TAIERI COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22453, 25 September 1936, Page 5

TAIERI COMPETITIONS

FOURTH SESSION OF FESTIVAL The fourth session of the Taieri Competitions Festival attracted the largest audience last night that has assembled since the opening on Saturday. _ The hall was packed, and the committee had a very full programme. No doubt the three specialties on the ■ list—pipe music, plays, and stage dancing—created a wider support. Mr Wheeler (president of the Otago Piping and Dancing Association) was present, and showed a special interest in this section. The majority of the competitors in the tap and stage dancing were from outside the Mosgiel district. The programme did not conclude until shortly after 1 a.m., when one of- the judges, ascending the stage to give the results greeted the audience with “ Good morning, everybody,” amidst applause. The one-act plays were judged by Mrs F. Wakefield Holmes, the stage dancing by Miss C. Potts, and the piping by 3Jir John Thompson. ■ The awards announced last night were as follow : PIPE MUSIC. MARCH (Novice). Ten entries. Piper Graeme Sutherland ... 1 Piper W. A. Gordon 2 Piper W. Blackie 3 The judge stated that the first placed competitor’s deportment was faulty in marching. His finger work w y as excellent, and his expression good. He had the makings of an outstanding piper. MARCH (Junior). Eleven entries. Piper Ken. R. Christiansen 1 Piper Allan Ross 2 Piper G. Sutherland 3 Piper Christiansen showed good expression, and his pipes were good, but his marching was faulty. There was very little difference in merit between the first and second prize-winners. Mr Thompson expressed delight at the standard of the piping in general, and said it augured well for the future of pipe music locally. ELOCUTION. RECITATION, Humorous .(Adults). Three entries. Miss M. Swallow 1 Miss M. Smellie 2 , -Miss N. Young ... ... ... 3 The judge said the winning piece could have been shorter. The acting was good and quite convincing, if a little too fast in places. RECITATION, Not Humorous. Three entries, M iss M. Smellie 1 Miss M. Swallow 2 Miss N. Young 3 Hiss Smellie showed a well-controlled, good voice, and created a good atmosphere and painted the picture well. The finish was most effective and well done.

CHARACTER SKETCH. Two entries. Miss N. Young 1 Miss M. Swallow ... 2 Miss Young’s costume was good. Her face was too young, hut the voice good. The Scotch dialect was very good indeed, and the sketch suited the competitor. DRAMA SECTION. One-act play, seven entries. The following three, of the seven were staged on Tuesday night:—North Taieri Bible Class, No. 2 Aunt Deborah), East Taieri Tennis Club (‘Mrs Ogbody Obliges ’i. North Taieri Bible Class, No. 1 (‘The Old Bull’). The others staged last night were:— Green Island Women’s Institute (‘ Far, Far Away ’), Brighton Women’s Institute (‘The Rest Cure’). Green Island Women’s Institute (‘ Sanctuary ’), Mosgiel Women’s Institute (‘ Bobby Settles Down’). The first award was divided between North Taieri Bible Class, No. 1 (‘ The Old Bull’), and Green Island Women's Institute (‘The Sanctuary’). STAGE DANCING. TAP DANCE, under 9. Three entries. Joan Keen 1 B. Fletcher 2 Keith Sudden d

TAP DANCE, 9 and under 12. Five entries. Betty Keen ... 1 Joan Townrow 2 Barbara Fraser 3 OPERATIC DANCE, under 9. Five entries. Joan Keen 1 Betty Fletcher _. ... 2 Hilary Mason and Nancy Byrne (equal) ... ... 3 OPERATIC DANCE, 9 and under 12. Four entries. Joan Townrow 1 Betty Keen 2 Mona Morrison 3 Miss' Potts considered the standard of the dancing very good, but was disappointed at the entries, especially the small number of local .ones. SPECIAL PRIZES. Special prize presented by the Barth School of Music to the local competitor with highest marks in piano solo classes: Miss Hilda Crozier. Special prize presented by the Barth School of Music to the local competitor with highest marks in piano duet classes divided between Misses Noela Borrow, Phoebe Mitchell, and Clarice Wvlie.