Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-08
GRAND MUSICAL EVENT.
Augusta and Gardiner choruses Siau Before
the Maine Festival Leader.

With his head only two feet from the
ceiling of the vestry of the Universalist
| church. Mr.. w. r. Chapman of New
York. had for the lrst time the direction
OF the Augusta and Gardiner choruses OF
the Maine Musical Festival Mr. Chap
man, as everyone Knows by this time is
the conduCtor-in-chit Of the festival and
his coming to this city has been the
greatest event in musical matters that
has taken place in this city for years
There were about 10 singers present
from The two cities. II was the first time
they had sung together. and neither of
the two choruses bad had very much
practice.
Under the direction Of Judge Pbiibrook
al WaterVille. the Augusta chorus. 10 the
number of about 80. has pat In some able
work, and Mr. chapman had many nice
WORDS 10 say for thar gentleman as a
leader, and the work ne had done for tha
Augusta singers
When Mir. Chapman took his elevated
position behind the piano. where Miss
as aecompaniSt, there was silence of
expectation. mixed with some evident
iemerity- III" renowned leader from New
York. who has under mis- direction the
Apollo and Rubeustcin Clubs OF New,
York. stirred those singers to their very
Spuis.t and. before he had completed HIS
nights work; he had their senses awake
To an entirely new View OF music Mr.
chapman would Scold and ca ioie by turns
and with the magnetism Of q Svengah
| begging that this he taken with all APP
been, and not what he was. he got some
excellent tone color out of them. Come.
come on. come on. come on was his cry
as he drew his singers on through the
swelling passages of the Hdllpiuia Che
rus First YOU must learn your notes.
then get your tone color, next your mo-
ton. and, last of all. act 1t. You must
act what YOU are singing. and put every
bill of your life right into it, That was
his advice, and If enthusiasm is conta-
gious the singers must have gotten "a
world of help from the evenings work
AIR. Chapman told them of the chauce
there was ia Maine for developing good
singing. for il wasn't the lack of ma
teriai SO much rs lack of interest. This
the October festival viii do for Maine
voices. 1t will educate them to the APP
probation of oratorip singing. and Mr.
Chapman is devoting his time to conduct
the festival. He will he in Maine from
next May until the October festival. visit
irg the several choruses in the State. Ii
is chance for singers that is being wide
ly appreciated,
Homer y. Chase of Auburn. who is as
Stunning the business management of the
festival was present and explained thu
system on which the festival would Ut.
conducted; the method of placing anu
selling tickets. etc. There viii he three
evening concerts and two matinees. The
hall where the CONCERT will be given will
seat from 1900 to 1900 in addition 10 III.
singers who will constitute the grarf,
chorus. The seats for the five concerts
will he s. apiece. They will he sold ~
duttoli. us II the system followed n. the
Worcester. Mass. and most other events
of this kind
Al Lewiston. about Sept !, Madame
Nordica will sing two night Mr.. Chan
man has also received letters from many
other noted singers. WHO will alone make
the festival far and away the most noted
event Of the kind tia, Maine has ever
seen, The conductor paid Mr.. Chase the
commitment of having been the back
bone Of the festival: as the man who
has Staid by when all hut him had wa
vered Augusta will have 80 tickets.
which will be In charge of President
Twitchel for sale.
The rehearsal was q glorious success.
IN conclusion. Mr.. Chapman said the
singers Were "magiiticently fine" ami
that he was confident hat they would BE-
magniiicently finer after a few weeks
more practice unders the leadership OF
Jndse Philbrook before his return to
Maine, Everyone ENJOYED and applaude,j
Mr. chapman and thanked him for his
selection on the piano, and, after shak-
ing MN by the hand hade him goodbye
on his departure to- New York on thu
Pullman.