An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Deo-gréine > Volume 16, October 1920-September 1921

£N DEO-GREINE.
Oban to attend such gatherings, and it was
desirable that they should have opportunities
of hearing the old songs in the cities to which
they had gone.
The Programme.
The programme was one of exceptional
interest. After the National Anthem had
been sung in Gaelic, the concert appropriately
opened with bagpipe selections skilfully per¬
formed by the Argyll Mountain Battery Pipe
Band, and with the rallying song of the
Comunn, “ Suas leis a’ Ghaidhlig,” joined in by
the whole audience. Thoroughly satisfying
performances were given by Miss MacAskill and
Mr. Kenneth MacRae, the Oban Mod gold
medallists, and by Miss Flora M'Neill, the gold
medallist of last year’s Mod. A charming
item was provided by Miss Margaret Macpher-
son and Miss Flora MacLean, the winners of
the duet competition. Miss Myrtle Campbell,
who divided the first prize for Oran Mor sing¬
ing with Miss J. M. B. Currie, gave a delightful
inte‘. retation of the prize song, while Miss
Currie, as a first-prize winner in instrumental
music, contributed a skilfully-played selection
on the pianoforte. A fine example of quartette
singing was given by the first prize quartette.
An excellent impression was created by Mr.
Neil MacLean, Oban, the winner of the Oban
and Lorn Commemoration Medal. Mr.
Roderick MacLeod, Inverness, who is still the
prince of Gaelic singers, Aroused his audience
to a high pitch of enthusiasm by his solo work.
Combined with a thorough knowledge of Gaelic,
Mr MacLeod possesses a fine musical tempera¬
ment. He has also that rare quality in a
singer, personal magnetism, and he is a master
of interpretation. His principal contributions
were “ Oran an bSamhraidh ” (E. MacLachlan)
and “ La Blar lonar Lochaidh ” (Iain Lorn).
Another feature of the performance was the
singing of “ Tog orm mo Phiob,” the test song,
by the combined choirs. Led by their respec¬
tive conductors, the Dundee Male Voice Choir,
the Oban Ladies’ Choir, and the full Glasgow
Choir, who secured the Lovat and Tullibardine
Shield, all gave most effective performances.
The combined choirs, under the direction of
Mr. MacConochie, sang, " Till, till oigh mo
ruin ” with fine spirit. By general request,
Mi-. Roberton afterwards conducted the choirs
in this piece, and under his magnetic per¬
sonality the music was sung in a manner which
inspired the audience. A memorable concert
was brought to a close, the audience upstand¬
ing, by a recital of the old Psalm tune,
“ French,” by the combined choirs, Mr.
Roderick MacLeod acting as precentor. The
recital had a grandeur of treatment which
greatly impressed the audience. The piano¬
forte accompaniments, often difficult, elusive,
and obscure, were wonderfully handled by Mr.
Julian Nesbitt.
During an interval in the programme of the
second concert, the Lovat and Tullibardine
Shield and other leading prizes were presented
by Lady Elspeth Campbell.
A very successful dance, arranged for by the
Oban Committee, was held in the Argyllshire
Gathering Hall on Friday evening.
The annual meeting was held on Saturday
morning, when the Executive Council was
elected. A report of the proceedings will
appear in dur next issue.
THE PRIZE LIST.
JUNIOR SECTION.
LITERATURE.
Letter on a simple subject chosen from a list
sent under sealed cover, to be opened by the
Local Examiner after places have been taken
foi the competition. Prizes—1st, 10s: 2nd,
Book.
1, John MacDonald, Broadford; 2, Miss
Angusina MacMillan, Dervaig; 3, J. MacLean,
Broadford; 4, Archie MacMillan, do.; 5, Miss
Margaret Campbell, do.; 6, Miss Louisa Mac¬
Leod, do.
Writing from Dictation of an unfamiliar Piece
of Prose, slowly read by the Teacher or other
competent person. Prizes—1st, 10s; 2nd,
7s 6d; 3rd, 5s; 4th, 2s 6d; 5th, a Book.
1, John MacDonald, Broadford; 2, Miss
Angusina MacMillan, Dervaig; 3, Miss Helen
T. MacMillan, do.; 4, Miss Margaret Campbell,
Broadford; 5, J. MacLean, do.
Reproduction in Writing of an unfamiliar Piece
of Prose, to be read three times in the hear¬
ing of the competitors. Prizes—1st, 10s;
2nd, 7s 6d; 3rd, 5s; 4th, 2s 6d; 5th, a Book.
1, John MacDonald, Broadford; 2, J. Mac-
Lean, do.; 3, Archie MacMillan, do.; 4, Miss
Mima Matheson, do.; 5, Miss Effie Robertson, do.
Translation from Gaelic into English of 20 verses
from ii. Samuel, chapters 14 to 24; and from
English into Gaelic of 10 verses from St.
Luke’s Gospel, chapters 13 to 24. The verses
to be translated will be printed and sent in
a sealed cover which must not be opened
until places are taken for the competition.
Prizes—1st, £1 and “Caraid nan Gaidheal” ;
2nd, 10s and “ Caraid nan Gaidhea.”
1, Miss Helen T. MacMillan, Dervaig; 2, John
MacDonald, Broadford.
SPECIAL PRIZES FOR TEACHERS.
(a) A First, Second, and Third Prize of £3, £2,
and £1 respectively will be given to the
Teachers whose Pupils win the highest
average of marks.