The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-23
SINGERS WELCOME PALMER.
THE MUSIC FESTIVAL ENTHUsIAs-
TICALLY INAUGURATED.

Wesley Church Lecture Room Una
BILE 10 Hold the People Last Night.
Mr.. Bates Outlines the Work of the
FestivaI-Dr. PaImer's Talk to the
ChOrus-The Festivals Programme.
Or. II. r. Palmer was given an enthu-
siasuc greeting when he appeared before
the members of the festival chorus yes
friday afternoon and last night.
The first regular rehearsal of the fes-
tival was held in the afternoon in the
lecture room of Wesley Monumental
church, and was largely attended. Last
night the room would hardly hold those
who gathered to hear. as we'll as to take
part. The grand chorus of $50 voices and
more was in front. and the rear seats
were soon filled and standing room was
occupied by those who went to hear the
singing on the opening night
The evening was opened with a talk
by Mr.. J. A. Bates, who explained the
work before the members of the chorus
and introduced DR.. Palmer. Mr.. Bates
said:
Everything comes to him who waits"
and we who have waited through the
days, weeks and months of long year
for the return of our friend, DR.. Pal
mer, may congratulate ourselves that
our faith in his coming has developed
into sight, for at last, here he is before
our eyes, and loaded with new music,
new inspiration, new jokes, and possibly
with a sprinkling of old chest
nuts. Happy is he and happy
are we that he no longer needs
any introduction to US, nor to the COM
from long journeyings to home and
friends-to hearts that are ready to re-
celve him with warm greetings of well
come.
Il can but feel that there is cause
for us, too, to exchange Fluctuations upon
this opening night Of another annual mu-
sic festival. But two years ago the work
was inaugurated by a few gentlemen
hopefully, 1t is true-but yet with some
misgivings as to the response that would
be given by the music lovers of Savan-
nah. 1t was felt to be an experiment.
We did not know then that of which
we are now assured, that the idea Of the
the festival touched a chord that vibrates
in hundreds of homes in this city, and
that we were establishing function that
would, year by year, be anticipated with
ever increasing pleasure and delight.
I'm entering upon the work before US,
it may be we'll to say that every effort
will be put forth to make it interest
ing and instructive, and to show that
there has been positive growth with us,
not only in musical appreciation, but
also in musical knowledge.
ssln I1uion tharR is and
tunate indeed are we in having here to-
night almost the entire musical talent
of our city eagerly waiting the oppor-
tunity to join their glad voices in har-
monious accord.
rs it not a great thing to have this
yearly festival, in which singers of every
degree of proficiency, from the greatest
soloist to the merest tyro. those of every
nationality and faith; in fact all who love
the divine art of song, can thus come
together on one common platform, and
not only gain purest enjoyment and i'm
provement themselves. but also, through
their united efforts, produce grand musi-
cal effects, hitherto unknown in Savan-
nah, which can be had in no other way,
and that give so much pleasure to so
many people.
Heart and soul we begin tonight to pre-
pare for our public concerts of next week
Our colors are displayed and they are
neiIner 1alnL not SoIuDTe. re TepQQldte
every blue shade of thought and
feeling and under these bright, golden
badges we press enthusiastically on to a
golden success.
And now that we may express both our
pent up enthusiasm and our welcome to
a man good as gold" and well worthy of
this golden decoration, let us give him
with mighty vim that delightful insbir-
ing festival yell which he built for us in
/ 1894 Ready now and follow you leader,
''S-a-v-a-n-n-a-h, festival. z-z-z-z-z boom
ahi
And there is another to whom we owe
and glady give a like decoration. One
who has taken up the work begun here
by DR.. Palmer, and by his skillful direc-
ton of our choral socsety-which num-
bers one-half of this great chorus-has
paved the way for greater festival and
made It possible to take up more and bet
ter music than ever before. / am sure
that Or. Palmer Will find that his raw
recruits have developed into veterans
and his work will be much easier for the
thorough weekly drill given US by our
esteemed and appreciated choral director.