Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-19
LAST NIGHTS CONCERT.
Fifty Thousand People Listen to the Must.
cal Program.
The Great Chorus and the U. 3. Marine
Great Enthuxiasm.

son. promptly at 6 o'clock, struck the first
note on the chimes the Capitol grounds
were one mass of moving people. Rein
forcements continued to arrive. and at
o'clock. the hour appointed for the chorus
to begin singing. the entire plaza in front
Of the immense building. AMI some distance
outside Of the grounds. was packed so COM
pletely with humanity that one could with
little difficulty. have walked on heads from
the steps on the east front to the Green
ough statue, without the slightest danger
of q fall
Delay in COmmenc1nE.
Owing to the fact that the general pub
lie crowded into the stand reserved for the
singers. and the process OF wedding them
out taking considerable time, 1t was after
before the first notes Of the grand march.
as rendered by the Marine Band. floated
out on the air 1.-THE Heavens Are Telling
was sung by the chorus. accompanied by
the band. and as the last notes lied away
mighty shout went up from the vast su-
dience. Tie overture from ''Sem'ramide"
was next played by the Marine Band after
which Home. Sweet Home that most
plaintive and ever-appealiag melody, was
chorus under the leadership CT Assistant
Director John p. Lawrence, who, by the
mastery manner In which he handled the
large chorus and band. showed himself to
sweetest instrumental ,eleccion ON the Pro-
gram. Monastery Bells then followed.
and In its rendition the Marine Band made
many friends. If the mighty outburst of ap-
plause which followed can be taken as q
criterion to judge by.
A Mighty Wave of Melody.
The chorus next sang rhe Coronation"
hymn, and at the special request OF Mr..
Coward the entire audience joined in.
IN. rly in
will such music De heard In Washington.
In all that vast crowd no discord could be
detected. and as the singers sained cour-
age and entered into the singing with
more spirit the heavens fairly appeared to
shake with the mighty wave Of melody.
This number was sung withou: acconlpani-
ment. and demonstrated perfectly the ex-
cellent balance as TO parts q" the great
chorus. and the thorough drilling 1t had
Next followed "A Trip to Mania tan
Beach, a descriptive selection rendered by
the band Hail Columbia was next
sung by the chorus. and was followed ty a
rather amusing descriptive piece by the
band, entitled In the Clock store.
MI. Hanford's Recitation.
Then came one II tine principal features
of the evening. the ever popular Nj Chas.
b. Hanford. in his recitation, The Star
Spangled Banner The familiar words
were given with a distinctness OF eaLncia-
ton and a vigor Of utterance thar enabled
Mr.. Hanford's voice to ne clearly heard even
TO the outer edge Of he last assern5Iage.
and his effort was certainly an elocutlonary
triumph. The crowd fairly went wild with
enthusiasm. and when. Immediately after,
the chorus struck Up The Star s'pangled
Banner" hats we're tnrown into the air,
and for moment even the voices If the
immense chorus were drowned This only
lasted for a short while. and III a Few mo-
rnents the audience had caught the spirit
nf NJ in iot, tAd N "a a.
ing The audience was now thoroughly
good humored one. and after "A Trip TO
Mars" by the Marine Band. the people dis
persed to their homes. not. however, be-
fore delivering several lusty cheers in token
of their appreciation OF the efforts of the
music committee.
During the wedding out process in the
space reserved for he chorus. IN the early
part of the evening, Maj Briscoe Of the
committee on comfort. and Messrs. Weller,
Smith, Scaggs. and others Of the general
order committee. rendered most valuable
service In securing seats in the congress
sionai stand for those who were forced to
vacate the central or music stand.
The Illumination.
The illumination Of the east front Of the
Capitol last night was a thing Of beauty
and was greatly admired by the immense
throng that gathered to listen to the con-
cert The arrangement of the lights was
artistic and the effect was sufficiently bril-
liant to enable the chorus and musicians
to distinctly see their music. which was a
good test. The success of the illumination
was due to the active efforts of Messrs. A.
B. Ciaxton and W. F. Hart OF the iIlumina-
ton committee, who designed II and person.
ally superintendent all the details.
Notes of the Day.
That Professor Edwards work in organ
izing and drilling the chorus was thorough
ly appreciated by the general committee is
evidenced by the presentation to him of a
handsome solid silver souvenir badge, on
the ribbon of which was inscribed director
of the Chorus" IN letters of gold. This
given to him Sunday afternoon by
Chairman Gar1uer, IN behalf Oe the COM
mittee. and was proudly worn by the pro-
feSSor during the exercises yesterday.
Secretary Lamont was unable to attend
the ceremonies yesterday. The War Depart
ment was represented. however, by Gen.
Schofield.
A very pleasing incident Of the parade was
the salute given the fire companies by two
hook and ladder companies which were
stationed at the corner of 18th street and
pennsylvania avenue. As the fire cOmpa-
MES passed that point the bells on the
trucks were sounded, and. together with the
response Of the different companies. was
mingled the applause of the large crowd
that thronged the streets in that vicinity
The engine and hose carriage Of the Hy-
draulion company from Alexandria. which
were tastefully and handsomely decorated
were the subject of much praise during the
course of the parade.
Accompanying the Hydraulion company
was a young boy not more than ten years
who tramped along like a veteran and
wore the uniform of the company
The carriage drawn by the brooklyn, vet
Grams was beautiful piece of mechanism
and was greatly admired along the route
The members of this organization are all
odd ttners,' no one being under the age of
nfty years Each one, too, has the distinc-
ton OF having been honorably discharged
in 1852 after having been engaged in the
volunteer service for five or more years
A dog. rushing wildly Up and down the
avenue between IL and 9Th streets and
on the sidewalk succee lid in causing TO
little confusion for cew minutes among
those taking part in the parade.
After the rear of the procession had en-
tered the Capitol grounds. the cable cars
half an hour, two lines If cable cars could
the treasury building, with hardly six feet
between each train.
The Program of the Music ut the
Capitol Last Evening.
Following the full program of the
concert at the Capitol last evening. which
closed the celebration:
l. Grand march. National Capitol Centen-
NAL Fanciull. United States Marine
Band.
, Chorus-"The Heavens Are Telling" from
10 ion and