary), are deserving of praise for the manner in which the festival was carried out. They 'also had the willing assistance: of a number of helpers interestedin the festival, which had for its primary object the encouraging of.focal tjaienj.;