Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-06-05
Commencement Exercises ut the Augusta Female



Seminary.
Again the season of commandments is upon
us, and despite the fact that we have SO often
attended the closing exercises of our female
schools the charm still fingers, and from year
to year we find ourselves enjoying the bright
scenes with all the enthusiasm of our younger
days. The poet has well said: ga thing of
beauty Is joy forever" and this we are sure
is the real reason why we never get tired OF
these annually recurring festivities. For sure
ly no more felicitous combination of all the ell
ements of beauty could be found than that pre-
scented to our view as we entered the tastefully
decorated chapel of the Seminary at an early
hour ON Monday evening. But before we go on
to speak of the fair forms and winsome faces,
the poetry and the perfume, the bright eyes
that shone with joyous memories, apd spark
led with the light Of yet more joyous hopes,
the merry laughter of the blithe young hearts,
and the inspiring strains evoked by dainty I'M
gers with their volant touch, we must be al
lowed to say word in passing, of the rare love-
illness of the grounds belonging to this far-1amed
seat of learning. We had thought on the coca
sion of our last annual notice, that all had been
done that good taste and ingenuity could sug-
gest to render the place beautiful and attrac-
tive but we find that we were mistaken, as
fix a limit to woman's genius. For here, as we
enter the gate, new and unthought-of beauties
greet our admiring eyes. First, there is a large
| and handsome conservatory, filled with rare
exetics, whose odors float upon the evening
| air. made sweetly vocal by the splash and
ripple of the numerous fountains. Above our
heads rustic the aspens gray, while here and
there, on every side, countless blossoms tell us
/ that the cilapuaful of doubtful Spring is
past, and that Summer with her ripper glories,
| is at the door.
| But we can not linger even amid scenes so
| fair and charming for the glad exultant strains
| of Mozart's ''Gloria" now fall upon our ears,
| and mingled with the sweet voices, is the
| sound of instruments that make "melodious
| chime" Our readers need only glance at the
| programme given below in order to be con-
WINGED that, on this occasion, Professor koerbel
and his accomplished assistants fully sustained
the reputation they have earned in our COM
munity as musicians of first-rate ability. The
programme so admirable as toselections and ar
rangement, was admirably carried out in all its
details. The skilful and graceful rendition of the
overtures and choruses excited the unqualified
admiration of the appreciative audience while
the vocal solos by Misses Kerr Darlington, Ken
nedy and Mathews, and the instrumental solos
by Misses Jackson and Semple were received
with the most enthusiastic applause
PART
l. Gloria-Chorus Mozart. Performers on pi
ano: Misses N. Jackson, L. Dunwody, Ella In
man, lone Estes, b. Du Bose, and NJ Haas. Or
gan-Miss c. Kennedy.
on piano: Misses c. Harris, G. Kennedy, n
rott, S. Millar, /. Estes, M. Blanton, X. Merri
Organ-Misses F. Allen, and f. Rookie.
3. Ocean, thou Mighty Monster-Vocal Solo
Weber-Miss X. Kerr.
| 4. Concerstuc piano Solo, Weber-Mls.Sl1z
| zie Semple.
5. Vocal Duet-from" Martha, 'Flotow. Misses
S. Matthews, and S. Darlington.
6. Spinningwheel Quartet from Martha
. Flotow. Misses S. Mathews, S. Burlington,
Matthews, and F. Goyer.
Z. Miserere de Trovatore7Solo, Duet and Cho
sus, Verdi. Accompaniment on harp, organ
f and piano. Solos-Msses e. Kennedy, and S
Burlington. Harp-Miss X. Kerr.
PART II.
l. Overture-"Oberon," Weber. Performers OF
piano: Misses n. Jackson, j. Ballard, e. Harris
Z. Kennedy, l.. Semple, L. Gum, S. Milar. s
Parrot. NJ. Erwin. Emma Ininan, NJ. semple
. only one Kiss-vocal solo, Murio Cell
Miss K. Kerr.
3. Concerto in G Minor, Mendelss0hn-Mlss
N. Jackson.
: T. Liberty-Duet from "Purtani,' Bellini.-
Misses ). Mathews, and E. Kennedy.
| 3. Infi:tmatus from "Stabat Mater''-SOlo anC
, Chorus Rossini. Solo-Miss S. Mathews
6. Oyertqre-William Tell, Rossin. Perform
ers on piano; Misses n. Jackson, ]. Ballard,
Harris, C. Kennedy. s. Millar, s. Parrott, l.
5 Semple, L. Gum, L. Adams, L.. Mathews,
Du Bose, f. Taylor G. Gum, and A. Davant
. Performers on organ-Misses S. Mathews, anC
S. Darlington.
, T. Finale from ''Stradella'-- and Chorus
, Flotow, (by request). Solo-Miss E. Kennedy
o SECOND EVENING.
81 The Following will be the order of the exercise
this evening" commencing at o'clock.
+ Prayer Of Moses in Egypt-Splo and Chorus
Rossini Soios-Miss A. Davant, B. kearan, A
e Reid.
] | Prayer.
Robins Come-vocal Solo, Hempster-M
= B. Keeran.
Reading reports.
S Duo from "Martha, "-Qor two harpsj, Toul
o min-Misses X. Kerr and A. Heineckamp.
Distribution OF certificates.
e Happy Birdling-Vocal solo, Wallace-Mis
A. Dayant.
Distribution of priaes.
= See the Pale Moon-Vocal Quartet, Campo
O na-Misses A. Davant, Z. Keerau, A. Reid, M
= Antrim.
| Awarding of medals and diplomas.
| The Commencement sermon was delivered
in the First Presbyterian Church on last Sun
day evening by Rev. F. P Mutually, D. D., pas
tor of the Presbyterian church in Lexington,
brief and imperfect notice Of which is given else
where.