Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-14
CENTENNIAL CHORUS
A Public Rehearsal at Convention
.GNl Hall Last Night.
FOUR THOUSAND SPECTATORS ENJOY IT
There Were Fifteen Hundred Sing
ers in the Chorus.
OTHER CENTENNIAL NEWS.

Fully 1000 people crowded into Conven-
ton Hall last night to show their appreca-
ton Of the efforts Of the centennial music
committee and to listen to one Of the grand
est rehearsals that has ever been heard in
Washington. Notwithstanding the heavy
downpour Of rain, the crowd began TO as
semble in front of the hall before o'clock.
and when at 7:30 the box office was opened
there was a double line Of people extending
over nearly a block waiting to secure
tickets.
Promptly at o'clock the rehearsal began.
America was the first number rendered.
after Prof. Coward had gone over two Sc
lections with the band. and 1t was given IN
grand style. the rafters of the immense
building fairly seeming to shake with the
melody Of the 1.50O voices.
THE Heavens Are Telling was the next
number attacked. Notwithstanding the in
tricate music contained in this selection, it
was rendered with the tone and correct
ness of concert quartet. and as the last
notes died away the audience fairly burst
forth with a spontaneity of applause which
has seldom been heard in Washington.
After the rendition of Hail, Columbia in
magnificent style Dudley Bucks grand "Te
Deum' was rendered In E fiat. This prov
| ed to be the artistic hit of the evening, and
the immense crowd sat as one spelloound
| until the last note died away, and So en-
raptured were they that 1t was several
moments before the silence was broken
Then mighty rumbling sound started in
| the rear of the hall and gradually swelled
into a thunderous burst Of applause, which
| must have awakened a responsive chord in
| the breasts Of Prof. Coward and the music
committee.
This composition has never been sung
with military band accompaniment, and
was especially arranged for the Marine
Band by Mr.. A. Tregina Of that organiza-
ton. The support which the band gave to
the chorus testified to the excellence of the
arrangement.
The Star Spangled Banner.
Mr.. Charles B. Hanford was next intro
duced. and Mr.. Coward announced that the
rendition Of THE Star Spangled Banner"
| by the chorus would be preceded by re-
cital Of the same piece by Mr.. Hanford. He
| had caught the humor of his audience. and
| as each successive verse was concluded the
| applause was louder and longer. until when
'O'er the land of the free and the home Of
| the brave was repeated for the last time
| the audience had been worked up TO such
| a pitch of enthusiasm as to cause the
| women to stand up in their chairs and mad
y wave their handkerchiefs. Mr.. Hanford
responded to the encore with Jacques re-
| cital. Il Met Fool in the Forest" from
| the second act Of las You Like It."
The chorus then sang In grand style THE
Star Spangled Banner" after which that
| Home" was rendered In a manner that
brought tears to many an eye and caused
many minds to wander back to happier
| days past
The receipts will. 1t is believed, net the
| centennial committee over 500.
The following gentlemen volunteered
their services as ticket sellers and takers
Frederick Naimaster, H. H. Hazard and
J. B. Bailey. Ticket takers. K street-W
s. Olive, Guy s. Davis r. w. johnson and
David Tally. Ticket takers. street-W
G. Bateman. ]. B. Daish. w. N. Fisher.
Ushsrs-william F. Hart. Brewer Spransy,
F. ]. Benjamin, r. B. Judd. e. McNoel R.
n. Yates. 7. Q. Pulizzt. W. Spencer Arm
strong. Guy Collins. Percy W. Gately. ].
Cocker, W. Frank Walker. F. E. Mitchell.
w. o. Berry, J. c. Maxwell and H. c. Con-
nor.
Nearly all the members Of the music
committee. under whose auspices this
grand chorus has been assembled, were
present and appeared to be thoroughly
satisfied with the result Of their work. Mr..
Lawrence Gardner. the chairman. and
other members of the executive committee
| attended and spoke in the highest terms of
the work of the chorus. They believe that
the choral numbers will be one Of the lead
ing features Of the celebration next Mon
day.
Sons of the Revolution.
The committee on meetings Of the So
| ton met in the rooms Of the board of
trade yesterday and completed the final
arrangements for their participation In
the parade on the 18th. A telegram was
| received from Gen. Horace Porter of New
| York, president of the society, asking for
| information as to where the delegates from
| the different states were to assemble ard
] the position that would be assigned them
| in the line.
1t was decided that the two societies, the
| Sons of the American Revolution and Sons
| of the Revolution, should assemble first al
the Arlington Hotel and proceed at IL 80 tc
| their prescribed place, near the War De-
partment, to Join in the parade.
grand banquet will be rendered the
members of the two societies at the Ar
| lington on the evening of the 18th.
The Oldest Inhabitants.
The Oldest Inhabitants Association at q
| meeting held last night decided that they
would attend the centennial celebration in
| body and furnish their own carriages
| provided the executive committee would
| furnish them with thirty seats on the
grand stand. 1t Is thought that this will
| be done.