The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-04-08
A SACRED CONCERT.
The Second One in the Trinity
Star Course.

those who would have attended the
sacred concert last night in the Trinity
Star Course of subscription concerts,
but did not dampen tho warm apprecia-
ton of the music lovers who braved the
storm. The acoustics of Trinity church
are not favorable to concert purposes,
but this defect was lost sight of in view
of the admirable programme and its
successful rendition.
From the opening quartette, Bucks
Festival TIE Deum, to the closing num-
Der the interest was sustained evenly
and fully. Mrs. Hodgson is not only
fine musician, but an excellent leader,
whose command over an amateur chorus
is unusually effective. 1t is true the
chorus had strong base in the Trinity
choir, but the unaccustomed clements
were blended with great skill.
Dudley Bucks Festival TIE Deum was
a daring attempt before an audience
acquainted with good music and its
rendition was most excellent. Mr..
Synder's bass was the noticeably strong
good quality, we'll trained, and he is one
OF the few amateurs whose time is as
absolute as precision itself. If COM
mendation hal any effect he should
undertake O solo in the next concert.
The other choruses, particularly "See
the Conquering Hero" Handel, and
Sudds' 81 Will Lay Me Down in Peace
were warmly received.
Miss EnglebY and Miss Ecklotf sang
the duett, Come, Holy Spirit" with a
good understanding of Millards motive.
Miss Peck has clear light soprano
voice. which will improve in delivery
when she has more confidence in it and
is freed from the nervousness which
arises solely from lack of confidence.
Her solo, so God, be Merciful," WAS
warmly applauded.
AS stated the entire programme was
sacred music, suited to the MidLent
season. Miss Van Horn, the accom-
PIANIST, favored the audience by request
with an instrumental number, which
was received with great warmth, The
instrument used was a Sohmer Grand,
furnished by the Hobbie Music Com
pany for this concert, 1t is one of the
finest, if not the finest, piano in Roam
oke. Its tone is bright and full, while
its volume seems limited only by the
performers power. Particularly notice
able was the evenness of its register,
point wherein many instruments are
faulty.
Miss Van Horns touch is clear and
her technique above the average of first
class amateurs, though it is hardly fair
to expect anyone to act as acoompanist
through long and somewhat difficult
programme and still do justice to in
strumental selections, especially on g
piano whose own purity of tone and ex-
act return reveals the slightest flaw on
the part of the performer.
Mrs. Hodgsons selections were the
gems of the evening. Her magnificent
contralto was never more effective. It
is pure and full at every point of reg
lister which seems always to contain
reserve undrawn upon.
Her execution is so easy that it IS
delight to hear her. One is forced to
believe that she sings as bird sings,
because she loves to. 1t would be in
vidious to draw comparisons between
any Of her selections, but lovers of
Handel's grandest masterpiece The
Messiah" thank her for 30 Thou That
Tellest" and "Ho Was Despised." AS
special request she sang "Annie
Laurie" If that is d foretaste of the
Ballad Concert to come after Lent, she
will need Sam Jones' Tabernacle to
hold her audience.