The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-17
DRILLING A CHORUS
At the Seventh. Rehearsal of the
May Festival Song Army.
The Proficiency Rapidly Attained-Per-
fecting the Chorus in ''LOhengrin"
and the Flying Dutchman."

The small army of men and women who
are to sing the May Festival choruses was
called TO order promptly at S o'clock last
night Next 10 a well-trained voice Pro-
fessor Arens admires promptness most.
This pardcnable little weakness on the part
of the musical director is appreciated by
his singers; hence. when he steps to the
platform, raps sharply with his baton and
rests his keen gaze on the faces before
him, there is an abrupt cessation of small
talk. The chorus recognizes the Professors
hobby, and the latest story is left unfin-
ished. The seventh rehearsal of the May
Festival chorus was that given at High
School No l last night with the full
strength of two hundred and sixty voices
present The chorus represents people from
the various ranks of polite society-pretty
girls, matronly women. business and pro-
fessional men, both young and middle-aged.
The chorus is divided into eight distinct
parasitic alto, soprano. bass and tenor
each being arranged into two sets.
Professor Arens seldom gains sufficient
control over his nervous, energetic little
body TO occupy the slightly elevated plat
form in the midst of the choristers, but he
is here and there and everywhere. The in
PRODUCTION OF a quarter note where instead
there should be an eighth has the effect OF
setting the Professors nerves all "a-going."
and he is down that section which con-
tains the culprit. Then he detects a slight
flaw i'm the chromatic scale reIegated to-
the first bass for the time, and he is over
there on the instant. The gentlemen OF the
first bass do not have to watch the vio-
lent upper stroke Of the conductors baton
to learn that error has been detected
in the apparently perfect volume of sound.
His face denotes his displeasure. Then
they try II again. The chorus began its
work last night with the spinning song
from the Flying Drtchman-" Miss Die
ner, the pianist, strikes the Introductory
chords to the masterpiece Professor Arens
surveys the chorus critically, perchance on
the alert for an offender. He detests chew-
ing gum, and If by an unlucky fate some
musical mouth contains this morsel. there
is storm. The young ladies Of the chorus
have become familiar with the, Professor s
antpathy to gum, and this habit is aban-
doned while practice is on. Professor Arens
conducts his chorus through the intricacies
of the Flying Dutchnan" in sections. The
soprano takes IL up and follows the Pro-
feSSor for a few bars. Then the alto is
tested and the bass and tenor given a turn
at the difficult task. Perhaps an hour Is
spent with the various parts, and the Pro-
fessor decides that the story can be In
trusted TO the voices OF the entire chorus.
He calls out the page and lifts his baton
with a majestic sweep. Harmony in one
huge volume fills the hall as the two hum
dred and sixty voices swell forth from
skilled and trained Threats The conductor
is delighted with the effort. but suddenly
his face expresses just bit of disgust.
and he stops them. One section of the
chorus has failed TO reach the high note.
and in the eye of the conductor this Is
almost crime. His comments are stern,
sometimes severe, but always polite. Pro-
fesSor Arens does not grow facetious; he
maintains dignity peculiar to himself at all
times. He starts them again and the
words:
southern lands much gold he wins" ring
out in another grand wave of song. This
time the singers are allowed 10 proceed to
the end, and the climax has the approval
of the conductor. He is enthusiastic, but
never ELUSIVE. Good" is his simple COM
ment as the last notes die out in soft ca
dence, and he nervously fingers the pages
OF Wagner's "Lohengrin, which is TO be
taken up at once Those musicians who are
seeking an easy berth should by all means
Now" says the conductor, as he takes
up his baton preparatory to a trial Of the
"LOhengrin," anybody can sing a note. but
anybody can't put the expression into it,"
Then he devotes moment to description
OF the various scenes in the piece. be wants
the chorus TO put itself into touch with the
characters for without this there will be
lacking the essential expression in the
notes Somewhat dramatically the Profess
Sor goes on to explain just how he thinks
the characters should be received as they
come into the piece, and then he puts the
full strength Of the chorus on 20 the OPEN
Ing OARS. Inc SlHSeIS are perhaps inter-
rupted three four times before the close
of the piece, but the last notes are sung
with vim that is immensely gratifying TO
the Professor. At the conclusion OF 'Lo-
hengrn'' he desires drink of water. While
| the Professor is being served his singers
| enjo- a moments recess. This is the only
| opportunity Of the evening for a brief res
| pite from labor but the chorus is quickly
raped to order and the destines OF falr
Ellen and the Flying Dutchman' are
| again being told in song. So the work
| goes on and on for two hours and a half
| until a union and harmony of voices so
| a triumph of music