Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-04
IN M USICAL CIRCLES
Prospect Of Summer Amusements Next
Year in Convention Hall.
Big Bands ana Orchestras to Play
Another Handsome Medal for John
SOusa-OtheF Notes Of Interest.

While 1t is not likely that Washington
VIII be favored with a roof garden for
summer amusements there is a prospect
that next year Convention Hall will be
utilized for the same class of entertainment
that has been furnished in the roof gar
dens of New York. The size of the hall Is
such that 1t can accommodate a large num-
Der OF people, and arrangements are to be
made so that it will be thoroughly venti-
lated and kept absolutely cool. 1t Is I'M
derstood to be the intention Of the manage
ment to decorate 1t with palms and flowers
to place tables and chairs about and to
bring to- the hall the finest bands and or
chestras Of the country. Already. 1t is
said, arrangements have been made to
bring Sousas celebrated hand. the Seidl
and Damrosch orchestras. and negotiations
are being made with other musical or
ganizations. The band concerts will be of
popular character. with perhaps one or two
classical selections thrown In during an
evening, and the audiences will be allowed
to enjoy the music and TO sustain them
selves with beer and light refreshments.
An effort in this direction was made some
years ago. when Abners Garden was open
ed, and for a while it seemed to promise
success. but there was something wrong
with the business management as well as
with the character of the attractions pre-
scented and the scheme did not succeed. In
regard to Convention Hall. it is stated
that the management will conduct it Upon
strictly business principles, bringing only
the best character of musical attractions
and presenting everything in first-class
shape.
John Innes, the celebrated bandmaster
who has now control of the greater portion
U la a -
Gilmore. has written an allegorIcal canta Ia
founded on the incidents of the civil war
and the return of peace. He has divided 1t
INTO three parts, and 1t is SO arranged that
IL can be given with excellent spectacular
effects. 1t requires in its presentation of
course, an excellent quartet and large
chorus, the larger the more effective
While there is some excellent descriptive
music in 1t. there are many well-known
songs that were popular during the war;
ana which would please the general public
Ills intention Is tnat il should be utilized
by Grand Army men and veterans of the
late war, and for that matter confederates
can participate in II also, and thus make
the presentation more realistic. project
Is on foot TO give the cantata here at no
distant day, and it hoped that the effort
Will materialiZe.
1t Is Understood that party Of Washing
ton singers will shortly give a concert at
Bay Ridge, and from the character of
those who Will participate the program will
undoubtedly be an excellent one Signor
Montegriffo, the weil-known tenor, is the
prime mover in the affair. and ii is under
stood that his assistants Will be Signor and
Madame Mama and Miss Mary Helen
Howe, with probably Prof. Harry Wheaton
Howard.
The beard of directors of the Choral So
ciety Will at their meeting on Monday night
determine definitely upon the program to be
given at their next excursion, and prob
ably transact other business in regard TO
the concerts which will be given during the
next season. There has been so far re-
II arkable harmony in the board, each MEM
ber seeming TO be only actuated by an
earnest desire TO promote the best interests
of the organization. The success of last
season has inspired them with a hope that
next year the books Will show a financial
balance in favor OF the society.
Mr.. John Philip Sousa must have a fine
collection of medals, for only this week he
was the recipient of a beautiful gold medal
from the board of directors of the California
midwinter interna uonai exposition held at
San Francisco. 1t was voted Mr.. Sousa In
recognition of the success of his band at
the fair. The medal, which is suspended
from handsome crCssbar, surmounted by
California bear is a Maltese cross of
white enamel, with the coat-of-arms of Cali
fornia in raised gold in the center. The
cross rests on crossed trumpets and horns
of plenty in colored enamels and is inscribed
California Midwinter International Expo
sition. 1S!4.' a complimentary letter from
Director General NJ II. De Young accom-
with medals four times in the last ten
months. The directors of the St Louis ex-
position gave him a diamond-studded souve-
mir, the Italian colony of ST. Louis presented
an artistic gold medal and the musicians
OF LeadVille. Col, sent a gold and silver
trophy from nearby mines.
Every one in Washington will be glad to
learn of Mr.. Sousa's success and that of
his band. The Cosmopolitan for this month
devotes considerable space to q sketch of
the development of this band, with portraits
or Sousa and his principal soIoists
Mr.. Henry Xander is spending the sum
mer at Brighton Beach, l.. l., attending
the Seidl concerts. Mrs. II. ii. Mills and
her daughter, Miss Lolita Mills. are also at
Brighton Beach.
Master Lee Cox, who has gained a de-
cided reputation for his sweet soprano
voice, not only in church work. but also in
the juvenile performances of "Pinafore"
as entirely recovered from the indisposi-
ton which has affected him for some time
and will return to his place in St Johns
choir with his voice stronger and purer
than ever.