The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-23

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the celebration af Yorktown In October,
tue Congressional Committee 10 charge OF
the celebration have. been mindful OF the
importance OF the musical features natu-
rally expected on such an occasion, and
have devoted to this part OF the programme
as large an amount as they lhought could
be spared from the limited appropriation
at their disposal. The Richmond corre-
spondent OF The New York Herald writes
that II Is gratifying TO know that the man.
agement OF this part OF the programme has
been entrusted TO most competent hands,
and that The progress aIresdy made IN prep
aration and Tehearsals assures the promise
Of successful and satisfactory perform
ance. ....u
The difficulties OF .he undertaking might
have proved too formidable for less ener-
getic conductor than the gentleman who has
II in hand, since he has had 10 collect cho-
rus mostly OF unframed voices and give them
elemental teaching and drilling through
the parts OF the music proposed TO be sung.
II Is a feproaeh 10 this city that with very
considerable musical capacities there is no
choral body that csn be made the nucleus
for large chorus when needed for great
public occasion like this. A welhtrained
body OF singers as q nucleus would have
been a powerful auxiliary in the un-
fertakng, and would most mate
rally assist and tighten the labor.
Indeed, with such assistance the work
OF preparation would have been easy,
and could have been done In less than
half the time necessary under existing cir
cumstances. Another difficulty in the way
tbat will afft ct the size and strength OF the
chorus Is The distance 10 Yorktown and the
time required for the trip, which will pre-
vent the attendance OF many singers who
cannot spare the lime from their business.
But despite these drawbacks and difficult
ties, there viii be aD effective male chorus
OF about 300 good voices, who already show
excellent results OF the last i've or six
weeks rehearsal. As yet the chorus is di.
yided into three sections for the conve-
nience OF members living In different p1rts
of the city, each section meeting once
week for rehearsal. They have been
brought together once or twice for mass
rehearsal at Singer Halle, the meeting. place
of the middle section. The success OF their
performance will be largely owing 10
the energy and ability Of the conductor.
Charles L. Siegel, who collected the chorus
and has trained 1t to its present state OF
efficiency. Nr. Segel Is maestro Of local
reputation, to whom has been owing the
credit Of most OF the successful amateur
performances gotten up in this city for sew
eral years past, within which time, With the
aid OF local talent, he has set several operas
on the stage, among them excellent per-
iormanees OF "Der FreschulZP and
+" Stradela.v The instrumental aecompani-
ment for the chorus will be done by the
Marine Band from WashiDgton-a band
that deserves its reputation as one OF the
best in the country.
The programme Is Of course made up
mainly Of patriotic and popular music, en-
bracing "Hail, Columbia" "The Star
Spanged Banner" my Country, 'Tis OF
Thee &c, and out OF compliment to our
French visitors, "The Marselllaise." Be-
sides these wellknown patriotic songs,
there will be sung a hymn and the
" Centennial Ode" written for the CO.
casion. The music selected for tue
HYMN is an Ave MaIia," opus 200,
No. 2, by }. +. Schmolzer. an emf
pent German composer. This Is n com.
position OF great beauty and dignity,
whose lofty and devotional character well
adapts 1t for use on such an occasion. 1t
has become a great iayorlte with the chorus
and others who have heard il, and, some
what strange to say, It Is, perhaps, better
sung than any other number on the pro-
gramme, though less familiar in style and
character and requiring finer singing and
nicer shades OF expression. The words
were written and adapted to the music by
Mr.. Charles POindexier, OF this city.
The Centennial Ode Is written by Paul III.
Hayne, of Georgia, and set to music by j.
Mosenihal, OF New York. The music OF
this composition has not commended Itself
to favor like that of the hymn, but the
words are OF far greater merit. and 1t will
be sung with great spirit, as belts tue most
prominent number on the programme. Mr..
Hayne, the author OF the ode, Is we'll
known southern poet.