THE COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1929, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

OPENING DAY: Despite the unfavourable weather the competitions opened very successfully yesterday. The three sessions were all well patronised. Princess Theatre was the special rendezvous, but the Soldiers’ Hall-fib the where the dancing section was in progress, was crowded. The proceedings were (followed closely and the performers much encouraged by hearty applause. There was good competition throughout, several classes being well filled.

During the evening, when orations, debates and own selection recitations predominated, there , was much interest manifested in the successive events. The audience enjoyed the impromptu speaking and the publifc speaking in the prepared address. It was a very good section. Opportunity was taken by the President (Mr D. J. Evans) on behalf of the Society to thank flie public foi their patronage and the competitors for their liberal support. The help from outside competitors at . Ross..and notably Greymouth was appreciated Specially. The good wishes received from the Greymouth Society and Clubs was acknowledged gratefully. A welcome was extended to the judges, Miss Muriel Waugh, of Christchurch, who was adjudicator for the dancing, and Mr L. Cliffe Stanford, 8.A., Oxon., and diploma of Leipzig Conservatorium, who had the dual task of judging the elocution and the musital sections. Although the evening programme began immediately after 7 o’clock it was 11.15 before the judge’s decisions were given and then the prepared oration had to be omitted. The judge commented on late entries being received by the Committee, and alluding to the impromptu speech subject said it would be well if in future competitors were educated to the necessity of making their entries to time. results. Recitation, 12 years to 15 years, “ To-morrow ” : Joy Ward, 166 ... .... - * Mavis Bond, 160 •• • •• - Edna Howat, 156 3 Mr Cliffe Stanford remarked that some of the 18 competitors in this number lost points through failure to broaden the vowel sounds. Vocalisation exercises were necessary. Two words noticeably had been mispronounced, “nabob” and “hovering.” Some competitors were inclined to overdo their emphasis. The highest art was ooncealed art. Pleased to see the boys competed, though they (Gd better in* a later piece. Piano Solo, Waltz in A Major, 12 years to 15 years:

Nancy Brooks, 168 1 Edna Baker, 16© - ... ••• 2 Ena Clanke, 144 ... ••• 3 There were twelve competitors and the judge said he noticed a weakness in tone production. Some played as though the mind was on something mechanical. The quality of tone pioduced was weak. They should play with their ears and listen to the tone. In some cases there was a lack of technical foundation.

Musical Monologue, own selection, under 12 years: \ Helen Ronton, 168 1 Mary Preston, 152 ... •••. 2 Ida AlcDonald, 148 3 Song in Character, own selection, 9 to 12 years:

Connie Staines and Betty Callaghan, 166 . 1 Millie Coulson, 158 ... ... 2 Joyce Andrews, 156 v 3 The judge suggested the singers should keep their Attention fixed oil the audience. The singing and characterisations were very good.

Recitation, 12 to 18, own selection. Jean Kyle “Fairy Music,” Winston Reynolds “Sea Fever,” Irene Goocli “The Vision,” Alsu M. Coles Admirals All,” Joy Ward “ Flower of the Dust,” Sidney Blank “Young Fellow My Lad,” Pat McGavin “The Fireman,” Mary McGavin “Her Letter,” Noeline Wormington “ The West Wind,” Ena Clark “England to the Sea,”’ Edna Howat “The Brighton Coach,” Jessie May Vea-le “Rose out of Reach,” William G. Veale “ Admirals AM,” Noelle Dunford “ Elffn Artist,” Violet Ross “The Child Musician,” Flo Sparks “ In the Cool of the Evening,” Edna May Fowler “Jaffar,” Jack Preston “ Victor of Marengo,” Ella Groufsky “ Hundreds o*f Years Ago,” George Johnston “ Dr. • Dan,” Mavis Bond “ Anette Jones—Her Book,” Herbert Tooliey “Royal Marine,” Cecelia Keating “ Fairy Music.” Allan Coles, 170 1 Sidney Blank, 162 2 Jessie. V&tle, 106 ... 3

The judge said the enunciation was very good, some of the girls lathei overdid the emphasis, and anticipated the climax. He would suggest that in this seotion in future, there be separate classes for boys and girls. Piano Solo, 9 years to .12, “ Elfantanz”: Ruby Guthberlet, Valerie Nightingale, Patricia Tooliey, Edward Stoop, Alma Ross, Erin Kirwan, Joyee Andrews, Betty Delbridge, Mary Preston, Edna Hansford, Sylvia Shmlers, Clarisse Restieaux. Valerie Nightingale, 174 ... 1 Ruby Guthberlet, 172 ... 2 Edna Hansford, 160 3 Mr Stanford said lie was very pleased with the pianoforte playing in., this class. ’ It showed a better technical foundation. There should be more boys learning the piano. The players generally should pay more attention to the-

wristsl—there was a tendency, to play -entirely 'from the fingers. Before preparing a piece scale practice is most essential-and the scales should always be kept up—when they are learned that'is just the time to keep,,on playing them—it is the best practice. Recitation, 7 to 9 years, “In the Fashion ”: Ida , McDonald, Betty Brown, Roy Markland, June Armstrong, T. J. Fitzgerald, Jack Wells, Lucy Baum, Irene Bell, Jean Coulson, Nita Stevens, Alexis Campbell. Betty Brown, 162 I Lucy Baum, 158 2 Ida' McDonald, 154 3

On the whole the children spoke well the judge remarked. The average was goody though the tendency to mispronounce the vowels was apparent again.

Oration—Prepared Speech: “ The Progress of the Socialistic Ideal in New Zealand” or “Westward Ho! or the tendency of Civilisation from the Earliest Times to Migrate Westwards.” Time limit: 7 minutes. Tim fallowing competed: P. L. Turley, W. D. Murray, D. M. Robertson, A. M. Carroll, J. C. Murray, J. Booth, E. J. Haig. A. M. Carroll, 165 1 D. M. Robertson, 160 ••• 3

J. Booth, 150 3 Recitation, men, “Norman and Saxon.” The competitors were: James Stopforth and Tom Learmont. The placings were: T. Learmont 182, 1, J. Stopforth, 172, 2. ■

Duet in Character, .12 to 16 years, own selection : ' ■ ■

-Misses Gladys'Higson and'Alice Radcliffe, “No, John, No,” 176, Ist; Misses Joy Ward and Edna Howat, 144, 2nd. Impromptu debate—subject, “That man’s proper sphere is in the home, while woman rules the world.

‘Five couples competed, and much humour was created. The result was: J. Booth and W. D. Murray, 175 1 D. M. Robertson and A. M. Carroll, 165 2 J. T. Murray and E. J. Hay, 160 3 Contralto Solo, open, “Sapphire Ode.” Three entries, one competitor. Miss Margaret Nolan, 166 points. Recitation, men, own selection, six competitors.—W. McGrath, 170, 1, T. Learmont, 158, 2, J. Stopforth, .140, 3. Tenor Solo open, own selection. Two entries, one competitor, Air Evelyn Boote, “ Serenate,” 170 points. Impromptu Speech. Subject, “ The Educational Value of Competitions. Eleven competitors: W. D. Murray 175, 1; A. M. ■‘Carroll, 160, 2; J. Booth, 155, 3. Shakesperean Recitation, men, “King Henry’s Speech.” Four competitois. W. McGrathjj 156, 1; T. Learmont, 148, 2; A. Coles, 142, 3. Owing to the lateness of the "hour the judge withheld any remarks on the evening session. ‘ DANCING SECTION. , . t . “ . .. . i . Highland Fling.—Alplva Moss. 1, Vera Cooper 2, Edna A rms trong 3. Five competed. / Classic Solo, 10 years to 14.—Melva Moss V Alice Radcliffe 2, Marie Cullen 3. Four competed. Pas de Seal, toe, over 14 years Vera Cooper 1, Lily Staines 2, Doreen Pickering 3. Five competed. Sword Dance.—Vera Cooper 1, Vivian Knowles 2, Edna Armstrong 3. Only competitors; Corps de Ballet, 10 years to 14. Airs Staveley’s pupils I, Copelia Ballet 2, Humoreske Ballet 3. Only competitors. Pas de Seal, toe, under 10 years.— Thelma Smith 1, June Heenan 2, Connie Staines 3. Five competitors. JUDGE’S COAIAIENT. Highland Fling was quite a good class. The winner danced very neatly, position and execution being good. Good interpretation of the Fling. The second and third competitors also danced well, but their positions and execution were rather weak. Sword Dance. —'The winner of this class had the right interpretation of the dance. Positions and pointing were good, and quite a good performance.

Classic Solo, 10 to 14 years. The winner in this class danced very gracefully—time and rhythm were good. The arm movements were a little stiff. The second and third competitors rather lacked interpretation.

Has de Seul (toe dance).—This was quite a good section. The winner danced very gracefully. Arm movements were very good and had a nice variety of steps. The second and third competitors danced well, but were much too serious—if they would only smile more, it would improve the effect considerably.

Corps de Ballet, 10 to 14 years.— This was quite a good class. The winning ballet danced well together, lime and rhythm were . good. Ann movements rather stiff. As remarked before, performers all too serious. Try a smile—it will improve the performance greatly. Pas de Seul (toe dance).— I The winner in this class danced very well. Positions and technique ghod. Altogether quite a dainty performance. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. To-day's programme was continued in both the Princess Theatre and the Soldiers’ Hall, morning and afternoon sessions being held in both buildings. To-night’s session in the Theatre begins at 7.ls'o’clock and will include several ladies items, instrumental numbers and dancing.

Seats may now be reserved for the demonstration concert: