Evening star., 1895-06-07
A SONG FESTIVAL.
Successful Concert by the Pupils Of
the High Schools.


A large audience filled the Academy of
Music last night on the occasion of the fes-
tival of song by the High School pupils,
under the direction of Mr.. Tomlins. Not
only was the audience large, but it was also
of the most enthusiastic order, and ap-
plauded In manner to please every one on
the immense stand. The nging of the
chorus which consisted of five hundred
voices, was somewhat of a surprise to those
who heard 1t. OF course, every one knew
that singing was taught in the public
schools, but there was hardly one present
who believed that 1t had reached such q
high state of efficiency. The chorus sang
with precision and force last night, and
demonstrated the excellent system of voice
culture which Is now in vogue in the pub
lie schools of Washington.
The scene presented to the eye was a
most pleasing one. AS far back as one
could see, and stretching from one side of
the stage to the other, was an immense sea
of pretty faces, surrounded by effects in
coloring that were simply beautiful. There
was a freshness and beauty about the
gathering that does not belong to every as
semblage, and their voices were also fresh
and sweet.
THE Heavens Are Telling and 20 for
the Wings OF a Dove" by Mendelssohn,
was the first number, and 1t was beauti-
fully rendered. Rubensteins melody IN F,
given as a spring song, was a most pleas
ing number the delicate shading being
given with remarkable smoothness. Like
a Father" was excellently sung, and in
this selection the training of the chorus
was the most clearly demonstrated. 1t re-
ceved an emphatic and deserved encore
''Suwanee River" pleased, as it always
does, and was obliged to be repeated. There
was but limited number of boys, for
there was no attempt at anything more
than two-part singing. Most of the work,
however, was in unison.
The chorus was assisted by Miss Maude
Powell, the Apollo Quartet and Mrs. Ernest
Lent and Mr.. Arthur Mayo, accompanies.
Mrs Lent played the piano and Mr.. Mayo
the organ, both giving satisfaction by their
Intelligent and conscientious work. Miss
Powell needs no Introduction to a Wash
ington audience. She rendered Sarasate's
'.Zigeunerweisen," Lalo's Russian Song"
Chopin's "Minuet Waltze" and his noe
turne in E, playing them all with her we'll
known sympathetic touch and wonderful
expression. The purity and depth of tone,
and the musicianly and artistic intelligence
of her renditions are too well krown TO need
anything but word of mention. Every
appearance was noted by the most enthu-
siastic applause The Apollo Quartet, con-
sisting Of Mess-s. Mcfarland. Turpin, Rec
side and Ryan, received double encore on
their first appearance, and all their num-
bers were given with their accustomed
skill and finish.
Tonight the grade schools will sing, the
soloists being the same, and the program
is as follows: (a) Morning, lb) Evening""
Flower Girls Song" Dixie" Apollo
Mareh:a % Romance ct Gavotte;" Thomas,
Harlech," Gj @All Among the Barley" (a)
Vocal Waltz, o. Good Night" Good
Night Waltz" Vogel, Apollo Quartet; (al
THE Lark" Ql Comm Thro' The Rye
(a) Largo Vieuxtemps; (6 "Cobblers
Dance" sarasate. Miss Powell; welcome,
Sweet Spring time"