Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-03-09

THE WELSH MUSICAL UNION
The Welsh Musical Union of Wisconsin
held lis annual session in this city, the 1st,
I'd and Sd days of March, Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Thursday of last week. The pro-
ceedings took place in the new and beauti-
full hall of the Turner Society," which is
especially fitted for meetings of this charac-
ter. The different sections of the state con-
tanning Welsh population were largely rep
resented, attracting to our city a goodly
number from abroad, and finer or better
looking class of people we never saw as
sembled together for any purpose. The
utmost harmony AMI good feeling prevailed
amongst them during the Convention, and
they one and all seemed to feel a desp in
terest in the success and welfare of this
their National organization, the aims and
purposes of which are so elevating and re.
fiuing. About 500 members of the Union
were present at this gathering which is the
largest meeting the society has yet held.
We have not space to go into any spec
ial detailed account ofeach days proceed
ings but will have to notice them in a
general way. The first day, (Tuesday) was
devoted to organizing and exercises Of an
evolutionary character, to gether with vocal
rehearSais and drilling. W ednesday and
Thursday were taken up with practicing
music and cultivating proficiency in singing
among the members, ending with a grand
concert each evening, and of these we wish
more particularly to speak. Without in
tending to belittle any other musical enter
tain ents given in our city, we must con-
fess that these concerts of the Welsh Mu-
steal Union surpassed anything of the kind
ever given here. TIE full choruses were
magnificent and grand, among which must
be mentioned "Heavens are Telling" and
"Hallelujah Chorus" rendered with pre-
cision and grandeur that was truly splendid.
The sopran solos were sung in a brilliant
and charming manner by the several young
Owens has voice of rare beauty and COM
pass, and the voices of the Misses Lewis
were full and clear-singing their solos in
an unusually easy and perfect manner.
Miss Williams is singer of great perfec-
ton, showing considerable cultivation, and
dwelling on the high octaves in a captiva-
ting style. But to our mind the male cho-
ruses were perfection itself, the several
voices blending with harmony and beau
We call to mind one of these choruses "The
Three Huntsmen," sang by the Racine
male chorus, which was perfect gem in
| its way.
In considering on the merits of the sing
ers composing this Union it might be well,
as a matter of justice to them, to bear in
| mind that they are in no sense O! tie term
| professional singers, but practice the differ
| ent forms of music for their rutual benefit,
and refining accomplishment. The Welsh
people are naturally good musicians, and it
| is to encourage their we'll known taste for
music that the efforts of this organization
are directed.
The large hall was crowded on the oc-
casien of each concert, our citizens appre-
ciating to the fullest extent the high quail
| ity and general excellence of the entertain
ments.
We believe the people OF Watertown and
especially our Welsh citizens performed all
in their power to conduce to the success
AMI aims of this meeting of the Union, ano
| we understand it was both beneficial anc
profitable to the Society, the members real
ling fully as much pleasure, enjoy meat
and improvement among themselves as they
anticipated, and leaving our city witt
pleasant recoIlecticns Of their short stay. WI
only express the wish of our entire people
when we say that we hope the committee
having the power Of selecting the futur
places Of NEE tin. for the Welsh Musica
Union will decide to hold another session
in this city before many years have gon
| by, and we are sure the same warm, gener
! ouz support will be extended to the mem
berg,