THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 24283, 26 August 1942, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS

FORTY-FIRST FESTIVAL UNDERWAY

The forly-first annual festival .of the Dunedin Competitions Society began this morning, when contestants were ncard in several classes in His Majesty’s Theatre, Victoria Hall, and the Concert Chamber. Recalls only wore announced in most classes, but the under 11 piano solo was judged outright. 'flic judges this year arc: Vocal sections, Mr H. Temple While (Wellington) ; instrumental, Dr T. Vernon Griffiths (Christchurch) : cl'oiition, Mr Errol Muir (Wellington) ; dancing, Miss Kathleen Mathews (Cliristchurch). All except Miss Mathews have previously adjudicated at Dunedin festivals.

In accordance with its war-time policy, the society has virtually eliminated the giving of money prizes, but it has received generous support from the business community and the public in the form of trophies. The following are this morning’s results :

INSTRUMENTAL: Judge: Dr T. Vernon Griffiths

Piano Solo, Under 11, ‘ Squirrels’ Dance’ (Lovelock). —fan K. C. Kerr, 92 points, 1; Phyllis Thomson, 89 points, 2; Jean Fulton, 88 points, 3. Very highly commended: Elaine Duncan, Betty McKay, Moya Hannigan. Highly commended; Gloria Manson. Commended; Edward Comer, Raymond Croot, Shirley Liston, Barbara P-egg. Tw/mly-four competitors. 'Pile Judge said that, the work throughout the class reflected ihe high standard of teaching the children received, and this promised very well for the future of most of the candidates. The first-placed candidate gave a really remarkable performance. Ho expressed pleasure at the number of parents present, and said that such support was very encouraging to the children.

Piano Solo, 14 ami Under 16, ‘Rosemary ’ (F. Bridge).—The recalls were Leslie A. Cowan (Palmerston) and Raymond Windsor.

DANCING. Judge: Miss Kathleen Mathews,

Ballet Dance, Toe. Under 14. —The recalls were Colecn Finlin, Evelyn Butterworth, Helen Fraser.

ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr Errol Muir

Recitation, Girls, 12 and Under 16, own selection (not humorous). —The recalls were Misses Glemia Smith and Winnie Sanderson.

Mr Muir advised the contestants not to select pieces that were over-long. “ Long pieces,” he stated, “ give an adjudicator more chance of pulling the work to pieces unless an even standard is sustained throughout. That is not. an easy thing to do.”

VOCAL. (Judge: Mr H. Temple White.)

Burns Song, own selection.—The recalls were Misses Clara Rouse and Gertrude Ardagh (Christchurch).

“ If the singing I have heard this morning is a sample of what I am to hear this week, then I am in for a good time,’’ said Mr White. The work had been consistently good. He stated that he never gave marks up to 100 or 99, as that would mean perfection, which was impossible of human attainment: but the marks for this class we're consistently high. To-day and To-morrow.

The official opening ceremony will be hold this evening at 7.30, the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) officiating. An attractive programme has been arranged, including the popular schoolgirls’ choirs. .The first of several children’s action choruses will be presented, and the first section of' the tenor solo contest will be taken. Other items will include ballet and demi-character dances, recitations, solos, and the Bach selection piano solo. To-morrow’s sessions will include recitations m Victoria Hall, and the test selection of the boys’ elocution scholarship will be heard in the afternoon. Piano solos, with the sight reading and test selections of the chief piano solo contest are set down for the Concert Chamber and vocal solos for His Majesty’s Theatre. The under 10 tap dancing class will be seen in Burns Hall in the morning