Evening star., 1895-06-05
REHEARS:NG THE CHILDREN.
MIR. "a, slins Says He Never Had
More Intelligent Class.

sNoTS ShAsSs
| "Once again, children. this time from
one end &c :hG other, and sing it like you
mean :. Nov, all together" and Like AS
Father Pitieth His Children harmo-
| nious'y end soctly issued from the throats
of 304 puSlic school pupils gathered yester-
! day IL the exhibition hall of the Central
| High School.
| rehearsal for the concert to be given
| Friday evening next by the pupils of the
graded schoo's was in progress. under the
corductorsllip CT Mr.. w. L. Tomlns of
Clica' - who came to Washington about
| tw" ,seks ago at the request of Superin-
| te.sient of Schools w. b. Powell to dis
cover if there is anything musical latent
and capable of development in the educa-
! tion of the Washington children. His COM
| ing has proven of great value in many
| ways, and at the concert referred to the
| pubic will be given an opportunity to
| judge of the proficiency attained by the
| children.
Songs That Were Rehenrsed.
A magnetic personality is possessed by
| Mr.. Tomlirs,' and his class of girls and
| boys this morning worked with him heart
and soul, the result being most pleasing
| as well as surprising to the The re-
| mark of member of the faculty of the
| school that 'it is really wonderful how
| beautifully these babies sing seemed to
| be the general opinion of all the spectators
| in attendance at the rehearsal After ten
int to Rt the 1penng
by Mr.. Tomlins, and it was dealt with as
carefully as the preceding number Then
followed folio, Flowers, overs & Flowers. Dripping Tahi
waltz of the Blackberry Gatherers," ITO
the Sunshine Come. Merry Soldiers All'
and Voices of the Woods" The interest
displayed by the youngsters was refresh
ing. Every utterance of the leader was
listened to with eager attention, and the
| responses to all his directions were in
stantaneous and hearty. Before the class
refearsed each song it was sung to them
by Mr.. Tomlins. A portion of the time he
sat at the piano and acted accom-
panist for the children and for himself,
| and the balance of the morning he stood
ct the front of the platform and directed
was fastened on him and remained there
until the conclusion of the selection.
Intelligence of the Children.
At the conclusion of the rehearsal Mr..
| Tomlins spoke enthusiastically to Star
| reporter about the work of the pupils of
| the Washington public schools. There is
an all-roundism about them, he said.
| They respond instantly to everything l
| call for, displaying equally as great in
| telligeEce as would a class of adults.
| They are responsive to an extraordinary
degree it being only necessary to stand
on this platform and look into their faces
dren not picked for any special mu-
| sical ability, but the average pupils
of the graded schools. l have been han
| Cling children for twenty years. and never
| in my experience have l directed a class
| that displayed greater intelligence, better
training or We're more responsive than
| those of Washington. Much of this is due
| to the excellent system conducted In all
| branches of the Washington schools. am
more than delighted with my classes
Character of the Concerts.
Miss Wescott. principal of the Western
| High School. who is connected with the
management of the concerts tomorrow and
| Friday evenings of this week, states that
! they will equal in finish and artistic effect
many of the musical events of the season,
and will surpass any like concerts of
former years attempted by pupils of the
public schools. The proceeds of the con-
cert are to be devoted solely to the pur-
chase of a musical library for the schools
and is not to be turned into the teachers
annuity and aid fund, as has been stated.
The following is the program for tomor-
row evening:
/. God in Nature" Beethoven
Mendelssohn
.. Spring Song" melody in F. .Rubinsten
3. Zigeunerweisen .................. .Sarasau
Miss Powell.
4. March of the Men of Harlech'. Welsh
b The Lark rk'.........................H House
5. Breeze of the Night. t"........... .Lamothe
Apollo Quartet
9. Like as a Father ''............. .Cherubini
7. a Russian Song ''.....................La .Lalo
b 'Minuet-Waltz'. Chopin
. Miss Powell.
s. Meeting of the Waters"
b Boat Song"
C ''Suwanee River"
6. "old Kentucky Home" arranged by
Apollo Quartet.
Miss Powell and chorus.