COMPETITION CONCERTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 141, 5 September 1927, Page 15

COMPETITION CONCERTS

VARIETY AND TALENT The variety and wealth of talent to be had at the Festival demonstration concerts again attracted a large audience at the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The programme for the second concert was again of a very high standard, the large “house” voicing its appreciation of the fare provided in a no uncertain manner.

Items by the champion choir, Beresford Street Congregational, proved of great interest. The anthem, ‘By Babylon’s Wave” (Gounod), and the hymn, “Fierce Raged the Tempest” (Dykes), were splendidly given, after which the Champion Choir Shield was presented by Mr. A. Menzies, president of the society.

The appearance of Mr. H. C. Borradale, the elocutionary judge, in several items also gave added interest to the entertainment. His recitation “Earthenware” was followed with almost deafening applause, while his encore number, “Naughty Word,” proved to be even more popular. Mr. Borradale has had considerable success as an entertainer on the professional stage, and his reappearance in that capacity was warmly appreciated. A pianoforte solo, “Ballade in G minor” (Chopin), by Mr. Eric Bell, this year’s champion pianist, was also of considerable interest. His performance which was of a high standard was warmly received.

Miss Cecil Hall’s delightful “Ballet Romantique.” items by the St. Thomas’s and Epiphany Choirs, Bayfield district school choir, and a large number of successful competitors, comprised the balance of an entertaining and most enjoyable programme. Programmes of equal quality have been promised at the additional concerts to be givenu this evening and on Saturday night next. BALLET COMPETITION In the ballet competition held on Saturday evening the following awards were made: Ballet Romantique, 90 points .... 1 Spanish Ballet, S 3 points 2 Dutch Ballet, 79 points 3 Commenting on the class, the judge, Madame Eugenie Dennis, said that it was not of a very high standard. The “Ballet Romantique” was wholly charming and deserved the highest praise.