The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-09-05
Portage County Musical Association

Portage County Musical Association.
The third annual convention ofthe Portage
County Musical Association, held at Wind
ham last wsek, was gratifying success. The
Convention was opened in the Congregation
al Church, Monday evening, under the di-
rection of Prof. Alfred Arthur, the noted
instructor of Cleveland.
The work of preparing for the rendition of
"The Messiah" the next Friday evening
was Immediately entered upon, in addition
to getting reaky for miscellaneous concert
Thursday evening. There were three ses,
sions each day-morning, afternoon and
evening.
Prof. Daniels and Mr.. Arthur, son of the
Professor, both bassos of superior ability,
were present throughout the sessions. Por-
tage County talent was we'll represented
there being about 10 persons in attendance
from the various townships. Among them
may be mentioned the following soloists
Mrs Lewis and Miss Willard, of Rootstown;
Miss Taylor, of Atwater Mrs. Allen, of Ra-
VIENNA; Miss Freleigh, of Freedom; Mrs.
Buckley, of Edinburg, and Miss Parsons, of
Aurora, sopranos; Miss Alice Seymour, Mrs.
Thomas, Windham; Mrs. Harmon, Aurora,
altos: Prof. Jaeger, Mr.. Birchard, of Wind
ham, and Mr.. Parker, of Aurora, tenors
J. B. Jewell, Ravenna; Prof. Daniels, Cleve-
land Mr.. Ladd. Randolph, and Mr.. Davis,
of Windham, bassos.
| The other attendants from Ravenna were
Mr.. and Mrs. W. S. Wright. Quite number
of our people went over Friday night, to
listen to the Messiah"
The main interest centered in the rendition
of Handel's grand Oratorio, and when Fri
day eveaing came, the singers were greeted
| with crowded house. All the parts were
sustained with splendid fidelity, and rarely
indeed is Portage County audience permit
| ted to listen to an entertainment of equal
merit.
| Prof. Arthur was we'll pleased with the
| work of the chorus and the success reward
| ing their efforts. He said that he had never
known of the Oratorio being prepared for
rendition in so short space of time, and
complimented the talent of the performers
in generous words.
The convention was fortunate in securing
Miss Maxson, of this city, as accompanist.
Her rare ability was thoroughly appreciated.
Thesolos were all par excellent in the ease,
power and expression of their renditions,
| and while this is SO, our Ravenna readers
will be particularly well pleased to be told
that Mr.. J. 3. Jewell, of this city, more than
sustained the reputation of his fine bass. He
appeared in one of the most difficult solos of
the Oratorio, "Why Do the Heather Rage?''
1t is mild statement to say that nothing
better was ever heard from Portage County
talent. Prof. Arthur extended hearty and
enthusiastic congratulations to him, and
complimented in unmeasured limit the ex-
| cellence of his voice. The character and
value of such testimonial are only commen-
surate with the ability that called out such
expression. Mr.. Jewell may well feel satis-
fed with his appearance Friday evening.
| A miscellaneous concert was given Thurs
day evening, in which some of the finest
chorus singing ever rendered in the County
was listened to.
The Association is growing in numbers,
influence, and in attendance at its sessions.
Last year there were only about fifty persons
present, which number was more than doub-
| led this year. The direct benefits accruing
to those who attended are scarcely greater
than the inspirational benefit certain to be
| felt in musical circles generally over the
| County, from the work of this valuable AS
! sociation.
The next Convention is to be held in At
J water, August, 1895.