Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-25
An Open Letter TO Local Singers.

BY this time. without doubt many of
the readers of the Journal have heard of
the giant scheme which has been set on
foot by Mr.. Homer \, Chase of Auburn
and Prof. VIM +. chapman, the great
vocal and orchestral director of New
York who by the way is a Maine man. The
scheme. in other words is grand must
cal festival which the managers mean to
establish as perpetual feast in Lewis
ton to be partaken of at any rate. once a
year on much the same lines OF the fam
Gus Worcester annual festival.
When | was ut first asked to organize a
mammoth chorus in Augusta and Gardi-
ner | felt that the task was beyond me-
But now. since | have heard of big
choruses being organized III everyone of
the neishboring towns, | feel mat II
would not only be a pity. but shame:
for Gardiner. Hallowell and Augusta to
be left out OF this splendid musical
scheme. We are perfectly sure to join it
in the course of its splendid progress and
the great thing to be desired is to have
these three cities join at once. The festi-
val will be held in Lewiston. city hall. liz
October. 1891 for its first time.
1t will continue three nights. me first
night will he a great Nordic;, night. old
standard classics and every number of
, the highest order Second night opera
tic night operate music altogether
chorus effects with solo parts by great
artists.
Third night. popular music and national
hymns. First matinee, Maine composers
and performers Second matinee, Ameri-
can composers. For the first night the
makeup desired by Mr.. Chapman is q
chorus of 1Ge0 voices an orchestra of 100
pieces. There will be half fares issued
by the NJ. C. r. r. when the time comes
and | am told that every member Of the
choruses visiting the festival will be en-
tertained gratis by the Lewiston and Au-
burn people. The admission fee is but
s.. 60 There have been issued two paper
covered books containing the selections
chosen by Prof. CHAPMAN for this occa-
sion. These are to be paid for by the
members. 1 think the price is not more
than fifty cents Il pamphlet. The music
contained in these books is of the highest
order. Among other selections there is
the famous "Sanctus by Prof. Chapman
which work alone would entitle him to n
place among the noblest composers of
this country.
Mr.. Chase and Mr.. Chapman desired to
come here this week and meet the chorus
which Gardiner and Augusta are supposed
any time to lose. Mr.. Chapman was asked
by me to defer his visit until Dec. 29tn.
Now if there be any singers. good, bad or
Indifferent In Hallowell or Augusta who
desire TO Join this association. let them
without delay forward their names to me
that | may, when ] 30 over TO meet Mr..
Chairman at the next great Lewiston re-
hearsal. submit the list to him. 1T is be-
lieved that Gardiner. Augusta and Halo
well could furnish a chorus of Mt least
one hundred singers. men aud women.
earnestly exhort every singer who desires
to be identified with this great festival to
send hts or her name at once to me-
Should | receive but a meagre list be-
tween now and the 2sth of Dec. shall
. abandon all idea of organizing chorus
and-to our everlasting shame-we shall
: - - I : NATE vANNAH
Gardiner, Me, Dec. I'D, 1895.