Choir Contests at Competitions

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 137, 31 August 1927, Page 9

Choir Contests at Competitions

A SATISFACTORY STANDARD TO-DAY'S RESULTS The choir contest set down for the ! Town Hall last evening was undoub- ; tedly the principal attraction of yes- i terday’s sessions. The contest was divided into two j sections, the first for choirs of from j 24 to 40 voices and the other for church [ choirs of from 16 to 24 voices. In the former class four choirs com- I peted. a very even contest resulting in j the Beresford Street Congregational j Choir being placed first. with St. i James’s Presbyterian Choir second. In the smaller class St. Thomas’s and Epiphany Choir were successful, with 337 points, St. Paul’s Methodist Choir. Hamilton, being placed second with 335 points. The singing in both classes was up to a good standard and the various items were well appreciated. The finals in the contralto and operatic solos provided six very interesting items, close contests also resulting in these classes. A high standard was apparent in the character recital and the Dickens j character recital, although probably j the best work was done in the dancing ; classes, which were again consistently

good. Results In the evening sessions arc as follow: CHURCH CHOIR CONTEST 16 to 24 Voices. Anthem, ‘’When Evening’s Twilight ” (Hatton). Hymn (unaccompanied), “Lead Kindly Light” (Sandon). St. Thomas’s and Epiphany Choir, Auckland, 337 points 1 St. Paul’s Methodist Choir, Hamilton. 335 points 2 CHURCH CHOIR CONTEST 24 to 40 Voices. Anthem, “By Babylon’s Wave” (Gounod). Hymn (unaccompanied), “Pierce Raged the Tempest” (Dykes). Beresford Street Congregational Choir, Auckland 1 St. James’s Presbyterian Choir, Auckland 2 Dominion Road Methodist Choir .... 3 TO-DAY’S SESSIONS Two vocal classes, mezzo-soprano solo and oratorio solo (contralto), were heard at the Concert Chamber this morning, and at the Unity Hall, the class, humorous recitation for girls under 16, was taken. In the latter class 5S entries were received. necessitating the class being heard in two sections. This afternoon the soprano solo, “Spring’s Awakening,” Irish national song and champion pianist recital will be taken at the Concetr Chamber, and the dramatic recital (open), test recitation (gentlemen) and recitation with musical accompaniment. at the Unity Hall. The evening session at the Town Hall will include a piano duet. 16 and over, in addition to the usual recalls. Results at to-day’s sessions are as follow : MEZZO-SOPRANO SOLO “Sing, Break Into Song” (Mallinson) Recalled.—Mrs. J. I. Owen. Miss Ida Armstrong, and Miss Dorothy Richardson. Highly Commended. —Miss Cecilia Dun- ! can. ORATORIO SOLO —CONTRALTO “O Thou That Tellest” (“Messiah”) Recalled.—Miss Edna Peace, Miss Gladys Wilson and Miss Doris Moore. Very Highly Commended. —Mrs. Helen Kersey. LITERARY SECTION The following results have been announced by the judge of the literary section, Mr. J. W. Shaw, M.A.: DICKENS CHARACTER RECITAL In Costume, Ladies or Gentlemen. Miss Doris Messer, Mount Eden, 108 points 1 Miss Hettie Pam, Otahuhu, 105 points 2 Miss Edna Kelly, Mount Eden, 101 points 3 RECITATION Ladies or Gentlemen. New Zealand Poem. Miss Doris Messer, Mount Eden, 54 points 1 Miss Winifred Crosher, Takapuna. 83 points 2 Mr. Fred. Hargreaves, Auckland, 82 points 3 Miss Audrey Perry, Auckland, 81 points 4 CHARACTER RECITAL In Costume, 13 to 16. Miss Rhona Speed, Mount Eden, 104 points 1 Miss Stella Lees, Mount Eden, 102 points 2 ; Miss Joan Ross, Epsom, 101 points 3 CLASSIC DANCE Under 16. Greek or Eastern, Barefoot. ’ Iris Black, Auckland, 80 points .... 1 . Daphne Polglase, Auckland, 70 points _ 2 Mary Wilson, Auckland, 77 points .. 3 CHARACTER DANCE 1 9 and Under 12. Gladys Cain, Auckland, and Loloraa Kay, Ponsonby, 79 points 1 t Joy Simon, Remuera, 78 points 2 DANCE DUO 11 and Under 14. ‘ Joy Simon and Loloma Kay 1 Zoe Fernley and Roie Jenkins 2 Roie Jenkins and Gladys McCauley .. 3 * CONTRALTO SOLO “A Sapphic Ode” (Brahms), j Miss Edna Peace, Northcote, 173 1 points 1 Mrs. H. Kersey, Auckland, 166 points 2 Highly Commended. Miss Maida - Davidson, Kingsland. OPERATIC SOLO l Soprano or Mezzo. Miss Rita Masson, Carterton, 166 points 1 Miss Dorothy Richardson, Auckland,

165 points 2 Miss Edith Strange, Ponsonby, 164 points -- 3 ESSAY 15 and under 18 “The National Value of Radio.” Miss Marion St. J. Biggs 1 Miss Trixie Harrison 2 ESSAY 13 and under 15 “How School Games Help Character.” Miss Betty Warren 1 Master Ronald Buchanan 2 Highly Commended: Lucy Elliot and

Winnie McDermott. ESSAY Under 13 “A Visit To Our Zoo.” Miss Audrey Hadrup 1 Master Eric Chapman 2 , Highly Commended: Allan Crawford ! and Roma Tenpin. ~ NEW ZEALAND FAIRY TALE Under 15 Miss Una Barker 1 j Master Jack Warren 2 1 Highly Commended: Rosalie Daniels ! and Nancy Graham. SHORT NEW ZEALAND STORY Open to AM Rev. Jasper Calder 1 j Miss Jean Boswell 2 , Highly Commended: J. K. Jameson and j Alex C. Hanlon. ORIGINAL POEM Open to All Anonymous ((“The Coal Hulk”) .... I j Mr. H. P. Gandy - YESTERDAY'S RESULTS CHARACTER RECITAL 13 to 16. Recalled. —Rhona Speed, Stella Lees and Joan Ross. Highly Commended. —Ethel Turner and Lilian Skeels.

OPERATIC SOLO Mezzo or Soprano. Recalled. —Miss - Edith Strange, Miss Rita Masson and Miss Dorothy RichardS °Very Highly Commended. —Miss Cecilia Duncan. Highly Commended.—Miss -Ida -Arm-

strong and Miss Amy Dellore. CHARACTER DANCE 9 and Under 12 Recalled. —Gladys Cain, Joy Simon, Lolorna Kay. Highly Commended.—Elva Parr, Patty Gilmore and Roie Jenkins. CONTRALTO SOLO “A Sapphic Ode.” Recalled: Miss Edna Peace and Mrs. Ellen Kersey. Very highly commended: Miss Maida Davison.

SIGHT READING Over 16. Miss Hettie Pain, 84 points 1 Miss Audrey Perry, 82 points .... 2 Miss Iris Andrews and Miss Margot Trafford, 81 points Z Very highly commended: Mr. Fred Har-greav-ee.