CHOIR COMPETITION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2761, 22 July 1924, Page 2

CHOIR COMPETITION.

JUDGE'S REMARKS. The following are the remarks of the judn-e of the combined choirs competition, the final of which was held in Centurv Hall. Levin. last Friday night, when Levin was declared the winner, by the judge, Mr Don, of Dunedin. The Judge’s decision was rmtur,.!lv awaited with great interest. Mr Don prefaced Iris verdict with a few n marks on the benefits accruing from choral competition. “Before I announce flic-winner of Bio laurel wreath,” be said. “I wish io repeal what I said at Foxtori on Tnesdav last regarding the le-nclil ■•.f' contests such as the one wc have just listened to. 1 have heard it staid that tin* aftermath is made up of ‘grouches' and heart burning-,” and whilst admitting that there are some who lake defeats badly my experience is that groucliers are in the minority. Contests such as these have without a shadow of doubt, a most beneficial effect <m choristers. The practice- neecs.-mrv to bring the choir up to 'contest lurin’ arc. in themselves a source of never-ending delight and llieir educational value t annul be over estimated. After taking part in a few elmir ronle-ts, it is freely admitted that Hie singing gcncrallv improves bcyoiukacengrii lion. If wc suffer defeat and ean do so wit bout chagrin—or if we en- i jov victory without gloating—well then let us have contests by all means. Afv personal belief is that the benefits that accrue far outweigh anv evils that may be. connected with them. 1 take this opporfunitv of congratulating the choirs on their respective performances —they have both done remarkably well —of which they have every reason to be proud. The choir masters have demonstrated what can be done by careful training and I congratulate both the winner and the loser.” THE DECISION, Ah- Don then dealt with the performances of the two choirs, both of whom, lie stated, failed mostly on interpretation and ennunciation. Nervousness was very marked os regarded the Foxton choir. These poiilts were clearly explained and the .criticism should be of considerable .value to the choirs in future work. The points scored in the test pieces were then given (which we published in a previous issue), the final totals being in favour of Levin by ten points. At the conclusion of the Judge’s remark-', the Rev. J. D. McArthur, an behalf of the choirs and audience, thanked the Mayor (Air T. Hobson) for his presence and also all others, including the Judge, the Rev. Mitchell and Miss Shaw, whose efforts had contributed jo make the contest such a notable success.

Subsequently a social gathering U:ok place when the visiting choir and judge were entertained at suptier. The opportunity was taken of further acknowledging Air Don's assistance, be being made the recipient of gifts from both choirs as mementos of a very pleasant occasion.