Evening star., 1896-10-03
A WIN N NC OCTE T
Washington Singers Garry Off the Prize in a
Competition at Pen Mar.
One of the Features at the Great
Methodist Antumnal Sketches of
the Successful VOcaIists.

At this seasons Methodist autumnaI"
held at Pen Mar on Friday of last week.
the feature of the afternoon services was
a vocal contest between rltxed octets from
the Methodist choir OF York Pa. and this
city. An octet from Baltimore was also
entered, but, through the inability of some
members 10 appear, they lid not compete.
However, they recruited from other than
Methodist choirs. and sans, the same selec-
tions as did the York and Washington sing
ers, and were marked by the judges just
the same as II competing. This octet did
exceedingly well, Notwithstanding, the fact
of but one rehearsal, and deserve the
warmest praise. The Washington singers
however. surpassed them, and achieved a
decided victory. the York octet being COM
pletely outclassed. Prizes In the shape Of
a gold medal for each singer and a baton
for the leader will be presented to the vic
tors in Baltimore in November. when a
concert will be given by the successful
octet.
Arranging for the Contest.
Several weeks prior to this event the Rev.
w W. Davis of Baltimore, who had per-
sonal charge of the business affairs of the
great Methodist gathering, called upon the
various ministers in this city with a view
of determining who of the musical direct
ors was best fitted TO undertake the task
of forming an octet to represent Washing
ton Methodism, and, after a careful can
vass of the field, the selection fell upon Mr..
VIM j. Palmer. the precentor of Waugh
Church, on Capitol Hill, and who also has
charge of the musical affairs of the Ep-
worth League of the District. Mr.. Palmer
was waited upon. and after earnest solici-
tation. was persuaded to undertake the
difficult task of selecting the voices best
c'aSS AZ
quaintance with the choir singers of the
Methodist churches was of great assist
ance TO him in selecting the voices. AS he
found IL necessary, in order to cover the
desirable features requisite to success, to
have singers from five different churches
Hamline, Wesley, Douglas. Waugh and
Trinity The octet being organized. there
was left but a brief time in which to pre-
pare for the event, and. with but five re-
hcarsdls, under the careful direction of the
leader and conscientious, careful study and
hard work of its members. remarkable
proficiency soon attained, and the
singers left Washington reasonably sure
of a high position. il not the highest.
The music for the occasion was Pinsuti's
fitted for the purpose, Astounding in ex-
preston, points difficult of attack. and
shading from delicate pianissimo to the
strongest fortissmo. Each octet was to
sing this production. which was selected by
the committee of judges, and another of
their own selection. The Washington con-
tngent selected as their number GLORY to
the Lamb" by Froelch, a piece of great
beauty and much variety, and one equally
difficult OF mastery the official selection.
The singers labored under the disadvantage
of singing in the open air, where the deli
cate shadingS of expression and blending
of voices were diminished by the autumn
breeze.
Washington Won.
The contest was decided in favor Of the
Washington choir for their mastery os the
selection and good training In chorus.
The vocal representatives Of the three
cities were as follows:
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Miss Gertrude
Dana Miss Ida O'Neal: altos Miss Emma
Houchen, Mrs. d. Olin Leech; tenors, C. H.
Henney, w. J. Palmer: bassos, Walter
Humphries, Arthur f. Middleton; accom-
panist. Miss Clara Belt; director, VIM. j.
Palmer.
York. Pa.-Sopranos, Miss Lillian Owen,
Miss Mamie Minsker; altos, Miss Louisa
Henry, Miss Bessie King; tenors, Seth H.
Jones. Rev. Henry d. Flanagan; bassos
Phillip HI. Schneider, George Pinkerton; ac-
companist. Miss Henrietta Bastress; d.
rector, Seth H Jones.
Baltimore-Sopranos, Miss Emily H
Starklof. Miss Nellie r. Bennett; altos,
Miss Daisy Sherman. Miss Kate Sherman:
tenors, David E. Francis, A. Goodman
Leach: bassos, VIM. A. Groppel, r. Wilson
Nichols: accompanist, Perry c. Orem; di-
rector. Charles F. Bender.
The judges were: Prof. d. Harry Sanders
of Baltimore. Percy s. Foster of Washing
ton and t. H. Thomas of Cumberland, Nd.
SalutinE the Singers.
After the contest the singers volunteered