The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-02-24

SoIREE AT THE AT SEMINARY.-Last Sat
urday night number of the patrons of the
school and few invited guests were present
at semi-priyate Soiree given by the pupils of
| the Augusta Female Seminary. Like all en-
tertainments at the A. F. S. ii was thoroughly
| enjoyable and whilst serving to exhibit in a
marked degree the proficiency attained by the
pupils in the various departments, it at the
same time afforded an esthetic treat which
few could fail to appreciate.
Those who contributed to the pleasure
the audience were the young ladies of Miss
Mary Crawford's vocal class; Mr.. Hamer's
Instrumental music class; and Miss Mattoon's
elocution class. The entertainment was
varied one, and each part was given with a
thoroughness and excellence that furnished
the most satisfactory of testimony to the eff
cheney and success of the instructors and to
the talent OF the scholars.
The Soiree commenced with semi-chorus,
Lullaby" in which were blended the fine
voices of Misses M. Ashley, M. Hunter, M.
Nugent, G. Robertson, E. Bayless, G. Snead,
B. Rufncr, M. Forman, NJ Sleek, L. Wood
row, M. Silva and n Thomas, followed by the
overture "Stradella' by Flotow, which was
faultlessly executed by Misses L. Howard, F.
Childress, S. Ballard and N. Thomas Then
came vocal solo, "Hour of Sweet repose, -
sung by Miss Mary Forman in deep, mellow
voice of considerable power. One of Schu-
mans beautiful duets was performed by Miss
G. Stubs, and F. Childress, two instrumental
lists of pronounced talent and enviable acquire
ments. Miss L. Ripley read humorous selec-
| ton from Mark Twain and did it finely, and
then Miss E. Bayless sung "Womans
prayer" in voice of wondrous sweetness
and with an expression which did full justice
to the pathetic sentiment of the song. Later
in the evening Miss Bayless recited Jean In
gelow's matchless poem, "Hightide on the
coast of Lincolnshire" and it was not surpris-
ing that the closing lines were greeted with a
storm of applause, for in voice, gesture and
intoEation she measured up to the standard
Of an accomplished elocutionist. Schulof7s
valse de Concert as given by Misses McNutt,
Putnam, Barnes and Berry, was one of the
most delightful parts Of the programme. The
precision with which it was executed, the
taultless time and general excellence, were
unusual, and a general and long continued ap-
plause attested the appreciation of the audi
ence. The vocal trio ''Se Il Fratel" was sweet
| ly sung by Misses Ruffner, Robertson and
Hunter, and was followed by splendidly per-
formed solo Fairy Fingers" by Miss Chill
dress. Miss May Silva gave happy rendering
of "Song of the Sea She'll" but her chief talent
is for instrumental music, and this found fine
field for display in the execution of the list and
I'd movement from concerto in G.. Minor
[Mendelssohn). Her supple fingers swept the
keys with masters touch. Rarely, indeed
is such absolute command of the instrument
acquired. The finest vocal solo of the evening
was that OF Miss NJ. Hunter whose naturally
sweet and highly cultivated voice seemed ca
pable of almost any achievement. In the
Laughing Song" the ascent of the scale was
accomplished with scarcely an effort Richly
was the applaused which greeted the fair
vocalist deserved The last recitation was
given by Miss K. Mcclellan, who faithfully
and graphically depicted the terrors and tri-
umphs OF Jennie McNeill's famous ride. The
closing instrumental piece was the Finale
from the 9th Symphony" (Bethoven) by Misses
Silva, Stubs, Howard, and Childress, with
Miss G. Snead at the organ, and it was execu-
ted in manner worthy of the great composer
A chorus by the vocal class concluded the
entertainment-an entertainment ENJOYABLE
from beginning to end and sterling tribute
to the success of the teachers under whose
supervision it was given, and to the young
ladies who were engaged in it.