Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25

members of the chorus and they have been
sufficiently drilled on expression.
Mr.. Clark states that it is his intention to
have the singing at the convention as elti-
Gent as possible, and that while he does
rot care to speak boaStfully of what will
be done in the music lne he and the mem
hcrs of his committees are going to do the
best they to make this feature salts
factory. He says that the material at his
con mand is first-class and well trained,
and he expects the chorus to co good work.
Selection of Music.
A little over week ago the music for
the convention was received in the shape
of a pamphlet of fifty-s:x pages. and these
books have been largely distributed to
members of the chorus. The selections
made are what were considered to be the
Lest and most popular numbers in Chris
tan Endeavor hymns, supplemented by
songs from other sources, and including
several hymns specially prepared for this
convention. In this latter class will he
found the hymn of Mr.. John d. Morgan,
secretary of the committee of 90. set to
music written for it by Mr.. Percy s. Eos
ter, treasurer CT the Sc committee; the
Washington 96 convention hymn by Carrie
ten Hughes of this city, and the invoca-
ton hymn specially dedicated 10 the con-
ver ton by Col. John Hay.
In the preliminary rehearsals of the sec
tons Mr.. Clark will be assisted by Mr..
Percy s. Foster and two members of the
music committee yet to be selected Mr.
Foster has been invited by the program
committee of the United Society, which is
arranging all the details for the conven-
ton services, to be one of three music lead
ers during tho meet!I rs in July. THIS is
compliment which was extended Mr. Fos-
ter last year at Boston and the year pre-
ViOus at Cleveland, where he was aSso-
ciated with others of international reput;t-
ton as musicians and directors.
RianOS, organs ana comets viii be the
instruments used for the purpose of ac-
compartment at the convention meetings
1t is expected that in each tent there will
be two grand pianos, a reed organ and sew
eral cornetists to assist the voices The
correct will be specially effective as an ac-
companying instrument. Last year Mr. FL
phonzo Youngs, jr., of this city acted as
one of the convention cornetistS, and II is
anticipated that he will perform like
service this year. Another local musician
1t is stated, will be likely to assist at the
sessions-Mr. E. s. Tracy-who is also an
excellent cornet player IN addition it Is
rot improbable that the Park sisters
quintet of talented performers on brass in
struments. viii help in the musical pro-
grams, as they did last year.
For Field Duty.
Every member of the mammoth chorus is
| registered at headquarters. A record is
kept of the name and address of each per-
son enlisted, the society to which he or
she belongs and the part he or she sings
This record is expected to play an import
ant part during the convention in assisting
the music committee to properly apportion
enc section of the chorus among the
churches and meeting places other than the
tents. 1t is proposed that three sections
shall do duty in the three tents, while the
fourth will do field duty, that is it will be
divided up among the FIVE churches and
Central Hall. which viii be used in addi-
ton to the tents
There viii be a system of rotation, in eff
feet, by which it is expected that the sec
ton which does field duty one day will
spend the succeeding three days in the
tents. In dividing up the sections as they
are assigned for field duty, three or four
hundred sing - VIII be delegated to Gen.
trail Hall, whore a large platform is to be
built for the choir and speakers. after the
plan adopted for the January convention of
the local ur:cn. The remainder of the sec
ton will be apportoned among the large
churches where meetings are being held.
Mr. Clark proposes that before the con-
vention is opened a detailed program of
each section Of the chorus shall be In the
possession of all Its members, BY this
means a member Of the chorus will know
in advance just where his place is for
every convention session. He will know at
what services he is to sing in the tents and
the day the section to which he belongs IS
divided up among the other places of meet
ing; he will know whether he is to sing IN
Central Hall or in some designated church.
and at what particular session.
Preparing Special Music.
Besides the hymns which will be sung
the chorus this year, for the first time in
the history OF Christian Erdcavor conven-
tons, will be expected to render an anthem
or other special selection at every session.
This will require considerable additional
practice on the part of the members. but it
is believed that the novel feature will prove
an especially attractive and agreeable one,
and well worth the additional time ard la
Dor spent in prepare ton. SoloiStS. both
cal and instrumental. will contribute to the
musical program, and singing evangelsts
who have accepted Invitations to be pres
ent at the convention will be heard a sew
eral of the services
SAT- rday afternoon, July H. the four sec
tons of the chorus will be massed together
when the grand open-air meeting is held at
the base Of the Washington monument.
This will he the only occasion during the
convention that the chorus as a united
whole will sing together 1t is expect ed
that the effect will be magnificent The in
tention is to engage also the services of a
fine military band.
This occt sion is looked forward to with a
great deal of expectancy on the part of
those engaged in planning for the musical
features of the convention, and it is be-
lleVed that citizens generally, but more cs-
pecially lovers of chorus effects, will seize
the opportunity to hear the harmony and
volume produced by four thousand trained
voices. Such an opportunity has never be-
fore been presented in Washington. and on
ly on very rare occasions elsewhere in the
country. At. the time CT the capital CEN
tennial celebration, in 1893, fifteen hundred
persons comprised the chorus, which has
stood as the high-water mark of united vo-
cal effort In this city. Christian Endeavor
ers are striving, with every prospect of
successful accomplishment, for a chorus
nearly three times the size.
Source of Her Confidence.