The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-02-17
so1nEE AT THE W. F. INSTITUTE. -Musical

announcement is greeted by the music loFiiis
public as the promise of treat which the In
| yited ones are sure to enjoy. 1t may be thai
we appreciate them the more because they are
rare, but even with this allowance it does seem
that our seminaries are moving forward, ano
that improvement in the musical departments
is one of the most tangible evidences OF the on
ward march If we measure proficiency ny
enjoyment, then certainly one OF the moael
exhibitions of divine art was that given by
the young ladies of the Wesleyan Female In
stitute on Friday night last. 1t was so nicely
arranged, and each and every part SO admira-
bly, performed that it would have been dlfflcult
for the verest critic to have found fault froi.
Ide and Miss Lizzie Daniel were the principal
directors, Miss Corprews class rendering but
one selection AS matter of course the chapel
was crowded, and from the opening overture
to the close of the entertainment few there
were, we venture to say, who failed to appre-
ciate an evening of so much pleasure.
The programme was entirely musical and
selected with excellent taste One of Aubers
overtures, with Misses Dewey, Day, Pope and
Howard at the pianos, and violin accompani-
ment by Professor Ide, was heinitial perform
ance, followed by duet Greetings" in which
the well modulated voices of Misses Blake,
Howard, Dice and Powers found happy play.
MEYERS "Galop Militaire," with six pianists
and violin accompaniment was admirably
given by Misses McLain, Helm, Stuart, Null
lin, Ivy and Mcclure, and Prof Ide, its stir
ring strains kindling the liveliest of enthusi-
asm and calling forth rounds of applause In
pleasant contrast with this martial music came
| the sweet clear voice of Miss Sadie Folk, a
voice that found room for much expression
and display of culture in that charming song
"Why are the roses red?" One of the most
enjoyable selections OF the evening was the
Swedish wedding march, as performed by
| Misses Budd, Hayden, BurfOrd and Moore. II
| is composition of such exquisite beauty, that
one never grows tired Of listening to it, and if
the programme had comprised nothing more,
| this SINGLE selection would have well repaid
those who attended. Especially was it enjoy
able when the two pianos were supplemented
| by Prof Ide's violin, the very embodiment OF
music The land of the swallows" duet
sung by Misses Field, Tannehill, Stigleman
and Pope exhibited voices whose natural
sweetness and strength had been well i'm
proved under Miss Daniels careful training,
and of like excellence was trio which fol-
lowed, in which the voices of Misses Harris,
Baughn and Field, blended In pleasing harmo-
n.y. The Grand Duo from Norma" was per-
formed on two pianos by Misses Ledbetter and
Sneed Its execution is difficult, and skilled
must be the fingers which evoke its hidden
beauty, but there was nothing to be desired
which responded not to the magic touch OF the
fair musicians. The first part of the pro-
gramme closed with the semi-chorus, "Invo-
cation to spring." participated in by the mem
bers OF the vocal class, and rendered with a
thoroughness as difficult to acquire as it was
pleasant to listen to. Those who sang in this
piece were Misses Ora Blalock, Denton, How
ard, McCathern, Blake, Field, Bruce, Dice
Powers, Stuart, Stigeman and Fannie Balock
Another overture, "Siege of Corinth," COM
menced the second part Rossini's splendid
production rarely had worthier rendering
than that which it received at the hands OF
Misses Barber, Powers Field and Wynne, on
this occasion. The audience applauded with
a will and well was the applause deserved.
Two charming vocalists, Misses Baughn and
| Travers, gave Kucken's duet, "Alpine Morn
ing" with fine effect. They seemed to catch
the very inspiration of the song, for clear and
| ringing came the notes as if the pure crisp air
of the mountain side were carrying them to
the echo haunts. Misses Hobgood Drifting
ham, Jones and Haw, representatives of Miss
| Corprew's class, next gave the overture from
era DiavOlo," a composition recognized as the
delight of the cultivated, and rendered it with
a precision and expression, alike creditable to
themselves and teacher. Miss Gertrude Harris
then sang lima" solo by Ardita, and did it
SO sweetly that storm of applause greeted its
close. Her voice has greatly improved since
we heard her last year, and the flowing meas
ure of the song she chose served to bring out
prominently the effect of excellent training An
other captivating vocal piece was Clapisson' s
trio-"The Reapers," in which three of the
most pleasant voices in the school united with
| IHC uetpplCoI 0l lcSulGS ueu CdIn6 Lue MID
cite and Finale, I'd Symphony, by Haydn. 1t
was performed with rare excellence, and
stamped Misses Starke, Hardin, Scheduled
and Baughn, as pianists of whom any pro-
lessor might well feel proud. Perhaps the best
specimen of vocalsm afforded during the even
ing was a solo, ell Sogno," by Miss Augusta
Travers. She sings with expression and there
is strength and power as well as sweetness
in her voice, that enables her to reach towards
the extremes with the greatest of ease The
entertainment closed with chorus "Holy is
God the Lord" by the vocal class. Through
out there was scarcely selection which was
not encored, and which did not deserve it, but
as the programme was long, no responses were
permitted. Several of the young ladies, how
ever were compelled to come forward and bow
their acknowledgements, and others still were
the recipients of handsome floral testimonial
from admiring auditors. 1t was pleasant
evening and Prof Ide, and Misses Daniel and
Corprew, must not be surprised if they are ere
long called upon to again give to lovers of
music repast SO acceptable.
THRIFT OF THE CoLoRED PEopLE.-A
statement has been published giving the as
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