The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21

them, and in q hundred ways-by their con
tentment, bright, smiling faces, and merr.
laughter-give thanks.
On Tuesday night last the fiual exercises
were commenced with the usual musica
concert. The chapel was handsomely deco
rated, the stage Being arched with flower!
and evergreens, with the word g Welcome ,
in the centre. Over the door, in large let
tiers of cedar, were the words, " Virginia
Home, Sweet Home" The pupils were
neatly and hastily dressed, most of the girls
being in white, with becoming floral orna-
ments. Notwithstanding the fact that the
night was threatening, and popular must.
cal entertainment was being given in the
Grange Hall, the chapel was literally jammed,
and but for its admirable ventilation would
have been oppressive. So great was the
crowd that chairs had to be placed imme-
diately IN front of the stage, and even upon
it, where the pupils were seated. With
these extraordinary provisions, all could not
be accommodated, and many who arrived
late were forced to return without gaining
admission.
The programme was as follows:
FIRST PART.
l. SHEPHERDS QUIcKsTEP BAND
2. CHORUs-O hail u.s. ye free! CHOIR
3. GRAND OVERTURE Welcome, ". ORCHESTRA
4. SOLo-Beautiful Isle. MISS M. TAYLOR
.. LIssETTE POLKA BAND
| 6. SERENADE-The Star OF Love. MISS LILY WHITE
I. MISUNDERSTANDING OF Weisbaden.
ORCHESTRA
| 8. DUETT-Larboard watch, ahoy!
MISSES TAYLOR and BERKELEY
SECOND PART.
l. MARCH OF THE AMERICAN EAGLE,BAND
2. CHoRUs-From Prisciosso .........,.,.C CHOIR
8. GRAND OyERTURE-Stradella. ORCHESTRA
A. soLo-The White squall( Descrlptive)
5. ANDANTE AND GALoP. BAND
g. SoLo-Eckerts Swiss Song. MISS LILY WHITE
l. WALTzEs-Labitzky's Duoro. ....... ORCHESTRA
8. DUETT-What are thu wild waves saying?
LILY WHITE and WILLIE ANDERSON.
FINALE-Old Hundred, on the Great Organ TOBY
OF the selections by the band, orchestra
and choir, it is unnecessary to say one word,
except that they were under the supervision
and leadership Of Prof. A. j. Turner, who,
for eleven years has been the musical in
structor at the institution. What the sue
cess OF his labors has been is best evidenced
by the results and when it is considered
with what patience and gentlcness he has
developed the talents Of his gifted and un-
fortunate pupils, until they have attained
such proficiency, some idea of the difficulty
OF the task may be formed. There is one
thing about the music of the blind which
particularly strikes the observer, and that is
the earnestness and enthusiasm of the per-
formers. They seem to play not so much
for the pleasure of others as for their OWE
enjoyment, and the spirit and zest which is
thrown into each piece excites an enthu-
siasm among the audience which the execu-
lions Of the most skilled musicians fail to
awaken. No ear, however finely cultured,
detects discord as readily as that of the
blind; their nature is .instinctively harmo-
NOUS, and any jar, however slight, CRATES
harshly on their delicate nerves; but we
venture to say that even by such critics as
they, as well as musical experts, no fault
could be found with the renditions Of the
band, orchestra and choir on Tuesday night.
They reflected credit alike on the teacher
and pupils, and were universally enjoyed
and applauded.
Both Of the solos OF Miss Taylor were
sweetly sung, as was also her duett, ssLar-
board watch ahoy ~ with Miss Berkeley,
and proved that Prof. Turner's success as
vocal teacher is almost as marked as in the
other departments Of music. Lily Whites
songs breathed the very soul of music. Her
voice is the most birdlike and sympathetic
we have ever heard, so exquisitely soft and
fresh in every note, so full of pathos and
expression. At no distant day she will be
strong, as well as sweet singer. The duett
in which she sang with Willie Anderson was
a charming rendition.
Between the first and second parts of the
programme, two graduates of the Institu-
ton, Misses catlett and Ridenour, sang by
request. Miss Catlett gave sFrance, I
adore thee ~ with fine effect, and Miss Sue
Rldenour sang 6 Coming thro' the rye - and
in response to the encore, gave ''I'll follow
thee" Her voice has lost none of that sweet
ness and richness which in days gone by so
Staunton audiences, and the en-.
thusiasm with which she was greeted, proved
That absence has not abated her popularity.
1t must have made Prot. Turner proud to
have bis old pupils with him again, and see
20 rich reward Of his labors.
The concert closed with ssOld Hundred. ;, |
which Toby rendered magnifcently on the |
organ.
Such music as that Of Tuesday evening |
every one enjoys. 1t needs no libretto to |
interpret it, no master to point out its beau
lies. 1t speaks for itself, and all understand. |
On Wednesday morning, at 1890 O'Clock, !
The examinations were commenced. The |
Hall was again crowded, and although many |
lad witnessed similar exercises on other &C. |
'asons, yet there is something so novel and |
about them, that none who
.ould attend would fail to be present.
With the exception OF one piano duet,
. Bravoura Galop,' by Misses Read and
White, the music was by the band, orchestra
ind choir. This piece was splendid per-
aad reflected no less credit upon
me taienC OF the young ladies than upon the
Instruction of Miss Berkeley.
The examinations of the blind commenced
With reading and map exercises by Messrs.
Mccoy and Guiger's classes. The reading
would have done credit to children of like
7ears possessed of all their faculties, and on
he maps the pupils pointed out the different
ocalltles with almost as much promptness
IS might have been expected from those who
,ould see. Mr.. Doyle's class of blind worked
'ut difficult algebraic equations rapidly and
accurately, carrying the statement and per-
orming the work without the assistance of
'nything but their memories. In the deaf
mute class of Mr.. Williams, little fellows
Who could hardly reach up to the blackboard