An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Deo-gréine > Volume 1, October 1905-September 1906

3Q
AN DEO-GHREINE.
suitable copy of their music to the accompan¬
ist ; and yet, they hand him a tattered cutting
from some newspaper containing the melody
of their song in sol-fa. It is well known that
the Comunn Gaidhealach offer prizes for the
rendering of Gaelic songs and melodies, and
yet, competitors come forward with Gaelic
translations of English songs which they sing
to their traditional melodies—and even carry
off prizes for such an outrage on the aims of
the Mod.
Instrumental Music.
1 Solo Singing with Clarsach accompani¬
ment. Entered 2 ; competed 2.
1 Ella MacDougall, Greenock, £3.
2 Lizzie Mackenzie, Petty, £2.
2 Playing a selection of Airs on the Clar¬
sach. Entered 2 ; competed 2.
1 Ella MacDougall, Greenock, £3.
2 Rev. D. MacEchem, Coll, £2.
So long as these competitions are confined
to two or three persons, it is a question for the
Comunn to consider whether they should con¬
tinue them.
3 Violin Playing. Two song airs, three
strathspeys and three reels. Entered 6 ; com¬
peted 5.
1 William Sutherland, Inverness, gold
medal.
2 DonaldMorison,Inverness,silver medal.
4 Pianoforte Playing. Three strathspeys
•and three reels. Confined to Amateurs. En¬
tered 10 ; competed 10.
1 Olive Helen Murray,Stornoway,^"2 10s.
2 Mrs. MacDonald, Kiltarlity, 10s.
3 Undecided.
The musical judges for the senior singing
and clarsach playing competitions were W. H.
Murray and John Bell, Mus. Doc., both from
Glasgow. Mr. Murray has for many years
acted as judge, his findings giving much satis¬
faction. Dr. Bell also acted as judge at the
Glasgow Mod of 1901, and has shown deep
interest in the Comunn and its aims. In the
competitions open to non-Gaelic speakers, John
Whyte and Rev. Neil Ross, acted as judges in
regard to the Gaelic pronunciation and expres¬
sion.
We have pleasure in giving the following
article by Mr, Murray, which, we are sure,
will be read with great interest.
“I count it a great compliment and honour
that for eight Mods in succession I have been
appointed one of the adjudicators for singing.
With such an experience, I am in a position,
better than most, to give some indication of
the progress made—from the musical point of
view—during these seven years.
Year by year it has been becoming more
difficult for singers to secure the highest hon¬
ours. Gradually, the number who reach a
plane of real excellence has been increasing,
and the Dingwall Mod has touched the highest
yet obtained. Seven years ago, there were a
few outstanding voices, some fairly good, and
the majority under even that classification.
Now, the majority in all the competitions
reach a high level; and the struggle for the
highest places is keen indeed. In proof of this
I will tabulate the marks I gave in two of the
principal competitions, comparing the year
1898 with 1905. The markings are my own
alone. My different coadjutors would doubtless
vary from me to some extent. But, for the
present purpose, my own figures will suffice.
Medal Competition.
Number
Competing.
1898 23
1905 32
Percentage of Marks gained.
Under 60 to 70 to 80 to Over
60. 69. 79. 89. 90.
4 4 10 5 0
Open Competition.
8
H
Similar results obtain in almost all the com¬
petitions ; and, to show how high, this year,
the level rose : in the “Grain Mhora” competi¬
tion only one singer has less than 80 per cent,
of marks, and five had over 90 per cent.
The singing of the juveniles also shows a
distinct advance. Of the 30 girls and boys
who competed in solo-singing, 18 gained over
80 per cent, of marks. In 1898, none of the 6
children who then came forward reached such
a position. Sweetness is now the rule in the
children’s singing. Attempts to force the lower
registers, which, in former years, were quite
common, have now become rare. Unquestion¬
ably there is much good material preparing
for future Mods ; and from Poolewe, Mary-
burgh and Inverness there is promise of coming
prize-takers and medallists. Might I give a
hint to their teachers. Whilst songs with a
range suitable for young voices are somewhat
limited in number, so that some repetition Mid
consequent monotony must always be expected
in children’s competitions, there was this year
a distinct, and, I think, unnecessary want of
variety and freshness in the songs chosen.
In duet singing, every year has shown an
advance upon its predecessor. In 1898 no
marks over 70 per cent were gained. This year
there was none under 80 per cent; and 4 reached
90 per cent, and over.
In quartet singing, the advance has not been
quite so marked ; but the progress has been
steadily upwards.
The difference in seven years in the choir
section (mixed voices and female voices) is not
great. All through the years4 there has been