TAIERI COMPETITIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24410, 23 September 1940, Page 11

TAIERI COMPETITIONS

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OPENED The first sessions of the Taieri Competitions, held on Saturday afternoon and evening in St. Luke's Hail, Mosgiel, attracted good attendances. The president, the Rev. W. Edgar, declared the festival open. He referred to the great value the competitions were to those competing and what enjoyment and entertainment they provided for patrons. Success had followed the Taieri Competitions, as could be seen from the increase in entries and the number of concerts held as compared with the opening year. He expressed his pleasure in introducing the Rev. Stanley C. Read, who would act as chairman for the afternoon. The judges for the festival are: Vocal, choirs, violin and piano, Mr George E. Wilkinson; elocution and playettes, Miss Ngata Buswell: one-act plays, Mrs F Wakefield Holmes; national dancing, Miss R. Warren; stage dancing. Miss C Potts. Miss Westland is the honorary official accompanist, and Messrs R. McKenzie and N. Stratton the honorary official pipers. The following are the results:— AFTERNOON SESSION

Piano Solo (Under 10 years).—Nancy O'Fee 1 Irene Graham 2, Silvia Begg 3 Also competed: June Tregilgus, Neville Fursdon and Keith Harrison The judge said the work in this class was only fair. Most of the competitors were suffering from nervousness and inexperience. Recitation (under 9 years).—Velma Lobb 1, Dorothy Jones and Ronald Lobb (equal) 2, The number of competitors was disaupointing, but a high standard was maintained. Piano Solo (10 and under 12 years).— Kathleen Harris 1. Averley Cheyne 2. Hilary Mason 3. Also competed: Claire Beattie, Hugh Ivory. Mabel Bell. The winner, the judge said, played with very fair expression and good tone. Steadiness must be observed. Song (boys and girls under 9 years). —Silvia Begg 1, John Mason and Betty Applegate (equal) 2. The winner's selection was pleasing, the judge said, and the singer gained a good atmosphere. Violin Solo (13 and under 18 years). —Miss Blanche Martin 1. The only competitor. The effort was quite a good one. the judge said, and tone and intonation were satisfactory. Posture should be watched. Piano Duet (under 11 years) .—Hilary, Mason and Irene Graham 1. These were the only competitors. Very fair balance and tone were maintained. Cohesion was good, but more vital, rhythmic effect was needed for a dance. EVENING SESSION Adjutant W. B. Crichton presided over a good attendance at the eVening session. Piano Solo (12 and under 14 years). —Recalls to Tuesday's session: Merle Gibson, Joan Logie, Betty Davidson and Betty Stewart.- Also competed: Shirley J. Stewart. Audrey Edmond, Kebbel Kenyon, Margaret Law and June Valpy. Vocal Duet (any voices, under 15 years).—Blair Thomson and Arthur Berry 1, Noeline Campbell and Beverley Swallow 2, Jack Geddes and Murray Edmond 3. Also competed: June Tregilgus and John Mason. The winners had voices of pleasing quality, the judge said, but forcing must be guarded against. Their selection was a good one, and their interpretation effective. It was pleasing to find so many boys competing. Recitation (humorous, under 12 years) .—Recalls to Thursday's session: June Tregilgus, Audrey Geary. Velma Lobb. Very highly commended: Esme Garland. Also competed: Betty Smellie, Noeline Richardson. Robert Green and Ronald Lobb. Song (boys and girls. 9 and under 12 years).—Joan Mclnnes 1. Noeline Campbell 2. Murray Edmond and Jack Geddes (equal) 3. The winner gave a charming rendering of her song, the judge stated, and showed promise. This was a good section. Piano Duet (11 and under 15 years). —Averley Cheyne and Merle Gibson 1. Joan Logie and Kebbel Kenyon 2, Hugh G, Ivory and Gale Furdson 3. Also competed: Helen Logie and June' Valphy. There was some promising work 'in this section, marked by good balance and cohesion. The winners had a promising style. Recitation (9 and under 11 years).— June Tregilgus 1, Joan Mclnnes 2. Hilary Mason 3. This was a very good section, the judge said. The winner had a bright personality and good understanding of her piece. The competitor placed second had a beautiful voice, and the third placed had a good idea of dramatic values. Song (girls. 12 and under 15 years).— Recalls to Tuesday's sessions: Audrey Edmond. Margaret A. Stewart, June Applegate. Also competed: Shirley Mcßae. Shirley J. Stewart. Valda Dunwoodie. and Beverley Swallow. Recitation (11 and under 14 years).— June Applegate 1, Peggy Johnson 2, June Walker and Audrey Geary (equal) 3. Also competed: Betty Tunzelman. This was another good section. The winner had a good voice and pleasing personality, and told the story well. The competitor placed second also had a good voice, but she could have used more speed to advantage.

Song (boys 12 and under 16 years).— Arthur Berry 1, Blair Thomson 2, Charlie Bower 3. The boys produced some effective quality, the judge said, but they must refrain from forcing. The selection of songs was good, and the work showed some sound tuition. This evening';-, programme will consist of pianoforte solos, pianoforte duets, playettes, action songs, and action duets in character, character sketches, and humorous recitations.