Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-06-10

PEACE FESTIVAL.

BOSTON, June Z, 1905.
When Mr.. Gilmore first spoke "Jubi-
lee" aloud to his friends, no doubt they
thought it good joke, and were pleased
accordingly; and there ended the matter
in their minds But when he returned to
the joke again and developed it little
and showed some purpose, then no doubt
Humbug was the thought and expression
of the public who first met the proposition
of Peace Festival when something of
the scale and characters of the enterprise
was published by its first committee. But
after some days it began to be seen. that
if it were to be humbg, if it was only
great enough to be exciting and pleasing
the enjoyment would be as legitimate as
if it were otherwise and the possibility of
a grand festival collection of people be-
gan to appear. Managers were chosen,
leaders and conductors consulted, chorus
rehersals organized-here al first-and the
thing began to grow and develope i'll all
its parts, and like most things that do
grow, gained in responsibility until it has
ceased to be thought of as a humbug.
Those who volunteered their services as
singers and musicians soon found that re-
hersing under Mr.. Zerrah and the others
meant attention, care and pains. The pos
sibility of not passing examination, and OBJ
tanning ticket and maintaining their re-
patation among their friends who knew of
their presence might be notifying to
them and it soon appeared that there was
no humbug in this part of the affair. To
the conductors, hall full, of eight hun
dred was interesting and cheerful; but
when it became necessary to establish
four classes or halls full, and drill four
| evenings in a week, then this interest be-
came painful, with work. This continued
weeks, meanwhile Gilmore and others were
organizing and drilling the orchestra And
the committees of arrangement found it
necessary to meet often, and study hard
to meet the great details it was their du-
" to arrange. So, long ago, it has appear
ed that Mr.. Gilmore's joke or yankee no.
ton is something, that, so far as work is
concerned, they who are mana ging this
to glorious success, would be inclined to
strangle it upon any reappearanee of a
similar idea or put Mr.. Gilmore under
bonds to keep the peace.
The city Government is pressed into
service. 1t lends all its aid of wha tever
kind, water-pipes, fountains, fire engines,
grading and arranging streets and walks,
railroad companies lay tracks and make
bridges, all under the influence of the
same sufficient cause, whatever it may be-
Mr.. Gilmore has very much to say, and
the credit for all but long ago. the whole
affair got beyond the direction of one
man, and has the benefit of the Judgment
Of many experienced musical men.
We have entered the mouth of June !;
days we now count ere the event. Last
evening new phase of the chorus re-
hearsal commenced, in a combined re-
hearsal in the Music Hall of the Boston
singers, more than three thousand, with
the organ and piano accompaniment.
The next rehearsal will be of those Of
Chelsea, Maiden and other places, then
again, other neighboring towns classes, so
our classes now, are three thousand each,
instead of few hundred. If it was not
FOR the combined chorus ahead to think
of, these choruses would be thought re-
markedly great, and as it is, are small
Jubilees Of themselves, and so far quite
satisfactory to all, participating The
experience to all is novel and exciting in
a degree at least But it requires much
effort and attention to sing with so many,
more alertness by all, and what seems
surprising. those pieces otherwise consid-
cred the most difficult-rapid and irregu-
lar, are as likely to be well performed.
The singers are put upon their own self
reliance, much the same as soldiers were
in our army Contrary to the expecta-
ton Of most people, the sound of a chorus
does not increase in loudness and boistor-
business in the same ratio of increase in
numbers Increase in volume but not of
intensity IF -"url seems 20 : bc tho law
that rules. l..