Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-04
The Orleans Musical Society.

The Orleans County Musical Society
assembled at Coventry on Wednesday of
last week, and continued its exercises two
days, including the evening of each day.
These conventions, as they may be
termed, are useful in a variety Of ways,
and are becoming more so every year
To say nothing Of the interchange Of
friendly salutations and good feeling, or
the spirit Of emulation that is fostcred
between the different towns in the dispen-
sation Of the Inequalities usual on such
occasions, we think that merely as a hol-
iday that these gatherings more than pay
We are emincntly an industrious people,
ard have so far degeneratcd in our wor-
ship Of that austere virtue that a holiday
is scarcely allowed from january to De-
ccmber. Taking it for granted that the
young think as we think and feel as we
feel, we have driven them to the alterna-
tive Of becoming little old women and
little old men prematarely, or to seek for
amusement at such places, at such hours,
and in such ways as a high minded, en-
ligbtened community should and will dis
countcnance.
We 60 for amusements; be this un-
derstood. But we at the same lime say
that amusements that merely crafty the
passions, are not elcya!ing, but tend to
lower the character and exclude refine
ment, and serve only to divert the mind
from acquiring any solid good either in
the pursuit Of wealth or knowledge or in
the pursuit Of moral or religious truths.
We have but few gatherings compared
with the good old times in which all, young
and old, find pleasure, and that of an ex-
alting nature. OF course while middle
age is busy at work and old age seeks re-
pose by the freside, our youth are seek
ing for pleasure in scenes that require the
shrewdest tactics and the utmost deceit to
keep the parent and the public from a
true view Of what is done.
Such gatherings as the one at Coventry
last week are Of a different genus and
unlike in tendency. While these singing
conventions have for leaders men and
women whose aim and whose mission is to
raise the standard of church psalmody
above the conference meeting style, we
may be satisfied that not only in the light
Of a holiday, but as day of mental la
boz, they are not to be overrated.
The exercises at Coventry were under
the lead Of Mr.. S. A. Ellis of St. Johns
bury who though suffering from a severe
asthma, and laboring under the additional
disadvantage Of succeeding Mr.. Wheeler,
discharged the duties with ability and
success. The chorusses from Bakers
new work were selected from the old
composers, and the mere fact of their in
PRODUCTION and successful performance is
evidence Of the advance our community
are making scientifically. In fact we
shall not tolerate the Mason or Wood
bury style, the Yankee Doodle or Coro-
nation form much longer, no matter how
dexterously served up. Mozart, Bee
thoyen, Mendelssohn, Bellini, or some
other classical name must be attached to
music to make it 90 down. No Boston
man has done more to raise the standard
Of sacred song than b. T. Baker. His
new work, although Astounding in blem.
ishes, Is a long stride in advance of any
singing book given to the public of late.
Space will not ADM: of a criticism in this
paper, but we will say that the Orleans
Musical Society are under great obliga-
fion to Mr.. Ellis for introducing Mr.. Ba-
ker's work TO their notice.
The convention was folly attended by
the singing community, and the perform
ances both solo and chorus, were clever
The chorusses were sustained by a strong
corps OF instruments, led by one Of Vose's
semi-grand Piauotortes, furnished by Mr..
Parker Of Coventry. Any one who was
present would readily distinguish the diff
ference between such an instrument and
those gathering auction room concerns
that are pedd.-d about the country for
good pianos by irresponsible men. The
next meeting Of the society will be at
Derby in June next. Nay it be as sue
cessiul as the last.
ca The Frontier Seatiael is the name
Of new paper just started at Stanstead
c. f., edited by Elias Lee, and JUDGING
from certain signs, we should say assisted
by +. c. Iarrington-him that used to
propel the North Union at West Charlie