St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-05-02
THE CHORAL UNION FESTIVAL.

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Johnsbury Choral Union occupied the
greater part of last week and from a
musical standpoint was the most success
ful of the many that have been given by
this local organization. There were 115
in the chorus and the local singers were
aided by many well-known singers from
other towns in the state. There was an
unusual number OF outside singers and
they added to the strength and finish of
the chorus in way that the audiences
greatly appreciated. Among the out of
town singers were the following: DR.. c.
B. Drake Of West Lebanon, E. 7. Wallace,
Mrs. M. E. G. DAILY, Mrs. F. H. Babbitt
OF White River Junction, Mrs. Dunbar of
Lebanon, Mr.. and Mrs. A. R. Brooks,
Mrs. F. P. Marston, Mrs. W. H. Abbott
of Wilder, ]. F. Cam of Hartford, Miss
Cass of New York, Mrs. Carpenter of
Lyndon, Miss Kimball of Haverhil, Mrs.
Buchanan of Barton, Mrs. Silsby, Mrs.
Green Mrs. McGregor, Mrs. E. K Parker
of Litteton, Mrs K. D. Stone of South
birmingham, Mrs. Hooker and Mrs.
Josiah B. Gage OF Bradford, Mr.. Brooks
of Dartmouth College, Mr.. Perry of
Barre. Rev. Mr.. Bryant of Littleton.
The first matinee on Thursday gave
especial prominence to our local singers.
After choice selection from the orchestra,
F. E. Winslow of Lyndonvile gave a
cornet solo which was novel and pleas
ing part of the matinee. Miss Somerville
sang one of Barnby's ballads, which
was her first public appearance since her
return from Boston. Her voice shows
much Improvement in strength and pur-
ity of tone and her selection was heartily
received by her many friends. Mr.. Nc
Crae from Coaticook is stranger to
local musical circles and by his bass solo
added much to the enjoyment of the
afternoons programme. Miss Warden,
who has been studying in the New Eng
land Conservatory OF Music in Boston,
gave piano solo with much grace and
finish. Miss Shufelt followed with a
soprano solo, which showed her rich full
voice to great advantage, and she kind
ly responded to an encore. Miss Boynton
gave violin solo, showing much skill
and culture with that most difficult of
instruments. The Marcian Quartette
gave three selections, one being an encore.
These four voices harmonic in remark
able manner in all that they undertake
and St. Johnsbury audiences are always
glad to hear them. Mr.. Mays "Bedouin
Song" with orchestral accompaniment,
was a marked feature of the afternoon,
and although the last on the programme
the audience were not satisfied until he
responded to an encore.
The concert Thursday was a miscela-
neous one, given by the entire talent of
the convention. The three selections by
the chorus showed it to be of exceptional
strength and well balanced. The
soprano soloist, Miss Cutter Of Worces-
ter, is a new singer to a St. Johnsbury
audience and made favorable
impression at every appearance. Her
first selection was an aria from LA
Traviata" and exhibited her highly cul-
tivated voice to the best advantage.
Miss Gorham, who accompanied the
chorus throughout the entire week, gave
Chaminade's "Concert-Stuck." She was
accompanied by the full orchestra and
B. Frank Harris on a second piano. She
shows great improvement as a result Of
her winters study and her piano solo
showed excellent knowledge of technique
and was brilliantly executed. Mr.. Shir-
ley, the tenor soloist, sang romanza of
Ponchiellas and responded to an. encore
by giving the choicest selection of the
evening. He has sweet clear voice,
under perfect control, and is sure of a
: cordial welcome whenever he,returns to
St. Johnsbury.
Miss Huzzey, the contralto soloist, is
y not a stranger to us, but her voice has
: grown in both power and.sweetness. A
y lady of pleasing manners on the stage
e she delighted all in her solol work al
l. every performance. Mr. Merrill's song
y was from "The Queen of Sheba," anC
IS enabled him to exhibit his largelrange o
=. voice, his low notes being particular,
. musical. His speciality seems to b
j. oratorio work and on Friday evening h
IS did most excellent work in the solo
n why do the nations rage" Th
: stringed orchestra gave two selection
n, and as an encore an especially choiC
piece, which was we'll received.
Friday AFTERNOON was the artists col
v cert. Here Mr. Shirley and Miss Husse
s were very pleasing and the chorus re
r; dered Schubert's serenade in beautif
:: manner Kipling's recessional, set I
d. music by Rev. Loren Webster, of Holde
ed ness, N. H., was also given by the Choir,
be and the strength and power of the
2. trained voices seemed to increase wi
nv each verse. B. Frank Harris gave by
eli quest, with the orchestra, "The awake
ed ing of the lion." This was brilliantly
th ecuted and was fitting close to Fl
on concert.
th The climax Of the week was the rem