Radio Voices

New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 430, 19 September 1947, Page 9

Radio Voices

(\NE of the most interesting sections in the Dunedin Competitions was the quest for a Radio Voice. After all,

a ao it 18 little use for a singer to parti¢ipate with success in competitions and examinations unless his or her voice is heard by an appreciative audience, and radio here plays a big part in providing such an audience ready-made. The more we hear of our best local artists the better, but it requires a competent judge to select which of them are good enough to be heard on the air. As the judge of this section pointed out, there is more to a radio performance than the ability to stand before the microphone and sing without. nervousness; and in awarding the prize to Rema Smith, he stated that it was this singer’s personality as well as her vocal ability which qualified her to win the section.. Listening in the non-competitive atmosphere of my own home, without the distraction of a tense, audience and the imminence of the judge’s box, I couldn’t help regretting the necessity of choosing between the three singers whom I heard-all three possessed good broadcasting voices, and used them well, and in addition all three sang so clearly that all their words were audible. I hope that these three, having tried themselves out in this comPetition before the 4YA microphone, will be given the opportunity to present regular radio recitals, together with the best competitors of the ‘other sections of the competitions. If competitions are not held to bring to light the best of the younger taleut, for what purpose are they held? —