THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Star, Issue 24285, 28 August 1942, Page 5

THE COMPETITIONS

MEUfI SONG CONTEST

PIAH3 SCHOLARSHIP WON

Special iVaUii’es of last night's programme presented in His Majesty's Theatre m eonlimiaticm of the forly-iirst annual festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society were three exhibition ballets and a musical highlight in the shape of IS minutes’ harmonious singing by Miss Mavis MacDonald s Castalian Singers. The three ballets, whicn wore well received, included two from Miss Ngiia ♦Slowley’s School, ‘in Beauty s Bower ’ and 1 Valse Triste.* and one presented by Miss Ktbel ‘ Toy Soldiery The most important competitive class was the Meil>a song, which was won by Miss Gertrude Av<iagh. and her singing was well praised by the judge (Mr H. Temple White). Miss Marion Gubb was second. A £5 5s scholarship, presented by Messrs Charles Begg and Co., went to Beslic A. Cowan, of Palmerston, winner of the piano solo, 14 and under 10. Important competitive sections heard during tlie afternoon wore (he test, in the clnot piano solo contest, ami the test selection in the bovs* eh.-cm lon sehoiat shin. Mr .1. McK. Midoi; was chairman mst night. The results were: -

VOCAL. .Judge; Mr H. Temple White

Melba Song; two selections. First prize £7 7s, second £3 3s.—Miss Gertrude Ardagh (Christchurch), 172 points, 1; Miss Marion Gubb, 167, 2; Miss Clara Rouse, 166, 3, Highly commended: Misses Phyllis Turner, Mama Payne, Evelyn Clyde, Fab. Woods. Fifteen .competitors. The singing in this class was very good in nearly every case, said the judge, and most' of the music was well chosen. The winner had a voice of exceptional refinement, quality, and control, one which would enable her to create atmosphere in whatever she sang. The second competitor chose a difficult number in the 1 Indian Bell Song, 1 but anyone selecting that commanded attention and respect. She had a voice of brilliant tone and good range, which helped her in her second selection. Mezzo-soprano Solo, 1 The Holy Boy. Miss Catherine Stewart (Gore), 85 points, X; Miss Elsie Kirkliam, 84, 2; Miss Lorna Pile, 82, 3. Highly commended: Misses Mama Payne, Patricia Thom, B. A, Herlihy, M. H. Mcßae (Diptpn). Fifteen competitors. Soprano Solo;* ‘ There’s a Song in the Woods.’ First prize £1 Is, second certificate (presented by Miss Eva Scott). —Miss Marion Gubb, 86 points, 1; Miss , Doreen Scott, 84, 2; Miss Thelma Thomson, 83, 3. Highly commended: Misses Gertrude Ardagh (Christchurch), Dorothy Oliver, Phyllis McGoskcry, Phyllis Scott (Gore). Fourteen competitors.

Judge; Dr T. Vernon Griffiths. Song for Girls, 13 and under 16; ‘ Nymphs and Shepherds.’—Yvonne Hill, 89 points, 1; Katie Stewart and Norma Scrivener, 87 (equal), 2; Joy Chamberlain (Gore) and Meryl Lemin, 86 (equal), 4. Very highly commended: Yvonne Finnerty, Eunice Morris (Milton), M. Turnbull, Ngaire Brown. Highly commended: Shirley Mcßae (Middlemarch), Joan Keen, Rcma E. Smith, Ngaire Maxwell, Brenda Nevin. Commended: H. Houliston (Balclutha), Patricia Brady, Beverley Cater, Joy Thompson. Winnie Sanderson, Beverley Wix. Thirty-one competitors.

INSTRUMENTAL. Judge; Dr T. Vernon Griffiths

Piano Solo, own selection. —Miss Marie Hunt, 89 points, 1; Miss Nola Borrow (Mosgiel), 86, 2; Misses Rosaline Plank and June Barclay, 85 (equal), 3. Highly commended : Misses Joan Woods, Marjorie Holdaway, Rosalie Ferry (Invercargill). Commended: Misses Marie Winders (Invercargill), Ailsa Poulter. Twelve competitors. Piano Solo, 14 and under 16, ‘ Rosemary ’ (Begg’s Scholarship). —Leslie A. Cowan (Palmerston), 88 points, 1; Raymond Windsor, 87, 2; Leslie M. Anderson and Vera Paterson (Oamaru), 86 (equal), 3. Very highly commended: Joy Stewart, Myra Poppolwell. Highly commended; Elaine Robinson, Hilda Robertson. Commended: Edwin Carr, Alan Flamank. Eighteen competitors. In this class, said the judge, the old questions cropped up—was it better to play with accuracy or to give the mood of the piece and have one or two small slips? Personally he thought that musicians should think first and foremost of the mood of the music. Accuracy could be a little cold if the music was not speaking through the technique. The winning performances were good.

ELOCUTION. Judge: Mr Errol Muir,

Recitation, own selection from Scott’s works. First prize, £1 10s; second, 10s (presented by Dunedin Burns Club). —Miss Winnie Dowie 81 points, 1; Miss Margaret XJfton, 80, 2; Miss Billy Logan, 78, 3. Very highly commended: Miss Enid Carter. Highly commended; Misses Sylvia Lawrence, N. M. Henderson, Elsie Kirkham. Ten competitors. The judge said that he was pleased to seo a wider range of selection in this class this year. The winner had a natural style and a pleasing natural delivery. Humorous Recitation, boys under 12, own selection. —Neville Madden, 84 points, 1; Brian Parke and Morgan Fahey, 80 (equal) 2. Very highly commended; Bobby Cornish. Highly commended: Billie Chambers, Raymond Croot, Ronnie Cain. Twentyone competitors. Shakespearean Recitation, men. —Mr Leonard Jones, 75 points, 1. Three competitors. DANCING.

Judge: Miss Kathleen Mathews,

Character Dance, under 13. —Shirley M. Harvev (Browns), 81 points, 1; Lorna Prattlcy, 79, 2; Ngairc Holland, 77, 3. Commended; Colleen Finlin and Maureen Keenan Thirteen competitors.

Ballet Dance, operatic, 13 and under 10. —Beta Cook, 86 points, 1; Alan Cropley, 85, 2; Ngairo Whitcombe, 74, 3. Nine competitors.