St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-01-18
Orleans Musical Convention.

OF the late annual convention of the
Orleans Musical Association, we can say
with special emphasis-it was Il grand
success, Perhaps never before have
we had so many present, and all appar-
emily interested. nay, enthusiastic. As
consequence, the anthems and the
choruSes were grand. We might men
ton among these, "Star of descending
night" ut one time rolling up like the
sound of many waters, then reduced in
volume to the softest pianssimo-four
musical threads vibrating i'll sweetest
harmony. The subduing effect of this
latter was wonderful. The soul seemed
borne away into the infinite, bearing on
its lips the GLORY to God'' for our hu-
man capabilities.
Among some of the specialties, we
might mention charming quartettc,
sung 10y Mr.. Bean of St. Johnsbury, S.
p. Pinney of Greensboro, Mrs. Williams
of Coventry, and her sister, Miss Bur
bank. The harmony was excellent, and
the enunciation very good.
OF pure vocalism we had several fine
specimens from our soloist, Mrs. G. H.
Cakes, of Boston. To voice of won
derful compass, where every note is
richly musical, she adds refined taste,
and an elegance of enunciation that
secures the utterance of every word
with propriety and grace.
Nor shall we soon forget the enter
tainment furnished by Miss Sergeant of
st. Johnsbury, on several occasions.
The taste alone, displayed in her selec-
tons, requires special mention, while
her voice may be classed among the
finest we have ever heard. And then
the distinctness of her articulation, the
purity of her vowel sounds, and the
elegance of her enunciation prove her
an adept in the use of the English Ian
guage. The words dropped from her
lips, like new coins from the mint, per-
fectly stamped. And here we may
hazard an opinion. The cream of vocal
music consists, among other eXcellen-
cies, in distinctness of enunciation. If
we cannot hear the words, and the
words pronounced elegantly, nothing can
redeem the effort. 1t must pass into
oblivion. And if such be the fact, then
let the members of our hOnored associa-
ton bear it in mind, and let them re-
duce it to "a rigid practice hereafter.
Perfection cannot be reached, in the
absence of distinct and elegant enun-
| citation.
We had, as our leader, Prof. NJ. L.
Lawrence, of Springfield, Vt. And af-
ter this, our second experience, we can
readily testify, that he improves on ac-
quaIntance. In every move among us
he proved himself a high-toned Chris
tian gentleman, thoroughly qualified to
manage successfully large class, and
to develop the musical talent thereof.
With abundant material men NAV con-
struct; they cannot create. And so, in
the absence of musical talent, time, CD
portunity and drill are of little use,
The Professor carries with him our es-
TEEN and our thanks, while he leaves
behind the fondly cherished hope that
we may meet again.
The orchestra was specially fine, in
Guiding Messrs. Davis & Bagley, each
deserving of many thanks. For our
pianist, Mr.. l.. A. Whitney, we bespeak
"a friendly notice on all occasions. He
is a gentleman of whom it may be said
with emphasis-Semper parqtus.
But we must leave much unsaid.
Query. Won't the singers of Orleans
county form themselves into little bands
ID their respective towns, meet weekly.
then practice and drill, drill and prac-
tice, as never before, so that, should we