THE COMPETITIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 138, 11 May 1940, Page 8

THE COMPETITIONS

JUDGES IMPRESSED. YESTERDAY’S PLACINGS. The judges -at the Manawatu Compettions Society’s festival, when interviewed, were generous in praising most of the classes. Mr Claude H. Davies (Christchurch), who judged the vocal and instrumental sections, said that the children’s vocal work was outstanding. The teaching showed a universally high standard, and, contrary to what was generally thought, the standard in Palmerston North was, as usual, as high as that in the large centres. The ladies’ vocal classes were very fine, hut their weakest point was a lack of clarity of words. Competitors must remember not to sacrifice clarity for tone. Mrs Isabel Halligan, of Wellington, said that the standard in the elocutionary classes was generally good, but verse was spoken too jerkily and not enough attention was paid to making the rhythm flow, in accordance with the methods approved to-day. The “own selection’’ items were generallywell chosen, hut the character work was often beyond the scope of the yonger entrants: In the recital with musical accompaniment many competitors did not listen with appreciation to the accompaniments. The winners, however, kept rhythm and time beautifully. Tlie Indies’ character work was disappointing, and in the young people’s sections voices generally were not so clear and sweet as they should be, and there was some forcing. Mrs Halligan has recently returned from Europe and spent some time studying in London. There the study of voice and verse were considered of paramount importance in verse speaking and not gesture. While in London, Mrs Halligan had the honour to be elected a member of the Royal Society of Teachers. She took .a course at the London Institute of Speech Therapy, which aims at curing speech defects duo to cleft palates and the like. There were four principal schools of speechtraining in London—Trinity College of Music (which was the oldest), the Royal Academy of Music, the London School of Music and Drama, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Mrs Halligan witnessed performances at each of these schools and thought that at the Guildhall was the most interesting in choice of dramatic material and presentation. She enjoyed a most interesting fortnight’s work at the London School of Speech, under Miss Marjorie Gullan, who lias written a number of interesting and practical books’ on speech training. At this school Mrs Halligan met teachers from all over the world, ' including America and India.

Miss Jeane Horne (Wellington), who judged the dancing, said that the standard was fair —better in some classes than in others. A general fault throughout was time, which-; she thought, was probably due to dancing to a gramophone. Gramophone music did not help the dancer. In a dance the dancer was the artist and the music should follow the dancer.- In a festival such as this, the aim was to encourage “flesh and blood” art, and it seemed a pity to fall back on such music. There was some very good operatic work, -and it was most encouraging td see this as the Royal Academy of Dancing (London) had : recently awarded a scholarship of £IOO to New Zealand to come into force after the 1941 .major examinations, £25 to be given in cash and the rest in tuition abroad. There were one or two outstanding tap items, one competitor, Tommy Pctheriek (Wellington), being up to professional standard. The character sections were disappointing, and many of the national steps were not authentic; for instance, Kussian steps were mixed with Hungarian, and so on. Many competitors did not sustain their characters, apparently relying on their costumes alone. Costume counted, but facial expression, steps, arm and body movement were also important.

Mrs M. C. Hannah, judge of the national dancing, said that correct technique was a feature of most sections, though many in the hornpipe did not have the correct solo style. The majority were a little mechanical. Some showed great promise, but many were too young for their sections. The costuming was good and effective, particularly in the Irish reel. ' Further results are:—

Vocal and instrumental music.—Mouth organ solo: Ray Wright (Palmerston North), 75pts, 1; 4 entries. Piano accordion : Mr Otto George Dawson, 78pts, 1; only entry. Sacred solo, ladies: Miss D. Price (Palmerston North), ‘‘Come Unto Him, and Mrs E. Blako (Waverley), “He Shall Feed His Flock,” 88pts, equal, 1; Miss Joan Bovis (Palmerston North), 84 pts, and Miss V. Johnston (Wanganui), 85 pts, v.h.c.; Miss W. Cameron (Wanganui) and Miss J. Mackuy-Martin (Palmerston North), 81pts, • h.c.; 12 entries. Bdooution.—Recitation, girls under 9, “Glasshouse Sheet” (Eleanor Farjeon) : Dorothy Jenness (Lower Hutt) and Mar-

garet Morgan (Wanganui), 78pts, equal, 1; Auae Powell (Palmerston North). 77 pts, 2; Jeanette Speight (Palmerston North), Dulcie Needham (Palmerston North) and Fay Dykes (Napier), .76pts, equal 3; 13 entries.