The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1884-01-17

E
Many Of the prominent citizens Of Rnt-
land have formed an association for the
purpose Of having musical festival on a
large scale a that place next MAY. mem
snip tickets TO the rehsarsals and concerts
TO 81. 60 each person. The Heraldgives tho
following seconnt Of The plans Of the asso-
citation:
"Censiienble progress was made last
week ia psricc,ing arrangements for the
musical festival in May. The date as
sirued will probably he the 1rst wsek in
that moaih, the exercises being planned TO
include from May TO May 2. Carl Der
rahn will DO musical instructor and sll-
rector The orchestra viii consist of 2S
artists selected from.thn famous German
association Of Boston, many OF whom are
well known solo performers upon their
respective Instruments, aud all OF whom
are recognized as composing the finest
ofchestrs organization in the country, ex-
cept perhaps the New York Philharmonic,
at present managed by Theodore Thomas.
AS Mr.. Thomas and his band are engaged
during April, May and June for series of
concerts aud festivals through the West,
their services could not be procured The
best talcut that Boston affords in that d.
rectinn. however, we arc assured will be
provided Aud it Is doubtful If superior
eau be found TO Mr. Zerrahn as q leader
of vocal masso. The Handel and Haydn
society Of Boston has long been under his
direction and is easily the foremost choral
society in the United States.
Negotiations with various distinguished
yocalisis are in progress and announce.
mcnts Of engagements will soon be made.
A large number of responses have been
received from persons invited to become
members OF the association. Not only in
Rutland, but a large body Of musicians IL
West Rutland, also, have pledged their
attendance, and the society is expected to
embrace branches in Brandon, Poultney,
Farhayen, Wallingtord, CastIeton and
other towns, all OF whom will assemble
upon festival week for instruction and
profit
OF course tho main object Of the festival
is tue development Of musical experience,
cultivation and taste among those who
will become members OF the society The
only requirement for membership IS the
ability to read moderately difficult music
at sight Al suoh persons, Of whatever
age or occupation, are free to join, subject
only TO the approval Of the committee on
chorus, as to musical qualifications. In
yitulions have been sent to lew who are
known to be sufficiently proficient, but the
management do rot intend, OF course, to
exclude others Every person who would
like TO join the association is requested to
communicate, at once, with Il. A, Morse,
secretary Of the society, or with Mr.. Geo
Mieizkc, either personally or by mail IL
has now been ten years since any opportu-
nifty Of the kind has been afforded to the
singers Of this vicinity, and so occasions
for vocal civilizations are now becoming
exceedingly rare. Since the old-fashioned
singing school has SO generally gone out
Of date il is not surprising that tho COM
ing festival is eagerly welcomed by our
musicians. 1t is hoped, il successful that
the society may become, IN measure,
permanent, and in that view il is being
modelled after the well known festival asso-
citation OF Worcester, Mass. which meets
annually, and has been satisfactorily fol.
lowed il its methods in many smaller
places.
The concerts In fact, are only an incl
dental part Of the plan relied upon to par
TALLY defray the expenses Of the work,
aud to illustrate Tho proficiency which, IT
| is believed Tie menibefs viii readily at
tain under the able baton OF Carl Ierrahn.
His instruction is expected to commence
Monday evening and TO continue through
| the week