Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-06
THE CENTENNIAL CHORUS.
It Will Give Public Rehearsal in Con-
vention Hall
This VIII he a Novelty to the WASH
fngtOn Public-The Marine Band
and the Celebration.

The musical portion Of the exercises at
the centennial celebration Of the laying Of
the corner stone Of the Capitol building
will be decided feature Of the occasion.
The big chorus, which was at first fixed at
LOCO voices. has outgrown its original linn
its and now numbers about 1900 The va
rious divisions have been in active rehear-
sal for over a month and some Of them have
been having two rehearsals a week Two
combination rehearsals have been held, one
on Capitol Hill in the Metropolitan Pres
bytertan Church. in which the Capitol Hill,
northeast. southwest. Anacostia and Eek
ington divisions participated. and the other
at the Congregational Church on Monday
night. covering the central city divisions.
OF which mention was made in The Star
yesterday.
Another combination rehearsal will be
held, probably on Saturday night, to in
Guide the western city divisions and George
town.
A Grand Public Rehearsal.
1t Is desired by the chairman Of the
chorus committee and also by Director
Coward that there should be one grand as
sembling of the whole chorus including not
only all the city divisions. but those from
Hyattsville. Takoma. Rockville, Alexandria
and Falls Church. and the only available
Aoii III WHICH 10 gather so large body OF
singers is the Convention Hall over the K
street market. This will probably be Sc
cured and public rehearsal given about
the middle of next week; that is, the public
mssion-25 cents.
This will be novelty. for the public will
then have an opportunity Of seeing just how
a big chorus is drilled. Prof. Coward will
handle his force just the same as though
there were no spectators and the singers
themselves will not feel any such restraint
as at a formal concert.
Satisfied with the Progress.
The director Of the chorus, Prof Coward,
and his principal assistant. Mr.. John p
Lawrence, have visited nearly all the sub
divisions and state that the work in each
Is progressing in the most satisfactory
manner The chairman of the chorus COM
mittee has made many visits and has been
present at both combination rehearsals and
expresses himself highly gratified not
only with the large attendance, but with
the excellence of the work performed He
says that the chorus has developed even be-
yond his anGcipations. When he first men,
toned the project to Mr.. Gardner 1t was
considered hardly possible to secure a
thousand singers who would give the neces-
sary time to rehearsals and then sing in
the open air on the day of the celebration
He insisted on the attempt being made
however. and the result has been the as
sembling of number fifty per cent great
er than that he fixed as his maximum.
Last night the southwest division under
Director George Godron, held a well-at-
tended rehearsal at the Baptist Church
The fakoma chorus also held a satisfactory
rehearsal last night under the direction Of
Mr.. Thee. Friebus. jr.
The Marine Band.
1t has been anticipated that the United
States Marine Band would act in perfect
harmony with the chorus in making the
musical portion of the celebration a success
All the numbers that the chorus will sing
have been arranged for the band and the
accompaniment Of such a body of skilled
musicians. who have greatly improved
their work under the leadership of Prof
Fanciulli, would add greatly to the effect.
The presence of the band on that occasion
Is assured by the following letter:
l.. GARDNER. Esq. Chairman, etc.
Sir: In reply to your letters of this dat
l have TO inform you that the United States
Marine Band has been ordered to report to
Or. +. L. Howe chairman Of the sub-com-
mittee, at United States Capitol on the
afternoon OF Monday, September IS, for
such service as may be assigned them in
connection with the centennial ceremonies
or the laying OF the corner stone.
have the honor to be, very respectfully
H. A. HERBERT
Secretary of the Navy
Prof. Fanciulli has personally expressed
his interest in the celebration, and II is un-
derstood will give all the assistance possible
to the music committee The Marine Band
has four solo numbers on the day program
and the same on the program for the even
ing entertainment