An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Deo-gréine > Volume 17, October 1921 to September 1922

150
AN DEO-G HEINE.
was filled to overflowing, many people failing
to gain admission. The Eev. Malcolm
MacLeod introduced Mrs. Burnley Camp¬
bell, who said it was a splendid meeting, with
an extraordinary amount of local interest.
Mr. Hugh MacLean deserved great praise,
that he was a genius in the way he brought
out the best in his pupils. The singing was
so spontaneous and natural. For this reason
she enjoyed it more than the over elaboration
of the music at the big Mod, which loses the
traditional flavour, and which it is so
important to preserve. It should be borne
in mind that Mods were not the most
important part of An Comunn’s work, but
the keeping alive of the old language and
making use of it as an educational and
cultural asset. “No commercial value’’ was
such a silly phrase, as education was not only
adding up pounds, shillings, and pence, but
developing the intelligence and character,
forming good citizens capable of enjoying life
and beauty in all their forms. Those who
felt the ideals for which An Comunn stood
should exercise their power in electing
members of the Education Authorities who
are in favour of teaching Gaelic in the
schools.
The programme was sustained by the
first prize winners, and by Miss Jenny M.
B. Currie, Ford, and Miss Flora MacNeill,
Glasgow. A very high standard of excell¬
ence was reached by the winners, and the
concert was most enjoyable. The combined
choirs, led by Mr. Hugh MacLean, opened
with the rallying song, “Suas leis a’
Ghaidhlig,’’ the entire audience standing.
Seldom has the rallying song been sung with
better spirit and rhythm. Mr. Neil Shaw,
General Secretary, announced the names of
all the prize-winners before the close of the
concert. The Bev. Hector Cameron pro¬
posed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Burnley
Campbell for presiding, and this was
enthusiastically accorded. A memorable
gathering closed with the singing of
“Oidhche Mhath Leibh’’ and “Laoidh na
Bioghachd. ’’
The Committee responsible for the
arrangements of the Mod were representa¬
tives from the various Branches in the
province, with Mrs. Brown, Lochgilphead,
as Convener; Miss Jenny M. B. Currie,
Ford, Vice-Convener; Messrs. A. F.
MacLennan and Duncan Maclnnes, Joint
Secretaries; and Miss Jessie Gillies,
Treasurer. Mr. Hugh MacLean conducted
all the choirs except the Ford Junior choir,
which was led by Miss J. M. B. Currie.
Sir William Sutherland, M.P. for the
County, gave a donation of £5, which was
allocated as first and second prizes in the
senior choral competition, and the Glasgow
Mid Argyll Association presented two
volumes of the ‘ ‘ Songs of the Hebrides, ’ ’ and
these were awarded to the first prize-winners
in the senior solo competitions, male and
female voices, respectively.
The following is the prize-list: —
JUNIOR SECTION.
ORAL.
Reading with expression a piece of Poetry, chosen
by the competitor—1, Margaret MacLachlan,
Tayvallich; 2, Netta Gillies, Tayvallich; 3 (equal).
H. C. MacAlpine, Ardrishaig, and Mary MacLullich,
Tayvallich.
Reading a piece of Prose of not less than 200
words, chosen by competitor—1, May Sinclair.
Reciting from memory, “An gleann san robh mi
og”—1, Grace MacGilp, Ford; 2, Iain Urquhart,
Crarae.
Narrative based on some local incident, etc.—1,
Iain Urquhart, Crarae.
Gaelic Conversation—1, Iain Urquhart, Crarae;
2, James Gillies, Ford.
VOCAL.
Solo Singing of a Song—Girls—1, Mary Jane
MacRae, Tayvallich; 2, Annie Gumming, Ford; 3
(equal), Grace Johnstone, Ford, and Netta Gillies,
Tayvallich.
Solo Singing of a Song—Boys—1, James Gillies,
Ford; 2, H. C. MacAlpine, Ardrishaig; 3, James
Campbell, Ardrishaig.
Solo Singing of a Song—Girls and Boys—1, Grace
Johnstone, Ford; 2, Sarah Geddes, Ford; 3, Netta
Gillies, Tayvallich.
Choral Singing of a Song in Two-Port Harmony—
The prescribed songs were “Hug o’ laithill ohoro”
and “Theid mi ’gad amharc”—1, Ford Junior Gaelic
Choir; 2, Lochgilphead Junior Gaelic Choir; 3,
Tayvallich Junior Gaelic Choir.
Unison Singing of a Song—The prescribed songs
were “Agus Ho Mhorag” and “Oran Chloinn
Lachlainn”—1, Ford Junior Gaelic Choir; 2,
Tayvallich Junior Gaelic Choir; 3, Ardrishaig Junior
Gaelic Choir.
Special Prizes to Junior Members of Branches
scoring the Highest Aggregate of Marks—1, H. C.
MacAlpine, Ardrishaig; 2, James Gillies, Ford.
DANCING.
Dancing Highland Fling—1, Mary MacLean,
Talvallich; 2, Isobel Rankine, Lochgilphead; 3,
Mary MacTavish.
Dancing Sword Dance—1, Mary MacLean; 2,
Isobel Rankine.
SENIOR SECTION.
Reading at Sight an unfamiliar piece of Prose—1,
Mrs. Urquhart, Crarae; 2, James MacKellar, Tay¬
vallich; 3, Miss Alena MacLean, Craignish.
Recitation of a piece of Poetry chosen by Competi¬
tor—1, Miss Alena MacLean, Craignish; 2, James
MacKellar; 3, Neil MacLean, Craignish.
Sgeulachd—1, Donald Urquhart, Crarae.
VOCAL.
Solo Singing of a Song—Female Voices—1, Miss
Julia Brown, Lochgilphead; 2, Miss Jessie Ann
Gillies, Tayvallich; 3, Miss Bessie Campbell,
Ardrishaig, and Miss Ena Carmichael, Ford (equal).