St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-03
MINNEAPOLIS.
BOYS ON The STAGE.
Children Of the Public Schools
Give a Creditable
Concert.
They Tackle Some Classical
Productions With Fair
Success.
The Law Alumni Hold a Bois-
ferrous Banquet at the
Holmes.
Commencement Exercises of
the University Of Com
merce and Finance.

The embryo men and women of the
local public schools held the boards at
the Grand last night, and if these Young
people did not demean themselves pro.
feSsiOnally and assume stage airs, they
won as much applause and provided as
good an entertainment as many asDir-
ing professionals.
The occasion was that Of the annual
public school concert, under 'the sole
management and dictatorship of Prof.
o. E. McFadon, who deserves much
credit for the precision and general
completeness with which the youngsters
rendered their several choruseS. When it
is understood that preparation for such
an event is neces sarily disjointed, be-
cause of the separation of the various
parts of the chorus during the greater
half of the training, there will be seen
that much skill in discipline and method
has been used. The chorus, composed
entirely of boys, was drilled IN sections
at the various schools, and had only
rehearSed in concert some few times
previous to last night, yet there was no
hesitation displayed, and all were evil
IDENTIFY familiar with their parts.
The theater interior presented an I'M
wOnted appearance by 8 o'clock, with
the rows of seats in the auditorium
filled with an Enthusiastically interested
school element; parents with the re-
pIainder of their families awaiting the
bright faces they knew so well; teach
ers quiet and dignited, though equally
anxious to see what that boy'' could
do. 1t was pretty sight when the cur
tain went UP. HE entire width and
depth Of the huge stage had
been utilized. and then the num-
bers crowded Director McFadon TO the
footlights, where once or twice lie
nearly lost his balance i'll his enthusi-
asm. Row after row of fresh young
faces extended clear across the stage,
and in this way, though 1t made
charming and unusual picture, the ar
rangement precluded a full display of
strength, for much of the volume
was lost in the wings. The boys
enjoyed themselves hugely, and when
the curtain descended on the finale of
Parts L. and ii. Babel was let loose be-
hind it, and they finally got SO warmed
up that they not only sang with guSto,
but WhoOped themselves hOarse as they
dispersed from the theater. 1t was Il
hne opportunity TO view the school boy
in his element, and If his irrepreSsi-
billy last night is any criterion it is
easily seen that the average teacher
works hard for her salary.
But the boys were very good after all,
and their pranks were harmless; one
thing can be said of them, they respond
ed to Prof. McFadon's baton like so
many active grasshoppers, and created
continued amusement by their restless
mischief. 1T is safe to say that no
more natural chorus ever occupied that
stage, and the evident disregard for
staid propriety was half the charm.
The singing of classical compositions
by such a chorus is novelty, and Prof.
McFaden has, no doubt, labored inces-
sanity to reach the degree of merit they
have attained. In the list were num-
beers from classic composers that were
given with creditaOle expression and
considerable strength OF tone.