The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-18
THE DAY TO REHEARSALS
CHILDREN IN THE AFTERNOON AND
ADULT CHORUS IN EVENING.
Wonders the Little ones Are Accom-
Observation-Disclosures of the Festival
SaIe-Miss Russelrs Singing.

SaIe-1Iiss RusseIrs Singing.
--z21- IL
Things have begun to take on a pre-fes-
tival air at Tomlinson Hall, The carpenters
had not finished making the platform in
tiers yesterday afternoon when the thou
sand children, who are to sing in the cam
tata, arrived for their rehearsal soon after
o'clock. 1t took some engineering on the
part of the ones in charge to get them ar
ranged, but the children used to COM
mands to get into order and they sat for
about three minutes comparatively quiet
Some one started falsetto and the others
took it up, and within less time than it
takes to tell there was an impromptu cho-
rus being given, shrll calls, whstlings and
high notes being predominant. They were
allowed to have their bit of effervescence,
and then with four little taps of the baton
there was absolute silence. The children
were obliged to sing without any notes, and
they know their parts so wen that this is
no effort for them. The accompanist
played the opening chords, the mouths
were opened and the volume of sound came
forth The well-modulated voices in union
make particularly sweet effect and as
the several parts were taken up and they
sang against each other, the harmonies of
the composition were heard. Any one who
thinks the children's canatata is child's
play is greatly mistaken. 1t has difficult
ties as great to surmount as the cho-
ruses for the adults The modulations
and changes require considerable vocal Skill
There were Interruptions by the conductor
and phrases that were not all that he de-
sires them to be were repeated until quite
perfect.
Mr.. Ffrangcon- Davies who was one of
the listeners, nodded his head with salts
faction as the cantata was sung. Il CON
slider this one of the most important parts
or the festival said he In this chorus
OF children you see the members of the
chorus OF the future Their work here is
something they will never forget" The
pronunciation of sister" flower" moth
er and other words with the 'r'' ending
gave him particular delight, as he is not
accustomed to the distinct and broad sound
or the last letter. In England and in the
Atlantic coast states the letter is not any
thing like r. but is more like broad
"a The pronunciation of each word and
the dlStlnct enunctation was an excellent
example OF the training given in the public
schools, and by those who nave had the
chlidren chorus in training. The cantata
VIII not only be a very important part of
the festival, but one of the novel and in
tereStlng parts. 1t is the first time chill
drens chorus has been given at May fes-
tlVal and Saturday afternoon will be the
gala day for the children, not only of the
chorus, but of the audience. Many who
nave season tickets have arranged to have
children hear the cantata When they are
grouped on the stage in their pretty light
dresses. white collars and best suits they
will form a sight worth seeing, as well as
a sound worth hearing. 1t had been hoped
by Mrs. Wilkinson, the superintendent of
music in the public schools who has had
the the training raj Of the boys in their parts be-
hand, to have the children repeat the can
tata after the festival for the children of
the public schools, who will be unable to
attend the matinee Saturday, but Mr. Van
der Stucken does not approve of having it
given SO often, and so the one concert will
be all that they will sing in.
THE EVENING REHEARSAL
The first work of the evening rehearsal
at Tomlinson Hall last night was the
Swan and the Skylark'' and not a sylla-
bic. not a pronunciation, not an enuncia-
ton. not a mark of expression was left un-
satisfactory to the director These finish
ing touches which make the perfect whole
are about as discouraging to the singers as
any part of the entire preparation of
festival chorus, but itislthese little points
that tell. Whether the chorus sang Eek
ultingly' or pronounced it ''exoltingly'' was
a matter of concern for half a dozen trials.
Mr.. Ffrangcon-Davies sang in this cantata
when IT was brought out last year in Gin
cinnati and he considers 1t one of the most
beautiful things ever written. The only
thing he does not like about it is that the
tenor has most of the singing to do. But"
said he, Evan Williams will sing that part
well, for ii suits him right down TO the
ground" AS Mr. Williams has it to sing
the first night of he festival, the public
will not have to Wait long to see if Mr..
Ffrangcon-Davies's estimate is the correct
one. In speaking of concert work the same
artist said that lit takes the very quinteS-
sence Of good singing 9or the concert stage,
but almost any kind of singing will do in
an opera. I've seen IA high note taken with
a hand up in the air and no sound on the
lips, but you can't do that on the concert
stage, youve got to sing, and sing we'll"
Mr.. Van der Stucken sang the solos last
night and he sings all parts equally well,
for he gives only a hint of what the soloist
customed to the place in the composition
where it will lend its voice. The good,
round tone of which the chorus is capable
comes out in all it's fullness in the cam
tata when it sings 70, thou art mighty, O,
thou art wonderful" The chorus Is more
like an oratorio in this part and it is sung
better than anything else. The chorus from
Swan and the Skylark, and it is in
marked contrast with it. The swelling of
the voices as the pars take up the first
line is inspiring. 1t is more or less familiar
and was sung exceedingly we'll The re-
hearsal with the orchestra tonight Will be
a wonderful advantage, as the orchestra
ton which is rich in melody and variety
for all of the choFuses will give new effects
and will be a cause of using the very best
efforts of the singers. With the several re-
hearsals with the orchestra which the
chorus will have it will do work for the
festival that will be a credit to the event
and to each and every individual compos-