The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-07-01
st. Joseph's Academy,
CLOSING EXERCISES AND ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION
OF MEDALS AND DAWARDs-INTEREsTNG CERE

CLOSING EXERCISES AND ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION
OF MEDALS AND AwARDs-INTEREsTIHG CERE-
MoNIEs--ADDREss BY BISHOP GIBBONS, ETC.
The annual exhibition and distribution of
medals and awards to the profcients of st.
Joseph's Female Academy is always looked
forward to with great interest and well
may it be so, for there is no school in Rich
mond whose exercises are more interesting,
or whose honOrs are more difficult to at
tain.
Yesterday witnessed the end of another
scholastic year, and many heart was made
glad by the rewards bestowed upon them in
token of acknowledgment and appreciation
Of their arduous labors by the good Sisters,
under whose management the school is con-
Quoted, with Sister Marianna as "Supe-
rioress."
Since the last annual exhibition there have
been some changes and improvements in the
arrangement of the music nall, in which
the pupils were gathered yesterday, and
although the heat was very great, there was
q degree Of comfort both to the young ladies
taking part in the exercises and the audience,
which we have not noticed heretofore on
similar occasion.
A large number of persons had been in
vited to be present, and the ball was crowded.
Among those present were Right Rev. james
Gibbons, bishop Of The diocese Of Rich
mond !; Regs. Fathers Janssens and Charles,
of the cathedral; Doherty, of st. Patrck's
church, and Herman Wolfe, OF ST. Mury's
church.
Tue hall was very tastefully decorated with
evergreens and flowers, and the sight of the
young ladies, so prettily attired, was indeed
pleasant to behold.
About half-past 8 O'Clock the exhibition
commenced with Ascher's grand march, rem
dered upon three pianos by Misses Is. Toppin,
n. O'keetfe, X. EIlyson, J. Doherty, and NJ.
Brophy. During the march the rest of the
scholars filed into the hall, and took seats
which had been prepared (or'them.
The next feature in the programme was a
solo and chorus, "LittIe Fairies,' from
Titania, rendered by Miss Marie Boudar
(the Queep) and twelve little girls. The man
ner in which this selection was rendered
and in which little Marie waived her fairy
companions to her side as she sweetlg sung
her solo was very impressive and created
the most favorable expressions from many !;
several ladies eXclaiming: "Oh, amt she
sweeIw The little Queen, at the conclusion
of her singing, was escorted to her throne
and there sat with innocent grace and dig
nifty until called out by the bishop to re-
ceive reward.
Immediately following the Little Fairies
was that splendid chorus, might Shades No
Longer" by Rossini, which was sung by
about thirty voices with great effect.
"See the Pale Moon," a duet, sung by
Misses Il. Toppin and Katie Ellyson, was
one of the best selections of the occasion,
and was enthusiastically received. Miss
Toppin has a splendid soprano voice. while
Miss Ellyson's rich alto put the finishing
touches in the rendition OF piece of music
which is not often eXcelled in this city.
Both of these young ladies added greatly
to the entertainment and pleasure of
the audience, and bore difficult and
prominent parts in the programme. The
former sang sweet Italian air, unfamiliar,
doubtless, to many who were present, with
great spirit. and received as a reward com-
pIiment of which she doubtless feels proud.
Miss Elyson performeda 4 difficult piano solo
admirably, during which she displayed in
high degree her musical culture.
The other features of the programme
were:
Trio-The Reapcrs. By Clapisson. Misses Ely
SON Toppin. and O'Donuell.
Solo and Chorus-Stabat Mater. BY Rosslni.
Solo--Vocal, Miss Doherty Piano, Miss Y keefe;
Violuuccllo, {. W. ThOw.
Watz-Heaveh's Messenger: BY {. schubert
Misses T. Kirk, r. Zetclle, Fl. Kennedy, VI. Brophy,
VI. Mo-rissey, 7; Toppir;; ~ ,, r,,
Trio-Protect Us Through the Coming Night. By
Curshmann. Misses Ellyson, Doherty, and oppin.
The exercises proper were concluded with
the coronation Of number of young ladies
for excellence in department during the past
session.
Immediately preceding this scene the Clip
sew Chorus, from Balfe'> Bohemian Girl, was
sung by about thirty-fve voices i'll a manner
hich would have done credit to profess
sionals, the accord being splendid through
out.
Another selection embraced in the pro-
gramme, deserving special mention, was a
vocal solo, from RoSsini, sung by Miss JUS
tina Doherty, accompanied by Miss Mamie
O'Keetfe on the piano and Professor ThioW
on the rioloncello. This was indeed an eX.
Qusite gem; the remarkably full, rich, and
correctly rendered soprano notes OF the
Youthful vocalist. together with the artistic
piano accompaniment and the Professors in
imitable execution on his instrument, tending
10 make il one of the most enjoyable pieces
sung.
The musical education of the young ladies'
during tie past yclr has been conducted by
Professor YhiloW and Miss Mildred Caring
ton, aud the result Of their efforts was shown
Yesterday in the generally excellent rendl,
| ton OF the various parts Of the really difh
cult programme.
Before the scholars were dismissed Bishop
Gibbons expressed his qualification at what
| he had seen and heard, spoke words OF adj
vice and love TO the little ones. and congratu-
| lated the graduates upon the successful ter
| mination Of their scholastic duties.
| The following j, summary OF the awards
as distributed by the Bishop: a gold medal
| together with academic honors, were con-
! fcrrId with ailecionate esteem upoh Miss
Maggie onderehr. for excellent deport-
| ment and for distinguished success IN thu
| first c.ass Of English. Also Oh Misses Mary
| McGovcJn. Mary Redmond, and Mamie
| O'IIeciic, for alniabe department.
badges OF excellence were awarded to the
most successful IN the respective English
classes, as follows Misses Kate Ellyson Qol
gramniar). Alice Lubbock, Maggie Carroll
and Mary A. Healy. ;,
| Premiums were next awarded 10 the lol
lowing misses for regular attendance at sun
day schooi: Mary Straehla, Helen Kennedy
Mary E. Healy, Julianna Shepperd, Emily
Shepperd, Aoysia Brophy. Madeline Cap
ston, Lizzie Werst, Rosa Kirk. Mary Briz.
zolari, Lessie Muligan, Kate Tyrrsll, and
| Emma Werst.
Misses Matte Purcell and Libbie Kirk
were awarded premiums for passing per-
feet examination in the catechism.
| Premiums in the English classes were
awarded as follows: First Glass: Misses
Kate EIlyson, Mary McGoyern, Mary Red
mond, and Mamie O'Keefe. Second Class