Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-02
THE CENTENNIAL CHORUS.
The Northeast Division Now Has the
Largest Membership.
A Record Number of 23O-Splendid Re-
hearsal Last Nfght-Other Division
WOrk-COmbinatiOn Rehearsal.

The centennial chorus. which 1t was pre-
dicted when it was first projected would
be difficult to get to thousand. has sur
passed the anticipations of those most IN
terested. and will number fifteen hundred
voices. The enthusiasm in the different
divisions has been maintained to the high
est point, and it has been found necessary
to close down upon the membership. The
cause of this earnestness has been due,
first to the systematic plan of orgaaiza ton
and second to the personal efforts of the
assistant conductors. All these gentlemen
have taken the greatest interest in their
work, and each has sought to have his force
as large as possible, and in such a condi-
ton as to receive the commentator OF
the general director
This Prof. edward feels, for he knows
that without the active and hearty CO.
operation of the assistant directors the
effort to assemble a large chorus would
have come to naught. There has been a
generous rivalry between the assistant con-
ductors both as to securing numbers and as
to the thoroughness of drilling, and this
has added materially to the interest of the
members.
Over Two Hundred Present.
Notwithstanding the storm, there were
present at the rehearsal Of the northeast
division. which was held in the Metropoli-
tan Baptist Church last evening. over 200
singers and the full record of this division
is over 23O. Mr.. J. H. Hunter. the assistant
conductor, directed them during the early
portion of the evening, and then Professor
Coward took them in hand and rehearsed
the TIE Deum. and THE Heavens are Tell
ing" The work was remarkably good.
This division and that of Capitol Hill, DR..
F. j. WOOdman, director constitute the lar
gest in point of numbers although several
OF the others have a membership of con-
siderably over a hundred.
The other divisions that rehearsed last
night were the central, w. S. Macarthur,
assistant director, at the First Congrega-
tional Church, and the southwestern di-
vision, which met at the Fifth Baptist
Church under the charge of Assistant Di-
rector George Godron. Both rehearsals
were satisfactory.
The North Central Division.
The rehearsal Of the north central divis-
ion. at the Mt Vernon NJ f. Church, on
Thursday night. was well attended and the
assistant director, Professor Geo. w. Law
renee, gave his force some earnest work
to do. The membership of this division
has now reached about 10, and the voices
are all good. and the parts ell balanced.
| The chairman of the chorus committee
| DIR. Frank T. Howe, was present at this
rehearsal and made some remarks compli-
menting Prof. Lawrence on the high char
acter OF the work his force was doing and
pared favorably with that of other divisions
! he had visited Prof. Coward came in late
and gave them one rehearsal of THE
Heavens are Telling"
Tonight there will be a rehearsal Of the
| northwestern division, of which Prof. John
p. Lawrence has consented to take charge
| and excellent results are expected. On Mon.
day night the western division under MIR
D b. Macleod will meet in ST. Paul's
Church. on I'd street. This division has
been making good progress and will make
itself felt in the big chorus
| The Next Com binatfOn Rehearsal
The combination rehearsal on Monday
night at the First Congregational Church
corner 10th and G streets, will be an inter
esting occasion. The divisions that are re
quested to unite in this are those from tn,
central portion of the city. including ths
northern, north central. central, southwest
ern and lie Droit Park. 1t is expected thai
these Will bring an aggregate membershi,
of about 800. and Prof Coward himself viii
| conduct the rehearsal 1t Is expected tina
| the chairman and several members of tn,
citizens executive committee, as we'll a.
the chairman Of the chorus committee, will
| be present.