Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-02-12
THE COUNTY MUSICAL
CONVENTION.

Among the creditable things which
Orleans County maintains from year
to year is the county musical associa-
ton, which has had annual gather
ings of from three to four days each
winter. Some years since, after the
expenses had SO largely increase as
to make it a necessity almost that the
conventions should be held at New
port, where the attendance at con-
certs, ETC., would be larger than else
where in the county, it was decided to
hold it there each year. For some years
it has been the custom to employ
first class leader, the best pianist in
New England, Mrs. Shepard, good
orchestra, several good soloists and a
reader. The expense has been large,
but has been met. The new Opera
House furnishes clean, pleasant and
admirable place for the convention
and concerts, and adds much to the
comfort and pleasure of the singers
and the audiences. Mr.. Blaisdell of
Concord, n. H., who has led the con-
vention for some years, was engaged
this year; Mrs. Shepard, with large
Chickering grand, was at her place,
seemingly more superb than ever.
She is a host in herself. Mr.. Blais-
delis orchestra arrived Thursday.
They are first class musicians and
added much to the strength of the
choruses, and were an important part
il the concerts. The music selected
was difficult, and much time was spent
in preparing it.
The whole thing was keyed up high,
and choruses, orchestra performan-
ces, solo singing and playing was fine.
The Thursday evening concert was
slimly, the Friday evening concert
largely attended The number in the
chorus was not large, comparatively.
Most of the better singers Of the coun-
ty were present. The convention was
successful, enjoyable and useful to
the better class of singers.
There are many in the county who
believe that the conventions have to
a considerable extent lost their use
fulness, land that they have become too
fine and too expensive. The large
class Of young and average singers
find the work above and beyond their
abilities. Local talent is almost un-
recognized, and foreign singers come
to take the places which ought to be
we'll filled by the singers of the coun-
ty. The expense is largely increased
to the singer and the concert visitor
and nearly all the money sent off and
out of the state.
There may be little better drill and
experience to some, and a higher
pleasure in the operate and the lofty,
but to the average singer and attend
ant there is more profit, just as much
pleasure and little more money left
in the pocket under the older and
more Vermont methods. We pre-
dict that if the present methods are
adhered to the common musicians Of
the county will organize another So
ciety, which will be run in the old
fashioned way, or that local conven-
tions will be more frequent, to the dis
advantage of the County Association,
which all are willing, ordinarily, to
help keep alive.
Randolph Normal School, having
twice passed through the trying vicis-
situdes of fire within the past six
months, is now prosperously located
ina new building, upon the old site,
which is a great improvement over
the old structure. The present term
began auspiciously Feb. Z. May its
good work continue increasingly.