St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-03-16
THE CONVENTION.
Splendid Chorus of Two Hundred
Voices-Three Good Concerts-AMusic-
al and Financial Success.

al anu FiHducidi CuCCCSSs
A gentleman from out of town,
who has had 25 years experience
in musical gatherings, and who
was present at the convention
here last week, volunteered this
statement: II have been think
ing for some time past, and have
been more than ever convinced
while attending your convention,
that the principle upon which
you have run this onvention-name-
ly, making it emphatically local af-
fair and confined to the singers of
this and surrounding towns-is the
true principle on which to manage
such gatherings, since it makes them
OF so much greater benefit to those
who participate, as well as to the
entire community"
The committee in charge appre-
ciated this bit of testimony and the
musical and financial success
achieved has confirmed the view
which was taken at the outset-that
a convention thus arranged on local
basis could be satisfactorily carried
out.
The preliminary rehearsal on Mon
day evening gave evidence that a
large chorus might be looked for;
and although the stage had been en-
larged so as to accommodate nearly
$50 singers, it became necessary by
Wednesday morning to make still
further extension to provide room
for the 200 who participated in the
chorus work. The weather was
simply perfect during the entire
week, lively interest in the con-
vention was felt in the surrounding
towns, and as a result a chorus
> which was pronounced the largest
and best ever seen in St. Johnsbury
gathered at Music Hall and put in
some telling work.
e The music used included the
Damascus March, from the oratoric
! of Naaman; "The Heavens are Tell
4 ing" from 3he Creation; "To Thee
O o Country, Italia" and numbe
: of choruses from Carl Zerrahn'
=, latest book. That this large com
=, pany of singers was carefully ant
= :, effectively drilled by J. H. Humphre,
y - is conceded by all who had plac
3 either in the chorus or in he audience
>, which gathered from time to tim
" during the convention; and tn
facility with which so great numbe
le of voices settled down to smootl
l. work was frequently and admiring
n ly commented on. BY Thursda.
,r noon the chorus was in splendi
s trim and the tout ensemble wa
Il something grand and inspiring
:. credit alike to singers and orchestr
q and the efficient and painstakini
-s conductor. The sight of so large
: chorus, viewed from the galleries
on stage brilliantly lighte
by electricity, was one long to b
o remembered.
There was a very general an
hearty response on the part OF out
. of-town singers, and some fifteen lc
j. calitics outside of St. Johnsbury wer
te represented in the chorus by goodl
t. delegations; singers from ever
church in town participated, and
. pleasing and helpful feature of tn
= convention was the presence c
is many local singers with good voice
who havenot appeared in public TO
,e some time past
ii United with the chorus was an OF
chestral club under the leadership c
:. w. H. Herrick, which did exec
D. lent service. From the first its men
!, bers showed much interest in tn
~ ~ convention, and gave not littl
~ ~ time to preliminary rehearsals. TIL
u clubs support of the chorus in tn
heavier selections was fine an
er "bracing," and the individual selet
'r tions given at the concerts wer
n, greatly enjoyed. The club was as
ID sisted by N R. Young of the IRE
III mont Theatre, Boston, as frs
s. violinist.
x Beginning Tuesday evening seve
st regular rehearsals were held an
20 three concerts given. AT
IL THE FIRST CONCERT
on Thursday evening this excellen
programme was presented:
Overture, prince and Valet" Griswol
i, Orchestral Club.
Awake, Thou That Sleepest," Stain'
Chorus.
m "Bugle Song" Hatto
'N Mahogany Quartette
Song, "Nightingae's Trill," Gar
y. Miss Graham,
- Natures Lullaby" Lesl
c. Chorus.
4, Song, Looking Backward" Sulliva
LH Miss Penniman.
Piano Duet, Selecte
Mrs. II. A. Stanley, Mrs. G. H. Frost.
#, Jack Frost" Ca
IS Chorus.
Ie Might Witchery," Store
~ Boylston Quartette.