The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-07

tNIRul-TG OhSSSSSs
Old Sol favored the Laurel Hill fes
tival with his genial smile yesterday
and dispelled the fears Of the patrons
that the success of the gathering would
be marred by continuance of the rain
which came down so heavily during
the early hours Of the morning and
lowered the hopes of the patrons to a
corresponding degree.
The committee worked most ener-
getically to insure the success OF the
festival. Substantial seats were erected
which together with the chairs pro-
vided for reserved seats accommodated
over 3 600 eisteddfodians. The spa
cious platform covered with an i'm
mense awning afforded all the specta-
tors an excellent view of the perform
ers. The duties of the conductor Of the
afternoon session were most ably dis
charged by ]. w. Parson Price, Of New
York.
The session was opened by the rendi.
tion Of THE Star Spangled Banner" by
the competing school choirs, led by
Mr.. Price. after which he explained
that the president Benjamin Hughes,
of Washburn street, was unable to at
tend. and introduced William ]. Lewis
of Catasauqua, who was accorded a
cordial reception. and in brief ad-
dress stated that he had come 100
miles to see one of the most prominent
children of the noble old institution
DR.. Parry-who was present as musical
adjudicator. After passing glowing
tribute upon the doctors accomplish
ments he declared the eisteddfod Open
LADIES CHOIR COMPETITION.
The Ladies' choir competition created
great interest. the contestants being
Mrs. d. B. Thomas choir and Mrs.
Kate Crossin- o Brisn choir, led by
Mrs. W. J. Powell. The test pieces
were "The Bridal OF the Birds" and
my True Love Hath My Heart" DR..
Parry in giving his adjudication de-
clared that he was charmed with the
excellence Of the singing. The first
choir had beautiful voices, neat preci
sion, clear enumeration, sweet elastic.
ity Of voices Balancing Of parts was
excellent and the intonation perfect.
OF the second choir, he said, the total
tonality and blending was not up to
standard Of the first choir and did not
show the variety in quality of voices or
the same care in training. He there.
fore awarded. the prize, $100. to the
first choir led by Mrs. d. B. Thomas,
Of South Main avenue
The next contest was the double
quartette rendition of "Ths Sea Hath
Its Charms by Pinsuti in which the
following participated Miss Lydia
Sailor and party. of Scranton; David
Elias and party, Of Plymouth, and
John 7. Watkins and party. of Hyde
Park. In delivering his adjudication,
DR.. Parry warmly commended the
action Of the committee in adopting the
delicate compositions rather than the
massive ohoruses usually chosen as
best pieces in Wales. In the present
competition delicacy rather than vigor
was required. The prize was awarded
to David Elias and party, of Plymouth,
and cheek for $40 was accordingly
handed to the successful conductor.
WATKINS WON THE PRIZE.
In Che baritone solo, "The Toreador g
Song," five competitors appeared, viz:
7. G. Lewis, of Wilkes Barre; William
Evans, Evan Myles, David Bynon, John
I. Watkins. of Scranton. DR.. Parry
gave a lengthy adjudication and
showered praise upon John 7. Wat
kins in awarding him the prize OF $12
The concluding competition was
"The Star. Spsngled Banner" by school
choirs, the conductor to be under 16
years Of age. The following competed: !:
The Bellevue choir, conducted by
Eddie Davis Q9; the Fourth
Ward school choir. conducted by
John 81, Thomas Q4) and another choir
from the same school, conducted by
Morgan Hawkins Q3). The first choir
made an innovation by waving minia-
turs star spangled banners. Intense
interest was aroused in the competi.
tion, and in giving his adjudication DR.
Parry stated that he was pleased to see
the boy conductors and the excellent
manner in which they perfor rmed their
duties. The prize was ava rded to the
Bellevue choir.
The evening meeting opened with
much increased audience, three thous.
and people crowding the seats. The
president Of the evening session, Oliver
Williams, Of Catasauqua. delivered a
stirring oration on Music" which
was listened to with absorbing atten-
ton.
Master Morgan DeFoye, of Free
land, Pa, was the only competitor In
the cornet solo contest and was
awarded the prize Of $12 The test
piece was ''The Secret, "by Hazel.
Llew Herbert and Dan,Thomas, OF
Shamokin, gave the old Welsh duet,
Betty Wynn" for which an encore
was loudly demanded and responded to.
The competition in the duet. "The
Two Bsrds" (by Parsons PRICE,, prize
$l6-drsw forth six parties.
DR.. Parry declared William Evans
and David Abrahams, of Hyde
Park. the winners and described the
competition as the keenest Of the day.
DR.. Parry in delivering the adjudica-
tion complimented Parsons Price. the
composer of the duet upon the beauty
of the music and urged that Welshman
should set premium upon the produc-
tions OF their fellow-countrymen.
BAND COMPETITION.
Although several brass bands had en-
tered the competition on Zampa's over
ture. Bauer's band was the only one to
appear and were awarded the prize of
$500. Dr. Parry, in making his adjudi-
cation, delivered warm eulogium
upon the young and gifted conductor
and highly recommended the artistic
style. phrasing. tempo, and the prayer
also was rendered in a manner truly
devotional. The claronet solo was
warmly praised
The Jermyn Brass band had walk
over in the contest for the best rendi-
tion Of the "Hallelujah Chorus" for
which a prize Of 800 had been offered.
The adjudicator expressed the sen,i.