The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-06-07
Miss Mena Branch.

Aria-Concone Miss Mena Branch.
s. First Nocement Of sym mp1tonie Fro
ica-BeetIOcen Misses NJ. Graham, l..
Graves, A Timberlake, r. Smith, L.
Micks, NJ Fason. L. Anderson and H.
Morrison.
g. Cho1us-''C ''Come, Come Away'-A77'.
by Baatnaa11n. Vocal Glass.
A very large audience of residents of
Raleigh and visitors attended the con-
cert-as fashionable and intelligent an
audience as ever assembled in Tucker
Hall. The excellent technical training
shown by the execution of the most diff
cult pieces spoke well for the labor Of
their teacher, Prof. Baumann. Grand
Fantasie, ''Old Hundred" by Rive King,
rendered by Miss Rena Micks, called forth
very enthusiastic applause, as also did the
piano solos performed by Miss Annie Tim
berlake, ''Lucrezia Bofgia," and by Miss
Mamie Faison, ''RigolettO," by List. The
instrumental pieces on four pianos gave
great enjoyment, especially the overture
to ''Semiramis,' from Rossinis opera,
Aida The Switzer's ''Longing for Home
a vocal solo, was sung by Miss Sarah Ed
mundson in a contralto voice Of very great
richness and power. The semi-ehorus,
daylight is Fading" was eXquisitely
sung, and the audience showed good ap-
probation of it by continuous applause.
Miss Meta Graham has a voice Of unusual
power and sweetness for one SO young,
and her rendering Of the DIVA was
charming Miss Mary Lily Kenan sang
LA Giardiniera" with perfect command
of her voice.
The music prizes were presented by kew.
Mr. Watkins as follows: Medal for pro-
gress and excellence in vocal music, to
Miss Meta Branch; for progress and ex-
cellence in instrumental music, to Miss
Annie Timberlake, of Raleigh; the Bau
mann medal for progress during the year.
to Miss Ef1ie McRae, of Laurinburg; and
a prize given by Prof. Baumann for con
tinued progress in music. to Miss Mamie
FaisOn. For two years Miss FaisOn has
won medals and was not allowed this year
to compete for it.
The concert was notable, educational
and social pleasure
Earlier in the week but more especially
on Tuesday, the Sd, the studio of the In
stitute was open to the public, and a mum
ber Of ladies and gentlemen visited it. 1t
was a remarkably pretty and varied dis
play Of the pupils art-wOrk-plaques,
panels china, mirrors, landscapes and all
manner Of artistic ornamental work.
The display of china has never been eX-
celled here, and many Of the mirrors and
plaques and flower r-panels show careful
work and good training. But what shall
be said of the landscapes and the very
ambitious figure pieces? Some of the
landscapes are beyond doubt very prettily
done, noticeably one by Miss Pattie Cobb,
one by Miss Carrie Rhem .(winter scene),
one by Miss Katie McIver, one by Miss Liz
zie McDuffie, and one by Miss Mary X. Bing
ham, and Miss Sallie Clarke has beautiful
work Of many kinds. But in the very ambi
tious stag hunt by Miss Mena Branch and
the hunting scene by Miss Jennie Simpson,
excellent as parts Of the work are done,
too ambitious efforts have been made by
the young artists-too ambitious for their
experience in drawing. Miss Susie Phil
lips's crayon drawings were most excel
lently done, and were, perhaps, the very
best work in the studio.
The art department of Peace Institute
has done work of which we all have right
to feel proud, and many of its pupils have
shown uncommon skill and diligence.
But during their pupilage as schoolgirls
at least, there is ever danger of wishing
to become artists before they become
draughtsmen. Yet such ambition is
praiseworthy, and Miss Jennie Simpsons
hunting scene is rather remarkable piece
of work