Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-04-04
Musical Convention AT PrOctOrs-
VILE.


A large aamber of the lovers of music,
both instrumental and vocal assembled in
convention at Proctorsyille, March %. An
organization was effected by the choice of
don. Ryiand Fletcher of Cavendish, as
President, and Gilbert 4. Davis, Esq, Of
Felchvile as Secretary.
The exercises were conductedby Messrs.
Geo. NJ. Clark Of Felchyiile, and G. f..
Benjamin of South Woodstock. The in
structon and drill in the proper execution
of sacred music was thorough and valuable,
and cannot fail to show its effect in the i'm
proved character of oar church music. The
Concerts were certainly the most attractive
and entertaining part of the exercises, and
drew together on each evening more than
the Methodist church could hold, though
crowded to its utmost capacity. On Thurs
day evening Gov. Fletcher presided, and
in very happy manner announced the pro-
gramme. On Friday evening DR.. d. r.
Story occupied the same position, and very
creditably discharged its duties. 1t will be
impossible to mention all the performers at
these concerts, who accep,ably took part in
them; the limits of this article forbid it,
There were no failures, am happy to say,
and very few performances that one would
wish to criticise very severely. The An
thems we're generally well executed, and
showed much patient study of them, both
on the part of the conductors and the men,
bers of the convention. The want of indie
pendence shown by the tenor singers in a
few instances, will be overcome by proper
trials.
The principal feature of these concerts
was the performance of an original An
them, of Mr.. Geo. M. Clark, entitled
Praise the Lord 1t was received with
marked approval and evinced the possess
sion by its composer of high order of mu-
steal talent. The whole convention were
required for its execution, assisted by
very efficient orchestra. Its most attract
i've feature was an alto solo, sung by Miss
Nellie Goodell of Felchville. The soprano
was well sustained by Miss Webster.
There was large variety of songs,
Duets, quartettes, etc, every performance
deserving special mention. Mr.. AFRO White
treated us to some of these jolly inimitable
songs, in which he has no superior, and
which brought down the house with en-
phasis. The "Well Digger of Maine ;"
was capitally sung by Mr.. Clark. The
Marseilles, sung by Mr.. G. F. Benjamin,
was well received. Mr.. f. f. Skinner
evinced much musical taste and ability. and
his close attention to the physical wants of
the members Of the convention has placed
them under lasting obligations to him.
For instrumental music there was Duet
(piano) performed by Miss L. Hawkins
and Miss Z. Story, clarionet solo Yankee
Doodle, with variations,) by Mr.. 0. A.
Whittemore, and g Fort Donelson March,"
by the full orchestra. Miss Jennie Pratt.
a pupil of Prof. B. F. Baker. presided at
the piano during the convention, with mark
ed ability.
The citizens Of Proctorsville cheerf1lly
welcomed to their homes, the singers from
abroad, and were unsparing in their at
tempts TO add to their comfort and pleasure.
Their public spirit is worthy of imitation.
The singing in our churches is done gra,u-
itously; these conventions afford fine on
portunity for its improvement the conclu-
sion, then, is plain, that all lovers of sacred
music should encourage these gatherings.
and / must add, that the audience mani
Tested cultivated taste--were capable of
approaching the higher grades of musical
composiion--and ready to manifest their
their approval of well executed anthem.
or the more common class of church music.
An adjourned session of this convention
will be held at Felchville, in May next.
Singers from abroad will be gladly well
coined there.
ought not TO close without an allusion,
at least to the public speeches which were
delivered on Thursday and Friday evenings
by some of the literary gentlemen of Cav
endish. While showing a hearty co-opera-
ton with the convention, in their laudable
desire for improvement, their remarks were
seasoned with wit and anecdote, and con-
stituted very entertaining part of the pro-
gramme. The acurgf the clergy was Ger
tainly entertaining, and as i write there is
still ringing in my ears the echo of the
broadsides hurled at each other. Ex-Gov.
Fletcher, Judge French, c. II. Chapman,
Esq, Rev. w. Skinner and others were
among the speakers. LEX.
LoYALIsTs IN TENNEssEE.-A cores
pendent at Nashville, Tenn, writing on the
Sd instant gives some interesting incidents