South Yorkshire Times, November 24th 1951
A Splendid Send-Off for Dearne Music Festival
Adjudicator High Commendation
Mr. Alec Redshaw, one of Saturday’s two adjudicators at Dearne District Music Festival, told his evening audience if I am doing a bit of commercial travelling on behalf of your committee, I don’t feel the least bit guilty, because I know the goods being offered are of the highest quality.
He was setting the seal to the deep gratification the committee must indeed have felt at the obvious pleasure this revival offered to a crowded hall. The festival owed its inception to the desire of Goldthorpe Chamber of Trade to contribute their quota to Dearne’s Festival of Britain celebrations, and was encouraged by their awareness of the high standard of musical ability in South Yorkshire. This too, was underlined by Mr. Redshaw in his closing compliment to the committee when he said “As a visitor I feel you are extremely fortunate in this part of Yorkshire to have a festival like this. I understand that although this is its first year under the present regime, it has been in existence before. The fact remains that it has come to life again – and in no uncertain terms. You are very fortunate in having so much talent in this part of the world
I think you will agree that you have heard a programme not only to interest you, but to give an enormous amount of pleasure. If you haven’t had pleasure out of this evening’s programme you should not have been here, for it has been a most lovely concert programme.
“Special Occasion”
“You have, perhaps, been intrigued by the circumstances and ramifications of an event like this. We can honestly say it has been a very special occasion.” Mr. Redshaw told his audience they too, were part of the festival, an event of this kind could not be maintained without financial support and he had no qualms about his “commercial travelling.” “It is up to you, in your loyalty, to support this magnificent work which is being done.”
His fellow adjudicator, Dr. Douglas Hopkins said “I was delighted to hear your President Mr. T. H. Barker J.P. referring to “next year” without any ado. This festival had been extremely well organised. I have had a very enjoyable day especially because the organisation has been perfectly smooth and there has been no fuss nor officiousness. Some festivals are so highly organised you haven’t a moment to enjoy yourselves. I have received nothing but kindness today and I very much hope that next year the cry will be ‘standing room only’.”
“Just the Beginning”
Mr. T. H. Barker J.P. said his own message of appreciation was something more than a privilege and greater than a pleasure. They were extremely grateful to their efficient and graceful adjudicators. They were grateful too to Goldthorpe Chamber of Trade, the spirit behind this festival. It was their hope that this was just the beginning.
“I would remind the audience that while this is a one-day festival, it represents nine months of really hard work. Even so, it would not have been possible without our very efficient Secretary Mr. Clarence Fretwell, our Chairman the Rev. J. Brown and members of the committee who have done all the work and let me come along to do the talking.”
To the competitors he added thank you for a wonderful day: to the audience thank you for your support and may I take this opportunity of appealing to you to leave this hall as missionaries to prepare for next year’s festival. Tell your friends it is well worthwhile. These closing compliments rounded off a delightful day of music in two centres in Goldthorpe – the Modern School and the Welfare Hall. During the day the adjudicators had chosen competitors from each class to compete in the evening finals, first of which was the junior solo challenge class, comprising piano forte and girls’ and boys’ treble solos. This was indeed a triumph for Miss Sheila Bladen (picture), of Great Houghton, who, with her singing of Bairstow’s “Trust in the Springtime” won the ‘Neobri’ trophy presented by Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Probert.
A Lovely Voice
Said Mr. Redshaw: “This morning she gave a performance which was quite outstanding, she has a lovely voice, but she is a singer by nature.” He said Miss Bladen had reached what he would describe as a “danger” point. There was, in her lovely voice, a “flicker.” It was her duty to herself and to her talent to get rid of that “flicker.” She was going to be one of the best singers, therefore she must get into line with the best. Referring to her performance there was warmth, real flexibility and continuity. Her work was alive. “We loved her singing.” Dr. Hopkins announcing the trophy award said “there is no doubt whatever.”
The four other finalists – winners of their classes – were Alan Atkinson (Mexborough), Arthur Crookes (Bolton on Dearne), Pauline Kilburn (Goldthorpe), and Margaret Mitchell (Thurnscoe).
The shield presented by Goldthorpe Chamber of Trade for junior choirs was among the most enthusiastic acclaim by Thurnscoe Junior Girls, conducted by Mrs. Coak. Mexborough Adwick Road Modern School (Mr. L. Smith) were second and great Houghton Co-operative Junior Choir (Mr. R. Taylor) third
Of the class Mr. Redshaw said: “One of the most interesting junior choir classes I have listened to for some time.” Of the winners: “Everything they did was beautifully done yet it was never artificial. It was indeed a fine and lovely performance.”
Nine-year-old Doreen Roper went onto the platform to receive their shield from Mr. Redshaw on behalf of the choir
The challenge cup present by the “South Yorkshire Times” Printing Co Ltd., was won by Houghton Main Male quartet who were awarded 85 and 86 (171) for their singing of German’s “O Peaceful Night.” Second were Ewell “B” (Woodlands) and third St Hilda’s (Thurnscoe). Of the winners Dr. Hopkins said they had a very good sense of ensemble singing. They were conscious of the colour of the words and they reproduced that colour in their singing. The adult solo challenge class for which was offered a silver rose bowl presented by Dearne and District Amateur Operatic Society had as finalists Irene Oldham (Barnsley), Betty Brooke (Thurnscoe), Sheila Bladen (Great Houghton), Dennis Turner (Warmsworth) and Harry Yates (Rossington). Said Dr. Hopkins, five very interesting performances. We were very impressed by the singing of Sheila Bladen. He was however going to pick out two; Miss Bladen and Mr. Yates, and between them Mr. Yates was the winner. A bass-baritone he sang Schuman’s “The Two Grenadiers” and he gave a very fine performance. Everything he had done had enhanced the meaning of the words and the rich quality of his voice was most suited to the song.
Thurnscoe Harmonic
Probably the most interesting class of the festival was the concluding male voice choirs’ class in which Thurnscoe Harmonic conducted by Mr. E. A. Smith repeated their performance of Mexborough Festival by winning the shield presented by the Barnsley British Co-operative Society Ltd. They beat Mexborough by six marks and Creswell Colliery by eight. Five choirs competed, and of them Mr Redshaw said we have had five jolly good male voice choirs. There are not many festivals which can produce five choirs as good as these.
With an “own choice” the test piece was Bantocks Drinking Song “Down Among the Dead Men” and to the choirs Mr. Redshaw said: “in many cases you are really most respectable (Laughter). It has to have abandon, it has not to be taken too literally. It refers to empty bottles – of a certain kind- and you are singing this song presumably having emptied those bottles. Far be it from me to suggest you go out to rehearse it before you start however (Laughter).”
One choir – the British Legion Male Voice Choir, “did act it most convincingly though their technical accomplishments may not have been good as those of the other competing choirs”.
Comment on choirs
His summarised comments of the five choirs:
Mexborough – this is a very good ensemble for this or any other song. Care for words; very excellent care for pace; very well-rehearsed, intonation and chording maintained with complete success. Notable for briskness of attack, aided by skilful colouring. It was in effect, a very fine performance from an altogether too respectable crowd of people.
In “The Silent Land” (Woodgate) here we felt there was excellent organisation’ missing something in flexibility. We feel diction is to this quite a most important item. It is obviously the outcome of deep thinking and thorough rehearsal. Though just missing its rhythmic momentum. We were very impressed by the security – not solidarity. This singing is quite impressive.
Houghton Main – tone pleasing but lacking in wealth of colour. Words left much to be desired in quality of colour. “Of Feasting I Watch” (Elgar): did not quite get the character, it was too tame, it was reticent when it should sweep us up in its brilliance. Some pleasing tone, but we beg of you to make much more use of it. A really good choir, but we feel you have not made the most of your opportunities.
Wath British Legion – Here was a smaller choir, but they had more vitality and there was a firmness until the allegro, when they lost something of their security. Don’t be tempted to over sing, especially the tenors, to achieve your brilliance. But there is real vitality here. This was the choir that acted so well. The pace was so well in character. We have to take our hats off to them in the matter of the excitement and the freedom and abandon of the song. They were not so good in “Music When Soft Voices Die.” They turned theirs in something dynamic and explosive; they gave it an intensity which it does not possess.
A very good choir but not quite convincing in the message we hoped to receive from them.
Thurnscoe Harmonic
This was the first choir we saw without copies of the music. It was a most impressive attack. The choir has a wealth of tone which it is never afraid to use. It employs it to achieve all the brilliance of Bantock picture. Obviously, this choir takes it drinking very seriously (laughter). It was a very good performance. I felt they took it rather seriously because, perhaps, there were so many “dead men” about and not many “live men.” Of “How Sweet the Brave” Bantock had style and character; a great deal of it. You could not have had a greater contrast in songs, but they created from the beginning the atmosphere which was right for this song. The final diminuendo was very well done. It was singing of character which could only be the outcome of fine and deep thinking by the conductor and signers. It was very stylish. Very polished and I think we all owe them a debt of gratitude because that lovely item was the final item of the festival, and with that music still ringing in our ears we should be able to sleep well – all except Dr. Hopkins, who has to travel all night (Laughter).
The Results
Junior Pianoforte: Alan Atkinson (Mexborough) 87; Roger J. Cobbold (Sheffield) 86; Elsie Outram (Wombwell) 85.
Boys Treble Solo: Arthur Crookes (Bolton) 174; Roger J. Cobbold 172 (Sheffield); Robert Anthony Roper (Thurnscoe 171.
Contralto Solo: Irene Oldham (Barnsley) 81; June Lappage (Royston) 80; E. Joan Park (Great Houghton) 79, Joan Sugden (Barnsley) 79.
Soprano Solo: Betty G. Brooke (Thurnscoe) 84; Patricia Hough (Wombwell) 80; Angela Lockwood (Grimethorpe) 79, Bertha Mitson (Barnsley) 79.
Tenor Solo: Dennis Turner (Warmsworth) 84; F. C. Garrett (Sheffield) 82; George Miller (Thurnscoe) 82; Ernest V Carver (Thurnscoe) 81.
Bass-Baritone: Harry Yates (Rossington) 85; Maurice W. Carver (Bolton) 84; L. Armes (Wath) 83, Jack Coldron (Bolton) 83.
Quartet: Houghton Main 171; Ewell B (Woodlands) 169; St Hilda’s (Thurnscoe) 166.
Girls Treble Solo under 14: Pauline Kilburn (Goldthorpe) 173; Pauline M. Gregory (Thurnscoe) 171; Judith Brown (Doncaster) 169.
Girls Treble Solo 14-18: Sheila Bladen (Great Houghton) 176; Shirley Pierson (Thurnscoe) 169; Angela M. Lockwood (Grimethorpe) 167.
Piano-Forte Solo 13-17: Margaret Mitchell (Thurnscoe) 168; Jack Hall (Wombwell) 165; Edith Etheridge (Wombwell) 164.
Junior Choirs: Thurnscoe Junior Girls 344; Mexborough Adwick Road Modern 340; Great Houghton Co-operative Junior 333
Mezzo-Soprano: Sheila Bladen (Great Houghton) 85; Mary Hoyland (Barnsley) 82.
Junior Challenge Class: Sheila Bladen.
Adult Challenge Class: Harry Yates (Rossington).
Male Voice Choirs: Thurnscoe Harmonic 176; Mexborough 170; Creswell 168.