St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-13
The Late Smngerfest.


To Whom it May Concern: When the
Sengerfest was organized in Minnesota
twenty-five years ago, its object was the
furtherance of the cultivation of vocal music
by the different singing societies and to in
culcate this grand theme, semi-annual
sfengerfests were inaugurated and prizes
offered to be competed for. The judges to
decide as to the supremacy of the singing
are to be qualified and disinterested men.
Accordingly Profs. PREM, Thomas Kerller,
Franz Danz. George Seibert and Henry
Stein We're selected, one by each society OF
st. Paul, I understand, as the Judges for
the late priZe-Singing.
Just before the competition Mr. Stein
was, however. confronted by several MEM
berS Of the OrpheuS society and requested
to withdraw; they wanted their leader, Prof.
Hattinger to act in his place. Mr.. Stein,
comparing the glory to be derived with the
insult received (ATr. Stein used the word
insult HIMSELF, withdrew after some
commotion and Hattinger acted in his place.
The only societies entered for the first
class prize were the Saltwater M@nner-
chOr and Minneapolis FrohSinn. 1t is
customary that the leaders of the different
societies decide by drawing as to rotation of
appearance last having, of course, a
little the advantage-but this time this
seemed to be unnecessary, and at once the
command came: saltwater must sing
first"
After the contest the leader of the Froh-
sim acknowledged the fact that they were
defeated, but of course this was for the
judges to say. Now, then. the majority of
the five (which are thlee) decide as to the
supremacy Of the competing societies, and
they did decide, but when their report was
read on Sunday disappointment Swallowed
the faces Of those present at the prize sing
ing worse than when the GLOBE reporter
seemed to take his shadow for Pretzel.
CONSERVATION, even, betOOk the MinneapO-
lites as they heard that the first prize had
been awarded to the FrOl.Sinn and not to
the Saltwater M9nnerchor to whom the
voice of the people had awarded it almost
unanimously.
But as some may think that the Judgment
Of three or four supposed competent judges
there was no unity among them, Prof.
PREM openly declaring himself in favor of
StillWater) is more reliable than 80 per
cent. of the audience, hereby publish the
opinions of eminent musical men, yes
among them the leading musical talent of
Minnesota:
Prof. Leib, after being informed that
the interview would be published,
and after criticising both societies,
said: Taking it as a whole, the Saltwater
Mennerchor sang so much superior to the
FrohSinn that it certainly ought to have had
the prize"
Prof Wood said: 81 did not hear the
M8nnerchOr sing the first few measures.
but judging from what [ did, they ought to
have had first prize, as the beginning of the
piece is very easy and the most difficult part
is in the second half"
Prof. Pottgieser: SIT was a pleasure for a
musician to listen to the male voices of the
MRnnerchor, and it is very seldom anyone
has chance to hear a song brought out in
such fine shape. The shading was excel
lent. The leader of the Frohsinn is a par
ticular friend of mine, but he ought never
to have accepted the prize. as he must know,
as an eminent musician which he is, that his
society was not entitled to it,"
Prof. Stein was met on the street and de-
clared: eff l hadn't been insultingly re-
quested to take a back seat and crowded
out, things would not have worked as they
did, and the party entitled to the prize
would have received it,"
Prof. Jacobs of New Ulm said: ssStill-
water deserved the first prize and it's a
shame they did not get it."
Prof. erode, leader Of the fest: 81 was
disappointed when [ heard the announce
ment." (As there We're only two societies
competing it is easy to know why he was
disappointed
Prof. PREM, one of the Judges, washed
his hands by saying: ''You have them show
you the reports, and you will find one
marked 40 for Minneapolis, and rs for Still
water: that's mine :"
Prof. o. Werner of the Conservatory of
Music of Saltwater, in communication to
the Volkszeitung, criticises the judges and
transfers the honors to the Mannerchor.
We have here the judgment of eight I'M
biased gentlemen who were present at the
singing, the statements of two of whom are
sufficient to not only convince the music
loving people of st. Paul, but of the entire
state, of the fact that two-possiblv
three-of the judges have erred in making
their decision.
The prize carried home by the Mime
apolis Frohsim may decorate the wall. but
1t will never be decoration to their hall.
and if it had been awarded to the Still
water MennerchOr, and popular sentiment
would supersede its rightful possession. as
is the case with the Frohsinn, it would Ger
tainly be returned to the judges OF officers
Of the bund, with regrets. s.