Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-09-20
Connections River valley Musical Con.
yentlou.


The annual convention of the above asso-
citation, which was held at Bellows Falls last
week, was a very enjoyable occasion TO all
lovers of music who attended; and il was
successful in every sense of the word. The
session began Tuesday afternoon in Union
hall and continued until Friday evening" when
the last grand concert was given. Both the
class and the audience were very large
throughout. At the first rehearsal, Tuesday
evening, there were 1Ol singers upon the
stage and at other times during the conven-
tion there were from 125 to $50 in the cho-
rus, aside from about % solosts. Prof. Geo
W. Foster Of Keene N. H., had the directing
of The class, although at tim es he was relieved
by Prof. 4. L. Ryder, who acted as pianist
throughout, assisted by Miss Emma Lane of
Westminster, and Miss Chamberlain of Winch
cndon, Mass. Whatever may be said of Prof
Foster in other respects, he has been success
full in directing this convention for two years
to Il remarkable degree. He is a fine musi-
clan aud he drills and handles his class well.
lie brought with him n talented corps of So
loists at n very small expense to the conven
ton smaller than hardly any one else would
have done and in the main NIL were well re-
ceived by the different audiences. Among
the prominent soloists were Mrs O. T. Kim
ball of Boston, Miss L. NJ. Whitney of Fitch
burg, A. A. Spaulding Of Jaffrey, Prof. w.
w. Clark of Fitchburg, DIR. w. T. Clark of
Milford, Mass, Miss Sadie l.. Mason of Beth
el' Me, the Simpson sisters of Springfield,
Mass, the Arian male quartette and Polym-
mia female quartette of Keene. Miss Cham
herlain of Winchendon, Mrs b. T. Olcott,
Mrs. Nottingham, Mr.. A. j. Hubbard, j. w.
Barnes and W. w. Curtis j. A. Markham of
Brottleboro was well received in a number of
fine solos. There was no lack of talent; if
any thing there was too much because, there
being so many, those who had favorites
among the list could not hear them as often
as they would like, and n number of them
could not appear at all on account of the length
of the programmes which averaged about 20
pieces at each concert, besides the many en-
cores. Space forbids detailed account of
each concert, but all were fully appreciated.
-Four concerts were given, and the seats were
all sold early. Mrs. Kimball was especially
popular in her fine rendering of "The Magic
Waltz" by Adita, and 1.-The Trundle-bed"
Miss Whitney, in Il know that my Redeemer
Eveth,' quartette of piano, organ, violin
and cornet by the Simpson sisters, Miss
Chamberlain and Mr. Barnes, the 23d Psalm
by the Arian quartette, 'Ye Boundless Realms
of JOY" obligato by Miss Mason, and many
others were finely rendered and enthusiastic
ally cncored The quality and amount of
talent shown far surpassed any similar gath
ering in this vicinity. The rain which pre-
vailed the last two days had a small effect up
on the size of the audiences, but the receipts
exceeded by considerable what they were last
year, and, with the amount left in the treasu-
ry from last year, put the association upon
good financial footing and ensure it as n
permanent, enjoyable and highly beneficial
institution.
The officers elected for the ensuing year
were A. n. Swain, OF Bellows Falls,
president; Rev. j. d. Becman, Springfield,
J. W. Barnes Wnchendon, Mass, and A. j.
Hubbard, vice presidents L. S. Hayes treas
urer; G.. W. Cook secretary. c. L. Bar
Der is chairman of the executive committee,
and DIR. L. Whitman of the reception COM
mittec.