The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-07
AUGUSTA FEMALE SEMINARY.
Closing Exercises List ef Graduates,

Closing Exercises List IF Graduates, &C.
1t was scarcely necessary for Miss Bald
win to state in her annual report that the
Augusta Female Seminary had enjoyed q
year of unusual prosperity. The evidences
of that prosperity are too manifold and pal
pable to need mentioning-tleya are seen in
everything that pertains to the buildings.
the grounds, and the pupils. Indeed, ii
would be strange if among the influences
thrown around the scholars of this school,
they shou'd fail to find as much of content.
ment and enjoyment as falls to the lot OF
mortals. Ii, as it is said. our older life but
develops and gives shape to the influences
and impressions of its childhood and youth.
the future of those whose maiden days were
spent at the Seminary will indeed be bright
On every side is seen the luxuriance Of
| nature blended with the beautiful in art,
aud so closely are they intertwined that one
can scarcely determine where the one begins
and the other ends. The lovely grounds
around the buildings arc as fair as dream
of Eden. Stray sunbeams, that here and
there peep timidly through the dark green
shade, are caught by fountains, ere they
reach the earth, and fashioned into rainbow
hues that seem to mirror in their dainty
spray the myriad colered flowers which on
every side relieve the verdure of the sward,
and freight the atmosphere with sweetest
perfumes. Birds of varied plumage carol
their notes as gladly as if captivity in such a
home were better far than freedom, and the
very air is laden with their music.
Not only arc the pupils surrounded by the
beautiful, but that which is beautiful in their
natures is developed and strengthened. The
head and the heart are alike cultivated, and
the noblest traits of womanhood unfoded.
The home influences 81 this school are well
calculated to create in the minds of the pu-
pills healthy appreciation of home attrac-
lions, and firm resolve to do all i'll their
power to contribute to those attractions.
The commencement exercises began at
the chapel of the Seminary on Monday night
last, The stage was beautifully decorated,
but decidedly the most attractive portions OF
the building were the raised seats, upon
which the young ladies were seated. Most
of them were dressed in white, with becom-
ing flowers and jewelry.
The entertainment was entirely musical,
the programme being as follows
PART l.
l. GLORIA-Chorus Mozart
M;ssas N. Jackson, Ella Inman, B. Du Bose,
l. Dunwoody, lone Estes, M. Haas.
2. OvERTURE-F1delio. Beethoven
e. Harris, n. Jackson, I. semple, 5 8. PARROT,
m,ssos l. l. E s5enton 3; Baker shaat
A''se' K. 9eriwe ai K K. K hpSkei
ORGAN-Misses L. Allen, F. Rookie.
8. OCEAN, THOU MIGHTY MoNsTER-Vocal Solo.
Weber
4. CoNcERTsTUcK-Piano Solo,. Weber
Miss Lizzie Semple.i
5. VOCAL DUET-from martha" Flotoao
Misses s. Mathews, s. Darlington.
6. SPINNING WHEEL QUAErEr-from "Martha''
Floto,o
Misses S. ha4ingfon + + a ao5es,
I. MIsERERE DE TRovAToRE-solo, Duet and cho-
,Accompantnaemt or Harp, Piano and ORGAN riga - 80
HARP-Miss K. Kerr.
PART II.
n. Jackson, G. Harris, s L. semple, 5 S. Millar,
Misses h e. HnH 1nman, n n s seaRls'
2. ONLY ONE KIss-vocal Solo .... Murio Cell
Miss X. Kerr
8. CONCERTO IN G MINOR. .......... Menaelssoha
Miss N. jackson.
4. LlBERTY-Duet from sPuritani" Belzimi
Misses s. Mathews and E. Kennedy.
s. TNFT,AMATIrS FROM hPAr opd
~ soLo.Miiss S. Mathews. : '''''"''
ovERrURE-William Tell Rossimt
Baard kksn1 hs s aanP
Il. Adams, F. Taylor.
misses E. ppa a Boss, 4. S 1a1ant.
PERFORMERS ON ORGAN;
Misses s. Mathews and s. Edrington.
I. FINALE FROM "sTRADELLA'-solo and Chorus.
(By request)
SoLo-Miss E. Kennedy.
The entertainment was worthy in all re-
spects of both teachers and pupils. The
opening chorus was given with spirit, and
was an appetizer for what was to come, and
the overture which followed, and was rem
dered in excellent time, but served to create
desire for the rest of the programme. The
instrumental pieces throughout were models
of fine execution, and were performed with
delicacy and brilliancy OF touch to which
few amateurs ever attain. The piano solo
by Misses Semple and Jackson displayed not
only high degree of cultivation, but talent
of the most decided character.
Miss Katie Kerr's solo, .ssOcean, thou
mighty MONSTER" was greeted with the
warmest applause, and well deserved it, bu5
the furore came at the conclusion of s'Only
one kiss,'' into which the fair singer threw
all the sweetness of her sympathetic ana
pure voice, filling the hall with music and
the audience with admiration. The ap-
plause. with which she was greeted would
brook no denial, and in response she gave
with fine effect, ''The Carnival of Venice
Miss Sallie Mathews, in her solo from ssSta-
bat Mater displayed a voice of compass
and sweetness, and was enthusiastically ap-
plauded. The last solo, by Miss Kennedy,
was anxiously looked forward to, and more
than justified the expectations of those who
during the evening had heard her in duets.
A4OA WIN 10 NCiy CACdl anu CAQulSiGSly
and The solo she sang evidenced its command
and power. The duets and quartettes were
all admirable selections, especially the duets
from "Martha" and 'sTrovatore," and were
excellently rendered, as were also the cho-
ruses.
SECOND NIGHT.
The exercises of the second night were
even more enjoyable than those of the first,
the music interluding the distribution Of
prizes, medals, &c., which not only ex-
cited the greatest enthusiasm among the
young ladies, but proved OF the most absorb
ing interest to the spectators.
After an earnest prayer by the Rev. DR..
Mullaly, of Lexington, the "Prayer of Moses
in Egypt" solo and chorus, was handsomely
rendered by Misses A. Davant, B. Keeran,
and A. Reid. This was followed by vocal
solo. Robins come" by Miss B. Keeran,
which was so enthusiastically encored that
one verse of it had to be repeated A harp
duo from martha" BY Misses K. Kerr and
A. Heineckamp, which came after the Prin-
cipal's report, was perhaps the most charm
ing Of the evenings performances, and called