The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-04-27

YE OLD FOLKS CONCERT.-AS had been
anticipated, the Chapel of the D. d. & B. In
sitution was crowded on last Friday night. AL
most every seat was occupied, the windows
were full, and many content with even stand
ing room. The occasion was the second per-
Torrance of the Old Folks Concert. At eight
O'Clock the Continental Brigade, headed by q
fife and big bass drum, marched mp the main
aisle OF the Chapel to the inspiring music OF
.sYankee Doodle,' and ranged itself in line
fronting the audience. tt was grand anil an
cient looking assembly. eye women singers"
were costumed after the pre-revolutionary FASH
ion plates, and into the construction Of those
garments entered no trace OF modernism. The
latitude of the skirts was painfully contracted.
and from the elevated location of the waist, it
was the universal inference that, there having
been some misunderstanding as to whether
the band should occupy its usual position or
officiate as collar, mutual concessions had
been made, and the moiety plan adopted. The
arrangement of the hair was eminently sug-
gestive of light-headedness, resembling in mag
nitude and mould an aerial navigator. while
the altitude attained by the rear end Of the slip
oers and the immense buckles which adorned
the toe, were objects of the profoundest atmira-
ton, not unmixed with envy, to the female por-
ton of the audience. Eye MEME singers''
were likewise attired in the paraphernala Of one
hundred years ago-powlered periwig, huge
cravats, cooked hats, knee breeches, large
buckles, etc. The musicians, that is the drum
mer and fifer, INDUCED in continental uniform.
while artificial noses, of elaborate design
and shapely finish, deployed about their
countenance with surprising effect, though to
the evident detriment Of their musical display,
for the fifer was detected in all endeavor to
rest his acquired beauty on his left shoulder,
while ''Yankce DOODLE languished, and the
drummer was loudly applauded in an abortivc
effort to get within striking distance Of his sweet
toned instrument. 80.
When the singers had all taken their allotted
positions, and the good, natronly chaperones
| were gossiping away in the corner, the 'Timist,
Cheaniah Billings, (better known as DIR. B-n)
announced, in voice that might have started
from a revolutionary grave century ago, SO
sepnlchral and shark from the tombish" was
| its tone, that the entertainment would COM
mence with the singing of ''AuId Lang Syne,
by all We MEME and women singers. The no
BILE old song never had a nobler rendition, and
if such was tine music of hundred years ag o,
it were far better the science had neverdonne d
its modern dress, for certainly it could not ap-
pear to better advantage.
There were many other choruses. but we have
not the space to mention them as they deserve.
The best musical talent in the city, (and there
are few places equal to Staunton in this re-
spect,) was engaged in the entertainment. and
this fact is a sufficient guarantee that it would
have been difficult, even for professionals, te
| have surpassed it.
The solos were all ''worldlie songs and
were executed with rare merit. The first wal
''Herz, Men Her," by Deliverance Bunnel
Mrs. HIM. whose voice is musical, though
scarcely strong enough for so large room.
'rhe Old Kirk Yard, by Thankful Mercy Stand
fast, Miss Ca T-r,) was as sweet as song
could be, and every one enjoyed it. Love
Sparks, Miss Dc H--s,) gave Lords of Gre
alton" with fine effect, though she was evident
y considerably frightened, perhaps at tue large
delegation belonging to that class whom she
personally addressed, and who, though desired,
''to locke avail from We young women who
SINCE, forasrauche as the are shamefaste, ,
persisted in their disobedicnce, wholly tiisre
gar(ing the enjoined self-affliction. However
Miss Sparks, in the 1.-TWO partc songe" will
Sister Patience. Miss S-h H-s.) fully re
covere d from her assault on the lords, ant
blending her clear soprano with the fine alto
Of the Sister. rendered duett which was loud
ly applaudcd. ''The Old Arm Chair" by
Prudence IIuggins, Miss lie D-l.) was sole
that would have graced any performance
Miss D-l has few superiors as a musician ant
vocalist, and the wealth of pathos thrown int,
this song. not only in the magnificent modtl
lations of voice, but in each graceful gesture, i'm
pressed the audience, even more than ever, will
her rare gifts and attachments in the spher
of music. The solo was applauded to the echo
but, contrary to the universal desire, no re
spouse was given. The last solo was ssWt
Met by Chance" by Jernslla Simmons, miss
Ny C-t.) 1t is piece requiring a most eX
quistely trained and powerful voice-at time
calling forth the deepest resonance, and falling
in ripping cadences, SO soft, sweet, and symba
thetc as to almost seem the shadow of song
and anon bursting into notes of such wonder
ful depth and compass as to startle and astonlsl
even when anticipated. The voice that touche,
so many Of the chords was mistress of then
all, and its last vibrations were met with sucl
4 storm of applause that no refusal would b.
brooked, and though it had been especial,
announced that no responses would he made
yet such was the encore that Miss C. was forcet
to repeat verse of the song in order to restol,
quiet.
''Consin Jedediah'' sclo and chorus, was per
haps the most appropriate performance of the
evening, as it doubtless initiated more closel,
than any of the others, the country concert mu
sic of hundred years ago. The solo was Civ
en- with true down eastern nasal twang, by
Miss &c, and the effect on the audience ex
cecdingly happy. The coronation, % in which
ssall those so much blessed as to have good,
lungcs and religious training, were expected
to stand up and l,elpe SINCE closed the enter
tainment, which, though perhaps not as heart
lily appreciated as the former Old Folks Con
cert, was scarcely inferior to it i'll the music
.s.~1, 49,