Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-08
LOCAL MATTERS.
CITY AND COUNTY.
Vocal Concert at Stevens Point


Vocal Concert at Stevens Point.
1t was our pleasure to attend con-
cert of vocalists at Stevens Point last
Tuesday evening, given under the di-
rector Of Prof O. E. Jones, assisted
by H. Il. Balcomb, pianist. The con-
cert was given IN McCullochs Hall,
one Of the most spacious in the North
west, which was comfortably filed by
an audience representing the intelli-
gence and culture of our sister city.
The programme was we'll selected and
not heavy; containing many gems of
song, all of which, whether the
choicest solos, Duets. trios or chorus
es. were admirably rendered consider
ing the usual drawbacks which seem
necessarily to attach to course OF
preparation, as we know from expert
ence. We don't propose to criticlse
the concert, y and yet we feel con-
strained so to o-but we wont though
we defy any ''locale" to pen a notice
OF such an entertainment without hay-
ing it SAVIOR more or less Of criticism.
Hail, Fairy Queen, was rendered
well, but it lacked spirit, in our opin-
ion.
Sigh gentle Gales, > male quar-
tette was substituted for the original
selection, and was executed with great
taste and most excellent expression.
We enjoyed it.
Queen of the Night was beauti-
full; it was rendered by lady voices
The fourth selection, 1.-The Wolf is
on the Hill. male chorus, vas sung
well, but we never heard so unpoetic a
theme sanctifed by the all-saving pow,
er of flats, sharps, natUraIs and acct
dchhuis. 1t was sung well, but we did
feel sorry for that wolf. Wen bet a
revenue stamp against short term in
the penitcntiary that that wolf wont
be on that hill again, ever. Now if
some fool composer will write a chorus
entitled, Fathers got the Bounty, >
what a companion piece it would make.
1.-The Raft" descriptive solo by
Mr.. Jones was excellent, but Brother
Jones ought to have given his audience
all of it. His voice is admirably adj
apted to this character Of composition
We cannot enumerate further with
only two or three exceptions.
GLOW gently Deva." was admirably
rendered. Mr.. Spaulding sang Cover
the Blue Hills" with excellent effect.
He sings with expression, and pathos
which tells on his audience. 81
Know Bank whsreon the Wild
Thyme Grows" by Mrs. Owens and
o. Z. Jones was executed with taste,
but - think the movement was toe
81, especially toward the close 1t
was finely executed, however
coup Of Woe" was one of the best
selections of the evening.
waiting" by Miss Thompson was
rendered admirably. Miss T. has one
of the finest voices we have heard fo1
a long time. Her notes, especially in
the upper register are clear and birdlike,
liquid and pure. She gave super
ior expression to this sweet ballad and
we count it the gem of the evening.
The closing selection, a sacred an
them. 'Come let US sing unto the Lord
was finely executed and was fit selec-
ton for the closing programme.
The chorus possesses some fine
voices, though it lacks power. Stevens
Point has several fine voices. both
male and female, and it is refreshing
to know they have so faithful and
efficient conductor as Mr.. Jones, to
draw them out and develop them. We
enjoyed the entertainment exceedingly
and mean to so thither again on like
occasion, which We hope may not be
long deferred. Mr. Balcomb presided
at the piano forte with his accustomed
ability. There are few performers in
the state who can compete with Mr.. B.
as a performer.
Heard man say the other day,
"well, if this amt the gell durndist
weather / ever see" and we believed