THE COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1929, Page 6

THE COMPETITIONS SOCIETY

THIRD DAY. Yesterday, the third day of the Competitions festival, broke beautifully line, and the weather was in keeping with the excellence of the proceedings at Princess Theatre, where the programmes were continued, throughout the diiy. During the forenoon and afternoon the attendance was good and at night very large. The various items were followed very closely and enjoyed thoroughly.' Again the standard was at a high level, and competition was keen in many of the events. RESULTS. Corps de Ballet, under ten. Miss Staveley’s pupils, the Baby Ballet, 67 points. " Recitation Humorous, 12 years to 18, own selection. The Competitors were:—Joy Ward “ The Bridal Morn,” Sidney Blank “Cohen’s Sea Voyage,” Pat McGavin “Jimmy Goes to Bed,” Mary McGavin “ Greetings,” Noeline Wormington “The Telegram,” Ena Clark “ The Jealous Wife,” Edna Howat “ Aunt Tabitha,” Violet Ross “Buying a Wedding Present,” Dorothy Hughes “At the Dentist,” Flo Sparkes “Yes, Papa,” Edna May Fowler “ The Census,”’ Ella Groufsky “ The Night of the Party,” Herbert Toohey “ The Twins.” The recalls were Joy Ward and Sidney Blank, who appeared in the evening with the following decision: Joy Ward, 184 1 S. Blank, 160 ... ••• ••• 2 F. Sparkes, 138 3 Oration, 15 years to 18, speech from any statesman, own selection. Those who competed were:—Winston Reynolds “World’s Debt to Li#tle Nations,” Noelle Dunford “Our Sword and Buckler,” Dorothy Hughes “Freedom.”

W. Reynolds, 164 1 N. Dunford, 160 - D. Hughes, 146 3 Musical Monologue, humorous, under 12, own selection. The competitors were: —Betty Brown “Paddy,” June Heenan “Daddy Babsy,” Sylvia Sanders “The Good Little Boy,” Gordon Windsor “And Yet I Don’t Know,”'Paul Sparkes “Fishes.” G. Windsor, 164 1 J. Heenan, 162 ... ... 2 P. Sparkes, 160 3 The judge said this was a very good section for small children. The other two competitors tied with 154. They spoke well, but too much attention could not be given to pronounciation. Little June Heenan scored heavily in artistry' and’gesture. Reading at Sight, 15 years to 18. A selection from Midsuminer- Night’s Dream.”

The competitors were: —Jessie May Veale, Robert Galbraith, Brian McDermid, Phyliss Bond. R. Galbraith, 126 1 P. Bond, 120 2 B. McDermid, 116 3 The judge said the marks were not high. The piece proved rather difficult. He suggested readers should watch sentences ahead—that was the secret of sight reading. They also required the dramatic style with the change of tone. Piano Solo, open, “ Hexentanz.” Gwen Jacobs, Ada Lynn, Henry Thiele, Mary Houlahan were the competitors. A. Lynn, 174 I G. Jacobs, 170 ... M. Houlahan, 140 3 The judge said it was a hard piano to play on. Sacred Solo, open, own selection. The competitors were: —Rita Morgan “There is a Green Hill,” Margaret Nolan “Love Not the World,” Doreen Fleming “ Ave Maria,” Una Groufsky “ Hold Thou my Hand,” Jane Warren “ O Loving Father,” Maureen Hanrahan “ Ave Maria,” Ada Lynn “ O For the Wings of a Dove,” James. Stopforth “The Living God,” Myrtle Sweney “Son of My Soul,” Evelyn Boote “The Wondrous Cross.” The recalls for the evening were:— Misses Rita Morgan and Ada Lynn, and Mr E. Boote. The finals resulted: R. Morgan, 180 1 Ei Boote, 178 2 A. Lynn, 170 3 Instrumental Trio, open own selection.

M. Houlahan, M. Paget, and M. Knowles, piano trio. H. M. Sweney, J. H. Sweney, and h. Sweney, instrumental trip, first, 146 points. Baritone Solo, open, own selection, two entries, one competitor, T. Stopforth, 146. Recitation, ladies, test piece, “Afterwards.” Miss E. Knight 162, Miss M. King, 158, 2. Choir, anthem and hymn, only competitor All Saints’ Choir, 160 points. The judge said that speaking personally ’he did not like sacred music on a secular stage, not from a religious point of view, but from the artistic viewpoint. Emotions were aroused, but not in the proper atmosphere, and rounds olf applause followed! It was possible for church choirs to compete in secular music. He desired, however, to congratulate All Saints’ Choir on the presentation. The anthem was very good, and the hymn was a good specimen of church choir work.

Classic Solo Dance, over 14 years.— Vera Cooper, 60, 2nd; L. Staines, 58, 3rd.

Recitation, humorous, open, own selection.—Hazel Perry, 176, 1, E. Knight, 158, 2; M. King, 152, 3. Operatic or Dramatic Solo, open, own selection.

Those competing were: —Charlotte Wylie “ Black Roses,” Rita Morgan

“Flower Song,” Evelyn Boote “Once Again.” Miss Morgan, 184 ... .... 1 Miss Wylie, 172 2 Mr Boote, 152 3

The judge congratulated Miss Morgan very heartily on her success. Dancing, classic ensemble, over 14. —Miss Staveley’s pupils, 64 marks. Piano Solo, 15 years to 18, “Nocturne in E Flat.”

Competitors were:—Gwen Jacobs, Jessie Mclntosh, Hazel Restieaux, Olive Chesterman, Moira Stopforth, Monica Knowles.

G. Jacobs, 162 .. M. Knowles, 156 M. Stopforth, 152

The judge said the standard in piano playing was not up to expectations. It was not advisable to play too faslt. The better policy was to be on the slow side and aim at a rich full tone instead of speed. The tendency to speed sacrificed tone. The piece demanded a strong melody to be produced by the right hand. Players? should play close attention to phrasing, and should remember the piano has. two pedals. Pas de Seul Ballet, 10 to 14 years. Florrie Hall, 71 1 Alice Radcliffe, 70 '. 2 Cecilia Keating, 69 3 • Twelve competed.

Irish Ji|s. —Vera Cooper, 64, 1; Edna Armstrong, 60, 2. The only competitors.

Pas de Seul Ballet, over 14 years Lily Staines, 73 1 Phyllis Andrews, 68 2 Doreen Pickering, 67 ... 3 .

There were seven competitors

Before the close of the evening’s programme shortly after 10 o’clock Mr Evans (President) thanked the audience for the well-sustained patronage, and commended to-day’s programme to the public.

To-night at 7.30 the demonstration concert will begin. It will consist of over 40 items, all the winners practically in their best work. No doubt there will be a crowded attendance as a fitting wind-up to the Competitions. Mr Cliffe Stanford, the musical and elocutionary judge, will speak tonight on the work presented at the Competitions.