Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-23
The Jubilee singers.

ult BduQ VI COlOlOQ StDSClo WUOoc Cl-
forts to raise money to build up Uniyer-
sity In this city for colored people, have
been crowned with such success in this
country, seem to be meeting with even
greater success In Europe, where they are
now travelling ard giving concerts, which
are attended by the nobility of the land.
We have before US number of English
and Scottish papers, containing highly eulo-
CYSTIC notices Of the singers, from which We
select the following, from an Aberdeen pa
per:
They appear on the platform in very plain
and unsssuming dress, and rely entirely in
attracting the attention of the audience up
on their singing efforts. DR.. D. Brown and
Rev. j. III. Sloan accompanied the singers
to the platform. Mr.. Sloan opened the pro-
ceediDgs with prayer. DR.. Brown, in the
course of short address, intimated the re-
ceipt of letter from Lord Kintore, in which
bis Lordship expressed bis regret at being
unable to be present. The rev. doctor COM
meDded highly the object Of the Jubilee
Singers. Already they, had raised $4,000,
and since they came to this country they
had added another FL, 900 to that amount,
leaving only $4,000 to be raised of the to- al
sum of fl4,000, the amount required for
the building of the University. He trusted
that they would not go away from Aberdeen
dissatisfied or disappointed, and he hoped
that the present meeting would show how
much enjoyment and profit they experienced
by being present appiause). On the
Chairman resuming his seat, the progra mme
was proceeded with, consisting of sacred
harmonized songs and melodies. The har-
moniEed pieces were simple in their con-
struction, and characterized by the peculiar
tiles which belong to negro music; while at
the same time the hsrmobies had the ele-
ments of good composition. The voices of
the party are remarkably fresh and full
and exhibit careful cultivation and truthful
ness of information, no doubt arising TO q
great extent from their long continued prac-
tice. All of them seemed to possess, In no
small degree, superior natural gift, and
those qualifications which enable them to
produce very effective combined chorous.
"Stesl Away to Jesus" opened the first
part, and nothing could have been finer than
the delicate pianissimo of some OF the pas
s2ges, while the bass voice seemed to revel
in this piece, as well as in others in very
low notes, occasionally descending to E fat.
"Go down, Moses" is hymn with strong
negro character. The peculiar cadences in
the chorus were well brought out, and more
distinct articulation Of the words could nj
have been desired, q remark which equally
applies to all their singing. For an encore,
the well known original Of 'John Browns
Body" in good harmonized arrangement,
was given with great energy, and met with
rapturous applause. "Roll, Jordan, Roll"
bold medley, but with pathetic cadence,
was one of the most effective pieces of the
evening. The slave melody, "I'll Hear the
Trumpet SOUND" by Miss JEANNE Jackson,
was in the minor mode, and had some of
the peculiarities Of Scotch melody. The
first part concluded with striking negro
song. "Turn BacA Pharoah's Army" and
the warm defamation of some of the pas
sages produced somewhat ludicrous effect.
After short interval, the second part was
commenced with "My Lord says there's
Room Enough," clear melody very sweet
ly sung. "SwiDg Low, sweet Chario.," is
another of these melodies with the peculiar
plaintive cadences that speak home with
powerful effect to the heart of every one,
like The simple utterances OF untutored
minds. Without going further into detail,
we msy mention song given by Miss Ma
bel Lewis, entitled "Too Late" which was
decidedly the best song Of the evening. The
psthos which distinguished the singing Of
this beautiful melody was very striking, as
also the artistic finish which it exhibited.
Miss Lewis's voice as contralto is one of
considerable compass as well as sweetness,
and her finishing note, which was E fat,
seemed to surprise the audience. In the
course of the evening, Mr.. Whyte, treasurer
to the Fisk University, mentioned that q
number of subscriptions had been received
apart from what the singers earned, and
these sums were to be used for providing
the in ernal fittings and furniture of the
University, the students themselves being
determined to earn the f14,0 900 for the
erection of the main building by their own
efforts.
There will be another concert of the same
nature on Thursday evening, at which the
Lord Provost will preside.