Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1856-10-01
The Musical Convention.

Reported for the Bellows Falls Times.
The annual Session of the Vermont Cen
trail Musical Society was holden AT Chester,
commencing Tuesday, Sept, %, 1856, and
closing on Thursday evening, after an in
teresting and profitable session of three
DAYS. The exercises we're under the direc-
ton of Prof b.. F. Baker, assisted by those
general favorites and een,lemanly artists,
Prof Ball and Prof Henderson with the
'pretty little pocket edition Of lady vocal
ist," Mrs. Little, whose voice is as remark
able for elearness, accuracy and compass as
for being well trained and well managed.
This association was formed some ten
years ago, and was originally intended as a
County Society, for the county Of Windham
but as its aim and object became known, and
its popularity grew in greatness, amateurs
from other counties and from New Hamp-
shire began to attend its meetings. and conse-
quently it was thought advisable by those !
originally interested in the Success of the So
cieiy to give il a more extensive name than |
county association seemed 10 intimate and
it was called by the inviting name which il
now bears There are now some three hun |
dred members who attend the regular meet
ings.
The first day of the present session was
unfavorable so far as the weather was CON
cerned-it being cold and rainy with every
! prospect of an equinoxial sioIm, yet there
| was present on the first day nearly the
us ial number of singers, and this number
was afterwards increased to about two hun
| bred and fifty. The exercises Of the Soci-
ely were Of high intesest throughout, and
the closing Concert proved rich treat to
the listeners | have seldom heard at mu
steal conventions in this part of the country
better Accomplishments or so good solo. Duet
and quartet singing Mrs Little never APP
peared in better voice, and never 'discours.
ed better music" than on this occasion She
sustained the most difficult parts perfectly
and she sings like an artist who has already
mastered the chief difficulties Of yocalism
Prof Ball, always good as the wheat" was
on this occasion either in better voice than
ever or sang with more of that sympathy so
essential to the highest achievements of
genius. His voice is as true as die, and
his execution clear, rapid, and brilliant. lie
has the ability of making his words as well
as music distinctly heard 10 large room.
These two singers were much and equally
applauded, not simply by friends bat BY adj
mirers. Prof Henderson was no less true
TO the accompaniment than were the sing
ers to their parts. He is of the best vince
accompanies have lately heard. Heknows
his business, attends to it and does it all to
perfection.
The reader, however, must not suppose
!, that these stars from Boston were the only
+, musical attractions of the time and place
there we're great many other performer:
present, male and female, who equally de-
5 serve credit and who received appreciation
1 for their successful efforts. Among these
the following took some parts in the exer
1 cises which caused me to notice them -
Messrs. Kimball, Wyman, Henry, Sabin
Williams, Taft, Stone. Whitney, and Ink
/ ham. and among the ladies, Miss. Kimball
e Onion, Blodget, Harris, Smith and Fletch
e er. While in the orchestra, | was gratiffe,
!, TO see and hear from, Wells Of New Haven
IS Perkins OF Taftsville, Spencer Of Paper
DIo,L IF Ebassar and Otbor.
!, think this new feature in our Convention
S. Of attempting to form and educate goo
II Orchestra, is one of incalculable value, ant
k / hope the attempt viii meet with full AM
complete success.
During the closing Concert, at reces:
/ Rev. Samuel Day of Bellows Falls bein
=, called up by the President of the Society
81 and urged to make some remarks, rose an
&c made most remarkable, pithy, appropriai
g and musical address; his points were !
d good and his illusions to the society and j
E. officers so happy, he was heartily and II
S peaiedIy cheered by the whole honse, an
his excellent address added much to The il
terest of the evening.
d. After Mr. Day had spoken, several spi
st. tied and appropriate resolutions were ofie
n ed and adopted, among which ! noticed or
commenting the sBoston Musical Journs
Bakers Church Music Book, and the Unic
e Glee Book. Other resolutions complimen
m ing the officers Of the society, Profssso
Baker. Ball, and Henderson and the SINCE
generally as wei as the Orchestra, and OF
IL allnding to the LirrLE star with the ma
al ni6cent voice, which was received with
- shower Of applause. The resolutions clos,
al with proper votes oil thanks TO The c1tize'
h. of Chester and 10 ali who had tskeE intsre