Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-26
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES
Convention Hall IL to Have q Large
Organ.
Mr.. John Porter Lawrence's Musicale
Children in the "Pirates.'

That Convention Hall Is to have an organ Is
now an established fact The committee of
musicians that has been working in har-
mony with the hall managers have consfd-
cred the bids submitted and, 1t Is under
stood, have recommended that the contract
be given to Messrs Hook and Hastings of
Boston. This recommendation, II Is said,
meets the approval of the hall management,
and the contract was probably signed today.
In making Its decision the committee did
not take the lowest bid, but took into con-
sideration the reputation Of the builders
and their ability to furnish the kind of
organ needed. 1t Is rot a cheap organ that
is wanted SO much as one that shall fulfill
the objects required. An organ is Leeded
which shall be sufficiently powerful to fill
Convention Hail. and which shall be SO
voiced that it will be the support and assist
ance to either a solo singer or a chorus
Great care must be taken in the construc-
ton OF an organ of this character and 1t is
believed that the builders selected are album
dainty competent to cope with the plans
that were marked out by the committee II
Is understood that this organ will be COM
piefed and placed in Convention Hall by the
lst OF next October, so that IL will be ready
Tor the opening of the concert season next
fall. Such an organ will be of the greatest
advantage to the Choral Society, which has
held Its entertainments in Convention Hall,
and to other similar organizations 1t can
also be used for organ recitals and these
can be given at a price which will enable
the masses to hear the best class of organ
music from the best performers In this city.
With this organ and the other improve
ments thai are being made in Convention
Hall. which have already been published in
The star, 1t Is believed that next winter this
nail VIII be one of the most popular for
concert purposes in the city
Among the many singers who have gone
out from Washington none has made great
er progress in her sphere of work than Miss
Harriet Whiting. She has a contraito voice
OF exceptional sweetness and power, and
the last time she was here with a ladies'
quartet from Boston the excellence OF her
singing was made manifest. Miss Whiting
sister. MIS-. F. E. Smith. During her
stay in Washington Miss Whiting has sung
before large congregations at the vesper
services OF the Church Of Our Father. Her
to hear her tomorrow evening in that
church.
The recital to be given by the pupils Of
Mr.. John Porter Lawrence, at the Uni
versalist Church this evening, promises to
be an extremely interesting event. Mr..
Lawrence has become widely known as an
organist and pie 10 soloist of decided ability,
but this is the first time that the fruits Of
his instruction will be made manifest
Among the novelties will be a concerto by
Hitler, also concerto by Saint-Saens
Mrs. Jenny c. Hight will sing songs by
Leo Telibes and Henshaw Dana, and al
together the program cannot fail to prove
attractive.
The work of the children in the Pirates
OF Penzance' was full test Of their capa-
biites In the largest place Of amusemen MT
| in this city. Every one Of the soloists, ex-
cept the little girl who sang Mabel, could
! be distinctly heards in every part of Al
baugh's Opera House, while the choruses
| were sung with a precision and spirit that
( showed how thOrOnQhly thew had
! bearsed by their musical director, Prof.
Harry Wheaton Howard. Professional
musicians who had not witnessed the per-
| formances of these young people when they
! were given at the Academy OF Music ex-
/ PRESSED the greatest surprise and admira-
ton at the excellence of the concerted work
and many were the compliments Prof.
/ Howard received. The acting of the little
! ones, too, was easy and graceful, and re-
/ Elected credit upon the work of the STAGE
| manager. Mr. Davis.
! There is not 50 much opportunity for indi.
| 1idual display In this opera as In Pima.
| fcre. which was the first juvenile opera
/ brought out under the auspices of the ladies
I of the Homeopathic Hospital and SO 1t is
difficult to compare the work of the two
| sets of children; but each company has
| made a distinct and pronounced hit and
! has won deserved praise.
What VIII be the next venture next fall
remains to be seen but it is hoped that
! so much talent as has been DEVELOPED will
not be allowed to remain idle The lad,
| managers VINO have had charge of these
/ performances have had an onerous ia SIX
! but they have had the satisfaction of SEEING
| that their labors were rewarded by the ex.
| cellent work of the children and a generous
| patronage by the public.
! The excursion of the Choral Society Il
! Marshall Hall last Tuesday evening wa.
| participated in by a large party of the
| members and their friends. The threaten
| ing weather deferred many from going bu
| those who attended had a very enjoyable
evening. The rain disarranged the progra N
somewhat. but the dancing pavilion afford
| ed both shelter and amusement for thf
| majority of the party. The affair was no
| financial loss, Notwithstanding the nm
| favorable conditions. The society will Civ,
| another excursion on August % when IL 1,
| hoped that the weather will be more pro
| pitious