The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-01-17
COMMUNICATION,

ED. REGISTER The convention OF
the wv estern Vermont Musical Associa-
ton" recently held at st. Albans, was a
decided success. Under the accomplish
ed and competent director, Prof. L. o.
Emerson of Boston, an amount of train
ing for the better rendering of that best
of all-sacred music-was given, which
has rarely if ever been equalled at any of
its previous meetings. The result of this
admirable training is a source of pleasure
to all interested, and can hardly fail of
being a great satisfaction to Prof. Emer-
son. 1t is no small task to get the COM
plete mastery of a body of singers collect
ed from all parts of the State, yet this
was done in a manner which reflects
much credit upon the director. Space,
or the want Of it rather, forbids any de-.
tailed account of the whole proceedings.
We can notice only the more striking fea-
lures of the concerts and these briefly.
Wednesday evening there was a public
rehearsal-a free concert. The attract
i've features of this were a humorous
poem by Mr.. Taylor, principal of the
academy, on ancient and modern singing
schools. AS a humorous poem it was
complete, but farther than that it will
not bear criticism.
The many friends of Rev. C. N.
Thomas will feel a just satisfaction in the
fact that here as everywhere, through all
the concerts, he was the leading singer, in
fact, the singer. Those who wish for a
irst-class renderer OF sacred and secular
music will have to travel far and look
long before finding his superior. The
''Arions' from Burlington attempted to
enliven the occasion with glee, but at
best it was indifferently done. The relief
felt by every one when they had finished
could only have been equalled by their
own chagrin ifthey had any conception
Of the magnitude of their failure.
Thursday evening we notice ia Cas-
cadc" and the Knocking Bird" piano
solos by Prot. Proctor of Burlington. To
say that these were fine does not express,
the merit they deserve. Burlington has
reason to feel proud of her accomplished
pianist.
The pianist of the Association gave
some comic song which were enthusiast
ically applauded. He is a superior rem
derer of comicalities, but all comic does
not satisfy. Mrs. Little sang several fine
songs, and among others the LAST Rose
Of Summer" Language fails to express
the charm with which this was executed.
Pleasing is not the word to express it.
Thrilling, enchanting, bewitching, are
feeble terms in comparison with the feel
ings excited.
The concert closed with the grand old
''Hallelpjah Chorus" from the "Mesi.
ah." This speaks for itself. Its title
conveys the impression it leaves better
than any feeble description can do. Lam
guage is too poor to represent it.
Friday evening the last and best of the
concerts was given. An Italian trio by
by Mrs. Little and Messrs. Thomas and
Leavitt. "When thy bosom heaves the
sigh" Daett by Mrs. Little and Mr..
Leavitt, and the closing anthem 'sThs
Heavens are telling from Haydsns Sore
alton" are all We have time TO notice. AL
these were well done, but the closing
anthem was the crowning effort Of the
whole affair. Supevlatively grand and
beautiful. Once heard, never to be for
gotten.
The resolutions adopted by the conven-
ton were too lengthy to be contained in
this short report. They were drawn by
Rev. Mr.. Dayton, formerly pastor of the
Methodist church in Middiebury, and
fully sustained the reputation for ability
which he acquired while here. J.