THE WESTLAND COMPETITIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1930, Page 4

THE WESTLAND COMPETITIONS

The programme for the Westland Competitions is now in general circulation, and is being generally availed of. This year, to laJlitate progress, the Society iias a separate judge for the musical and elocutionary sections. Mr Arthur Lilly A.R.C.0., of Car is tcl lurch, will be adjudicator in music, and Mr Barton Ginger, of Wellington, judge in elocution. Miss Muriel Waugh, of Christchurch,- who filled the same position last year will be judge of the dancing section. The Competitions open on Thursday', May Bui. and continue in : the day time the following two days, with full day night sessions on the following Monday and Tuesday, and winding up <ju Wednesday and Thursday, May 14th. and loth, with final demonstration concerts. This is an extended season which no doubt will be appreciated ibv uie. local public who have patronised the Competitions in the past so liberally. Entries for the Competitions close on April 16th.

The programme, though generally following the lines of previous years, has been revised, and has some additional classes. In the juvenile section (elocution) the age limits have been made clearer to prevent.confusion in some minds..: There has been rather a pleasing choice of test pieces, both in the music and elocution--sections. In, the open section the subject for the prepared ,speech is: “The need or otherwise, of a bias in the State Education system.',’> Impromptu speech and debate, are included in this year’s programme, - /,ln connection with the challenge ,cups.,, for Shakespeare, the ladles’ recital .is .‘‘Hermione's Deleave,” and for men, an excerpt from Othello.” The juvenile Shakesperean. recitation (a new section) is an excerpt from “Hamlet.” It is hoped a trophy will be provided . for this section ftxr annual competition. In the elocutionary section Mr Bartpn Ginger, the judge, is offering., two special cash prizes for the highest aggregate marks in certain classes, which should induce special competition.

(he music setion 'has been widened somewhat. The ladies’ solo ,(own selection). for Mr Eric Moss’s-trophy is’included, also a national sprig and a. duet. The anthem for the choirs’ competition is an, attractive one:: “Send Out Thy Light,”’ (Gunodj, In the instrumental section for juveniles there is a special prize, of five-guineas for the most promising piano performer in solo work. There are increased vocal items for juveniles, including a sacred solo for girls with, songs also for boys, as well as unison songs for girls and boys. These items should bring out further talent. The school choral and action songs for the annual trophies are retained.

The dancing section has been revised, fresh fc’la>sse«' also 'added, including '< character dancing, operatic and skipping dancing, ahd this section is likely to be well filled, with both local , and outside visitors. ' ■' The programme contains' particulars of' the judge’s marking, the general conditions, and the' book of wotfs, as well as the Test pieces for the several set elocutionary numbers. It will lie noted that the Competitio'ris are' held earlier this year. This is to meet the wishes of the educational authorities and should be found ‘generally a' convenient time. The Society is' now enrolling hew members and will be glad of all the public and financial support which can be offered. Tickets will shortly be on sale, ahd give concessions to holders in booking etc., for the demonstration concerts. The present will be the fifth successive festival of the Society; and it should prove equally as popular, if not better, than the forerunners of which there are the pleasantest recollections.