permanent contributed

when playing in the orchestra . The Quartet played the "Renaissance Suite" by Chagrin in whichthey displayed great poise .Any solo item is a nerve-racking affair for the performer but none more so than one on astringed instrument, which betrays the slightest trembling of hand or arm . Rosemary Jacobs andHilary Neve both braved this ordeal and neither took the easy way out, for Rosemary's violin solo,"Czardas" by Twinn, and Hilary's 'cello solo, "Tarantella" by Squire, were technically quitetricky . Both are to be congratulated on their performances .The final solo was the "Andante" from Rimsky-Korsakov's Trombone Concerto, played byKevin Hathway . Kevin handled the instrument with obvious skill and made good use of whatacoustic qualities the building possessed . His performance was most professional . J. P .THE MAIR CUP COMPETITIONAs the fifth Inter-House Music Competition approached, the spirit of competition ran highthroughout the College . There were anxious moments for organisers in choosing and arranging anappealing and different programme within the specified time limit . For the first time, there seemedno marked favourite and the organisers, bearing in mind comments from previous adjudicators,had endeavoured to include more students among their performers than before .Gloucester House had the unenviable task of setting the evening's entertainment in motion .They offered variety in their enterprising choice of brass and involved a large number of the Housein their comic piece .Wells and Salisbury were congratulated on their good rhythm and good diction but wereencouraged by Mrs . Dugdale "to act" more in their endeavour to convey to the audience theirenjoyment in the music .Norwich proved an early favourite, performing third in the evening . The skilful managementof their director, Hathway, coupled with the cheerful enthusiasm of all performers, gave an impressionof delightful professionalism .York's programme was most entertaining to all, not only to those who hail from Somerset .In contrast followed Winchester's sweet clear singing and an excellent piano duet from Durham,which made a lively starter to their performance .Westminster produced a new instrument for the competition-an accordion-played very wellto accompanying the singing . Good tone from the choir compared well with the delightful entertainmentin "She said" . Worcester followed with pleasing contributions from a large choir. A newmember of Wakefield, Virginia Campbell, impressed school and adjudicator alike with her tunefulrendering of" Freight Train", later included in the Easter Concert .Canterbury, last year's winner, offered good professional tone in "Our House", and againMoore proved himself an accomplished "unsquare" pianist . Last, but by no means least, cameWashington offering an enterprising use of instrumentalists and singers . A great deal of thoughthad gone into selecting a suitable programme to include the musical talent in the House to the bestadvantage .Before delivering her verdict, after receiving a warm welcome from Mr . Wolsey, Mrs . Dugdalecongratulated all on the variety of the items and the inclusion of so many house representatives inthe performances . The instrumentalists received a special mention and kindly words of encouragement.Presentation and appearance were commended and a word of advice given : melody must beenjoyed and believed in, and this must be remembered when selecting items . The audience mustbe convinced of the performers' enjoyment, and it is therefore necessary to forget self and to act(with eyes and faces) .At last, to a silent expectant hall, Norwich House was acclaimed the winner, Westminstersecond and Washington third . After the presentation of the trophy by Mrs . Wolsey, Norwichselected their "Silver Trumpet" as a triumphant end to a most enjoyable evening .M.W.B .