TAIERI COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 16

TAIERI COMPETITIONS

SEVENTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL The opening scwnon of the Taien Competitions Festival was attended by u Jargo audience, over which Rev. E. P. Y. Simpson presided, on Saturday afternoon. The president (Rev. J. N. Goodman) introduced the chairman. Several letters of congratulation from former judges and supporters wished the festival every success. At the evening session the attendance was not quite so large, when Adjutant Crichton presided. The judges are: Vocal, choirs, violin, and piano, Mr G. E. Wilkinson'; elocution and playettes, Miss Ngata Buswell; one-act plays, Mrs F. Wakefield Holmes; national dancing, Mrs J. A. Casey; stage dancing. Miss Jan The official accompanist (vocal and instrumental) is Miss Westland, and official pipers, Pipers H. M'Kenzie and N. Stratton. The. committee consists of the president /the Rev. J. N. Goodman). Messrs A, F. Cheyiie. W. Campbell, S. Dyer, J. W. Johnston, B. Ewart, S. W. Osborne (treasurer), E. J. Mason (secretary). A. H. Cooke (auditor). Tne following were the, results of Saturday’s sessions, together with tho comments of the judges;— Song, boys and girls (9 and under 12 years)—Arthur Holmes 1, Murray Edmond 2, Hilary Mason and Joan M'lnnes (equal) 3. Also competed: Eudrey Edmond, Bruce M'Gregor, Beverley Wix, Kenneth Goodey, Beverley Swallow. This class was an interesting one. Good tone (production was heard, and some artistic interpretations. The lad who gained, first place had nicely-produced head notes. Song, boys and girls (under nine rears)— June Tregilgus and Neville Madden (equal) 1, John Mason 3. The voices heard were promising, but in most instances lacking in tho use oi the head voice. Dipthongs and final consonants wore faulty. _ School Choir, 12 voices, two-part Kon rr—Green Island School 1, Wylie’s Crossing School 2. The only competi- 1 tors. It was gratifying to find a small school entering into this with enthusiasm. XJnifortunatiGly, triG sglgc* tion was somewhat beyond them. Tone duality in both cases was pleasing, but nnv sign of forcing must be avoided. Tb’e winners were well balanced and effectively controlled. Attack and release were good. , ■ Sono- (girls 12 and under lo years) Dorotiiv Mutch 1. Rene Lopine 2, Glenna Smith and Lois Ryan (equal) J. Tone was fair, but vowels were not good. The winner, though handicapped by a cold, eave a pleasing and thoughtful Tendering. Som? (hoys 12 and under 16 years)— Blair Thomson 1. W. M'Cunn 2. Also competed: Tom Mutch. It was a, delight to find some good work in tins class—better production on tho whole tlran that of the girls. The winner had some telling head notes, but in an attempt to gain fortes was inclined to force. Singers must endeavour to maintain pitch. The general standard was good. ' ' Recitation (under 9 years)— Neville Madden 1, June Tregilgus 2. Margaret Finnie 3. ALo comneted: Ronald fobb, Velma Lebb. Shirley Finnic. 7ona Astburv. This was a good, see. tion The winner gave a surprisin' "ood interpretation of Kiph’ n ' T ’s ‘lf ’ for so vonng a performer. Tho other +>'-e nlaeed competitors are both promising. TJecifaßon (0 c"d under 11 rears) Hilprv Mason 1. Esme Garland 2. Ken Goofier 3. The winner had a good understanding of her piece, and gave a bright performance. RipeitaGon. humorous (under _ 12 r« ars >—Ree-Rs for Tuesday evening: Margaret Finnic, June Tregilgus. NeviMe Madden. Yerv highly eommended : Velma Lobb n"d June Annleir'ito. Also eonippted • Afa ell nn - Md. Ronald Le'-b, RbiHoy Finnic, BeiH Tunzelmon. Kenneth Goodey. and Audrey Edmond. An excellent seeRecitation (11 and under 14 years)— Glenna Smith 1, June Applegate 2. Audrey Edmond and Olive Scott 3 (equal). Also competed : Mavis MacDonald, Betty Tunzelman, Jessie Brown, and Gordon Pine. The winner was an, excel lent performer, with distinct personality. The second placed competitor, also promising, gave a sympathetic rendition. The, two tied competitors were also of a high standard in their work.

Recitation (14 and under 18 years)— Nessi'e Holland 1, Winnie Johston 2, Jaok Miller 3. The only competitors. The competitor placed first gave a sincere and sympathetic performance of ‘ Sherwood.’ The other competitors also gave good performances. Piano Duet (11 and under 15 rears) —Patricia M'Evoy and Elaine Robinson 1, Betty Allan and Hazel Watt 2. Joan Gibson and Merle Gibson 3. Also competed: Glenn a Smith and Blair Thompson, Rene Lepine and Lois Ryan, June Valpy and Audrey Edmonds. An outstanding fault in this section was lack of cohesion. Balance on the whole was fair. The winners' effort was marked by thoughtful expression and artistry. Piano Duct (under 11 years)—Lorraine Graham and Rae Beatson 1. The only competitors. The only pair of competitors played well. Balance and tone quality were good, and rhythmic How and expression were nicely brought out. Piano Solo (12 and under 14 years) —Patricia M'Evoy 1, Glenna Smith and Elaine Robinson (equal) 2, Helen Logie 4. Also competed: Blair Thomson, Joan Gibson, Noeline Fox. There was wide variation of attainment in this class. The winner, however, gave a crisp, clean and fluent performance of her selection and deserved her place. Piano Solo (under 10 years)— Nancye O’Fee 1, Irene Graham 2. Hugh Gordon , Ivory and Hilary Mason (equal) 3. Also competed: June Tregilgns. Some fair work was heard in this section, the winner capturing the spirit of her selection, ‘ In a Gondola,’ and giving an artistic performance. Piano Solo (10 and under 12 years!— Robert Fursdon 1, K. Kenyon 2, Merle Gibson 3. Also competed; June Valpy. Audrey Edmaiid, Joan Logic, Thelma Kollv, Trevor Tregilgns. Tone quality on the whole was good, hut more contrast expression was needed. Accented notes wore apt to he predominant. The winning performer gave a rhythmic and expressive rendition. Piano Solo (14 and under 16 years)— Rosalie Plank 1, Joy Wylie 2, Lorna Oliver 3. The only competitors. This was a good section, but competitors must, where necessary, maintain steadiness. Shading off of cadences could have been better. The winner played two contrasted short pieces and entered in a telling manner into the mood of each.

This evening's session will he ocenpied with aetinn duet in character, under 15 years; niano solo. 16 and under I 1? rears; eharaeter sketch, under 16; playette (limit of sir players), under 12 rears; aetien song in character, nndcr 12 ’-".us; pl-yeHo (limit of six pinver c '. 1° n "d nndev 16 's n;lr^. (ton (’l"””e-o"sl . 1° nPfl in roar*; " : '”io duel 1“ and nn-i-p l<3 yea-s; •• r■ tio ll song i n character, 12 and under 15 years.