TAIERI COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23688, 23 September 1940, Page 6

TAIERI COMPETITIONS

EtCHTH ANHUAL FESTIVAL The opening sessions of the annual Taieri competitions were held on Saturday afternoon, and evening in St. Luke’s Hall, in the presence of good attendances on both occasions. As announced by the president (the Rev. W. Edgar), these competitions were a source of education in the finer arts to those participating, and a source of pleasure to patrons. That they were popular was shown by the large number of entries and number of concerts at each festival, compared with that experienced when a commencement was made eight years ago. The Rev. S. G. Read presided at the opening session, and Adjutant Crichton in the evening. The festival, will be continued each night up till Thursday of this week in the Town Hall, and a demonstration concert will be held on October 3. This year’s judges are: Vocal, choirs, violin, and piano, Mr Geo. E. Wilkinson ; elocution and playettes, Miss Ngata Buswell; one-act plays, Mrs Wakefield Holmes; national dancing, Miss R. Warren; stage dancing, Miss 0. Potts. The honorary official accompanist (vocal and instrumental) is Miss Westland; and the honorary official pipers are Messrs R. M'Kenzie and N. Stratton. The following are the results: — AFTERNOON SESSION. Piano Solo (under 10 years).—Nancy O’Fee 1, Irene Graham 2, Silvia Begg 3. Also competed: June Tregilgus, Neville Fursdon, and Keith Harrison.— The judge said the work in this class was only fair. Most of the competitors were suffering from nervousness and inexperience. Recitation (under nine ; years).— Velma Lobb and Dorothy Jones (equal) 1. Ronald Lobb 3. The number of competitors was disappointing, but a high standard was maintained. Piano Solo (10 and under 12 years). —Kathleen Harris 1, Averley Cheyne 2. Hilary Mason 3. Also competed: Claire Beattie, Hugh Ivory, Mabel Bell. —The winner, the judge said, played with very fair expression and good tone. Steadiness must be observed. Song (boys and girls under nine years).—Silvia Begg 1, John Mason and Betty Applegate (equal) 2.—The_ winner’s selection was pleasing, the judge said, and the singer gained a good atmosphere. , Violin Solo (13 and under 18 years). —Miss Blanche Martin 1. The only competitor.—The effort was quite a good one, the judge said, and tone and intonation were satisfactory. Posture should be watched. Piano Duet (under 11 years). —Hilary Mason and Irene Graham 1. Those were the only competitors.—Very fair

balance and tone were Cohesion was good, hut more vital} rhythmic effect was needed for a dancej EVENING SESSION. Adjutant W. B. Crichton presided over a good attendance at the evening session. Piano Solo (12 and under 14 years)’/ —Recalls to Tuesday’s session: Me rid Gibson, Joan Logie, Betty JDavidson, and Betty Stewart. Also competed) Shirley J. Stewart, Audrey Edmoni Kebbel Kenyon, Margaret Law, and June Valpy. Vocal Duet (any voices, under II years).—Blair Thomson and Arthul Berry 1, Noeline Campbell and Beverlej Swallow 2, Jack Geddes and Murraf Edmond 3. Also competed: June TreJ gilgus and John Mason. —The winner! had voices of pleasing quality, the judgd said, but forcing must be guarded against. Their selection was a good one, and their interpretation effective* It was pleasing to find so many boyj competing. Recitation (humorous, under 12 years).—Recalls to Thursday’s session) June Tregilgus, Audrey Geary, Velmd Lobb. Very highly commended: Esma Garland, Also competed: Betty Smellie, Noeline Richardson, Robeiij Green, and Ronald Lobb. Song (Iboys and girls, 9 and undei* Ifl years).—-Joan M‘limes 1, Noelind Campbell 2, Murray Edmond and Jacly Geddes (equal) 3. The winner gave of charming rendering of her song, the judge stated, and showed promise. Thi! was a good section. Piano Duet (11 and under 15 years)* —Averley Cheyne and Merle Gibson Ijj Joan Logie and Kebbel Kenyon 2* Hugh G. Ivory and Gale _ Furdsou S* Also competed: Helen Logie and Jun# Valphyl There was some promising work in this section, marked by good balance and cohesion. The winners had a promising style. Recitation (9 and under 11 years).—* June Tregilgus 1, Joan M'lnnee 2. Hilary Mason 3. This was a very good section, the judge said. The winner had a bright personality and good under* standing of her piece. The competitor placed second had a beautiful voice, *and the third placed had a good idea of dramatic values. Song (girls, 12 and under 15-years)* —Recalls to Tuesday’s sessions: Audrey, Edmond, Margaret A. Stewart, Juna Applegate. Also competed: Shirley M‘Rae, Shirley J. Stewart, Valda Dun* woodie, and Beverley Swallow. Recitation (11 and under 14 years)* —June Applegate 1, Peggy Johnson 2, June Walker and Audrey Geary (equal), 3. Also competed: Betty Tunaelman, This was another good section. The winner had a good voice and pleasing personality, and told the story well. The competitor placed second also had a good voice, but she could have used more speed to advantage. Song (boys 12 and under 16 years) * Arthur Berrv 1, Blair Thomson 2, Charlie Bowe'r 3- The boys produced some effective quality, the judge said, but they must refrain from forcing. The selection of songs was good, and the work showed some sound tuition. This evening the programme will com sist of juvenile action songs and duets, playettes, piano; elocution,. adults and i juvenile character sketches.