Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-01-16
The Musical Convention.

| CldllOus
of nearly forty years, seems to gain
strength with its years, and each sue
ceeding meeting appears to be better
than its predecessor. While a large
number of those who were prominent
in its gatherings have died or moved
from this county, another generation
| has come whose love for the divine
art, and devotion to the interests of
| the society are not less ardent. In
these later years there has been a
disposition to depend more largely on
| foreign talent, musicians and artists
of note, who have been engaged to do
the more difficult or special parts,
which might not be done by any home
talent. This has enabled the direct
or to use the harder kinds of music,
and has given musicians the privilege
or witnessing the work of profession
al artists in various lines.
1t is a matter, it seems to us, wOr-
thy of consideration. whether in the
employment of outside help for solo
parts and for the difficult things of
the conventions, there may not be an
injury done to the musicians of the
association, who with proper opportu-
nifty might do all parts well, and be
developed in confidence and capacity
so that there would be no special
need of going outside for help. The
highest object of these gatherings
should be to impart general instruc-
ton in vocal music, while they help
to develop the musical taste and music
al talent which abound in no small de-
gree among our people. While it is
a great pleasure to listen to the voices
of those gifted in the finer and sweet
er things of song, and while the taste
may be elevated and the knowledge
of what is most lofty in the art may
be increased, the prime and simple
question is whether our musicians re-
ceive greater benefit from this way of
doing. We are not attempting to
criticise, but to call attention. If the
present is the best way, it certainly
ought to be pursued.
In these words we have no thought
that any but the best should be en-
ployed as director, and we consider
the services of Mrs. Shepard indis-
pensable.
The convention opened here on
Tuesday, the weather being stormy,
but respectable number gathered at
the first session. DIR. II. r. Palmer,
who has successfully and satisfactory
ly led the conventions the past few
years, was present, and Martha Dana
Shepard appeared at the piano. Their
presence is a guarantee of success.
Later in the week the numbers in
creased until the chorus numbered
$50, including nearly all the lead
ing musicians in the county, with
good number of delegates from Gale
donia county. Among the more prom
inent musicians of the county we
mention Messrs. Root, True, Cush-
man, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Tracy,
Mrs. Alfred, Mrs. Thrasher and Mrs.
Blanchard of Newport Rev. Geo.
W. Clough and the Misses Aiken of
Troy, Mr.. and Mrs. M. M. Taplin,
Mrs. Guar Jameson of Irasburgh,
John E. Chamberlin of Albany, S.
P Pinney of Greensboro, Mr.. and
Miss Dwinell of Glover. There were
a large number of musicians from the
different towns, not mentioned, who
did efficient work in the chorus.
Harry May of st. Johnsbury, always
a great help to any convention, was
present, also Mr.. Conant and Mr..
Gibson of ST. Johnsbury, Mr.. Glenn
ent of Barnet and Mr.. Reg. Hidden
of Lyndonville, and several others
from Caledonia county took part in
the chorus work and helped in the
matinees.
The music selected averaged hard +,
but the careful drill of the leader and
the efficient help of the piano were
sufficient to accomplish all that was
undertaken. The matinee on Thurs
day afternoon was fairly attended
from outside and was good. Among
those who took part were Miss Ber-
tina Chamberlin of Plainfeld, who
played a pretty piano solo; Misses
Dwinell and Randall, of Glover sang
a pretty duet Mr.. Clement of Bar
net sang song adapted to his heavy
bass voice and received an encore ;
Inez Drew, little Miss of 10 years,
gave piano solo; Mrs. Newland of
Newport gave a song which was fine
ly rendered. Miss Gleason of Bos-
ton, who had been employed as read
er,gaye one or two of her humorous
selections, which were most heartily
enjoyed. Young Mr.. Hidden, former
ly Of Craftsbury, but now of Lyndon
gave difficult violin solo, which was
most happily done. He has made
great improvement on this instrument
in the last five years, and is already
a fine artist. @. III. Prouty of New
port sang song in good taste, and
J. w. Batchelder showed what
the cornet is capable of doing
in good hands.
A concert was given on Thursday
evening which was much enjoyed.
Miss Louise Baldwin and Miss Lillian
C.. Smith of Boston had been employ
ed as soprano and contralto, and they
| took prominent parts in this evening s