Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-11-02
Musical Convention at Waterbury.

The musical convention has been the event OF /
the week. The first day. Tuesday opened with |
discouraging prospects. The weather was cold
and rainy and the attendance exceedingly light |
Professor Emerson, however, organized his cho-
rus and went resolutely to work, Wednesday
brought few additions to the chorus, which Mr.
Emerson drilled as diligently rs II It had been
thousand Thursday the chorus had increased
to fifty strong" but II made up in quality what
1t lacked in quantity. thinly attended matinee
In the afternoon and concert In the evening,
given to beggary array OF empty benches, varied
the proceedings Of this day, On these occasions
first appeared the musical talent specially en-
gagged for this occasion. The name of Mrs Jen-
ME Patrick Walker, soprano, OF Boston, stood
at the head of the list. Besides her, there
were Miss Pearson soprano, Miss Mayo, alto, Mr..
s. D. Hopkins, tenor, and Mr.. NJ d. Fuller, bass,
all Of Burlington, Mrs. Spencer OF Marshfeld,
Miss Phinney, contralto and W. A. Briggs, plan
ist Of Montpelier, who took prominent parts In
the public performance of this and the following
day There were only slight tokens OF public in
terest in the convention till the closing concert
Friday evening, which was largely attended, and
which was musical entertainment Of superior
interest and excellence. The programme was
made up of solos, concerted pieces and selections
by the chorus. 1t will not be possible to refer
specially to individual performances, but 1t will
be necessary to speak Of the efforts Of the various
singers in general way In all her appearances
Mrs. Walker won unqualified and enthusiastic
| commentator. This lady possesses powerful
voice, highly cultivated, but while she executes
with wonderful ease and skill, there is still
wanting in her music something OF that sweeter.
| sympathetic quality which is the popular charm
in public singer. In Friday evenings concert,
| in the thrilling song, she made a brilliant display
of ingenious musical execution In the numbers,
Infammatus, /" "The Heavens are Telling" and
Marvellous Work." her magnificent voice fairly
| overshadowed the chorus and the solos were rem
| dered by her with fine effect. Altogether Mrs.
| Walkers appearance here, both as a singer and
a lady OF fine qualities will be very pleasantly
remembered. Miss Pearson of the Burlington
quartette had a less powerful, but a much sweeter
voice than Mrs Walker. Her singing al
ways sweet, finished and effective, and she
shared with Mrs. Walker the honors of the con-
vention. Miss Mayo is a true and correct singer,
and would receive marked and favorable notice
in any company. Miss Phinney has rich and
pleasing contralto voice, distinguished by its
|
in an essential degree to the enjoyment of the oc-
casion. Mrs. Spencer was well and favorably re-
ceved, and was of material assistance to the
chorus Mr.. Hopkins tenor and Mr.. Fuller's
bass, the latter having great range from low to
high, sustained their high reputation as musi-
clans. These gentlemen contributed in high de-
gree to the musical success of the convention,
and to the entertainments of its patrons DR..
Sherar of St. Adams sang acceptaby, Good
bye, Sweetheart" and Mr.. George Huse made
his debut at this time, singing two bass solos very
meritorously Mr.. Huse gives unusual promise
but like others among our country-born and bred
talent, needs the proper cultivation to sing with
the spirited expression so essential to the enjoy
ment Of their hearers and, consequently, to their
own complete success. Mr.. W. A. Briggs merits g
, generous and apprecative word, not for his music
which is entirely beyond the need of any bracing
up by newspaper reports but for his kindly aid t,
I the convention as accompanist. piano solo by
. this gentleman, Friday evening" was one of tn,
marked features of the concert, and 1t was re
, ceived with every mark of the high appreciation
it justly deserved. II personal mention is carried
no further 1t is from sheer lack Of space, and no
, by reason of the absence Of other mertorious in
: dividua performances. Praise too high canno
S be bestowed upon the conductor Mr.. Emerson
His instruction was aimed not merely at the tech
nical execution of the music but to singing as
part Of worship. Singing, in his view, is praispi
: God, and is more reverential act than prayer
Q He condemned the imposition sometimes put upo
Q choirs by being compelled to sing while the con
, tribution is being taken up, saying he would a
d soon think of going up to the minister Will
It at prayer, pulling his coat tail and askin
II him to give out notice Of meeting Of tn
J. ladies sewing society to pass the contribr
# ton box while the choir is singing. Financial
d the convention was failure. After scaling dow
It Mr.. Emersons proper and customary compensa
a ton one-half, the association finds a gap of So
Il between expenses and receipts. The meeting, a
It this time, unfortunate, i-advised, and in OF
h position to wiser counsels Two three indivit
r uals seem to have committed the association I
n holding this convention, and the local member
are now called upon to make up a defcienc
\ which, with proper date and wiser management
/, need not have happened.