The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-11
FESTIVAL t
hi RehearsaIs of the Great Chorus and Other
Preparations for tho Festival.

The RehearsaIs of the Great Chorus and Other
Preparations for the Festival.
Professor Schonaker, one of thu most brilliant
and accomplished piano-players in the State, is
the accompanist of the festival chorus.
The relative strength of the parts, counting
only the Indianapolis members of the chorus, is
zoo sopranos, 125 altos, 1l5 bassos, and 100 ten
OTIS.
Professor Barus is well pleased with his cho-
rus, and the chorus is equally delighted with its
director, 80 there is complete satisfaction all
around.
1t is noteworthy that the chorus is composed
OF volunteers. no rehearsal ticket having been
sent to any one who has not In person or by letter
applied for the same.
The executive committee Of the festival and
the director have under consideration the names
the course of a few days one or more of them
will be engaged for the solo work Of the festival
nights.
The rehearsal programme for tomorrow night
is the same as that of last Monday night,
Liginis THE Lord is Great" and Mendelssohn's
Hear Ny Prayer" At the third rehearsal the
chorus will the study of the march
and chorus from s'Tannhauser,n by Wagner,
and as the fourth rehearsal, 'Lorelei" will be
taken up.
Mrs. u. J. Hammond sang the solo 20 for the
Wings of q Dove in Mendelssohn's "Hear My
Prayer" The lady had not known, until she
entered the hall, that che was expected for this
service, but her rendering of this exquisite pas
sage was none the less admired, and was a treat
to the entire chorus.
The Lyra Society will devote half an hour of
each of their weekly rehearsals during April to
the study of the festival music, and in May will
join in the regular chorus rehearsals. The So
concert which precludes their attendance upon
the chorus rehearsals until after April.
There will be a Encouragement of the seats in
Pfaf1in's Hall for tomorrow nights rehearsal.
The accompanied and director will be in the CEN
ter of the hall, opposite the door, and the seats be
location of the different parts will be indicated
clearly so that there need be no confusion.
During this week Professor Barus intends
completing his arrangements for the organiza-
ton of the festival orchestra. He has thought it
best to have the chorus well organized first,
but from the assurances of cooperation he has
received from the best musicians Of the city, he
has no doubt of equal success in arranging for
the instrumental portions of the programme.
the names Of all the leading members Of the
Matinee Musicale, the Mendelssohn, Manner
Choir and Lyra societies. as well as the choirs of
the Second Church, Roberts Park, Meridian
street, First Baptist. Memorial, Seventh Church
and the Catholic choirs are found on the festival
chorus register and in active participation in the
rehearsals. Not less than forty competent solo
lists are members of the chorus.
The first rehearsal of the chorus was NOT only
the largest, but probably the most enthusiastic
gathering of musical people that has ever been
held IN indianapolis. Everybody was surprised
to find over 400 of the best singers of the city all
gathered under one conductor. and the outburst
Of applause with which Professor Barus was
greeted was recognized by chorus and director
alike as an indication that all would work to-
gether with enthusiasm for the success of the
festival.
The indianapolis chorus will be supplemented
by the best musical talent from many Of the
towns and cities of the State. Among those
who will this week commence the rehearsal of
local contingents OF the festival at their re-
s~pective cities are Mr.. John G. Reed, Union
City; Mr.. Geo. Shuts. Noblesville; Prof. John
B. De Motto, Greencastle; Mr.. John w. Jones.
Greenfield, and Link Sailors, Thorntown. Core
spondence is in progress which will result in a
number of other places being represented in the
chorus. These outside contingents will be re-
hearsed weekly at their own homes, and will be
visited at least once prior to the festival by Prof.
Barus, and will be expected to attend one grand
rehearsal, to be held early in the festival week.
1t Is probable that the attendance at to-mor-
| nights rehearsal will test the seating capacity of
Pfaf1iin's Hall. but it is believed all ticket-hold-
ers will be accommodated. Owing to the
size of the chorus, however, it will be
impracticable to allow visitors at the re-
hearsals; and none will be admitted as
singers who have not provided themselves with
tickets prior to the rehearsal. The rehearsals
will commence promptly at s o'clock, and will
conclude before 10. The coupon system which
has been adopted for the rehearsal tickets ena-
bles the director to keep a record of the attend
ance of each member Of the chorus at the
cancel the tickets Of those who are irregular 10
attendance.