The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-28
TRAINED Voices TO sing
The Inaugural Chorus Numbering
Five Hundred Completed.
Director Percy S. Foster Has Ar
ranged Splendid Musical Pro-
gramme-Mnny Political Glce Clubs
Have Requested Permission to
Take Part - Selecting the Songs.

The complement of the inaugural
chorus of a haH-thousand voices which
will render the choral music for the final
promenade concert at the Pension build
ing, has been secured. The personnel of
the chorus comprises the most prominent
vocalists in the various singing societies
of the city, while the church choirs
have also contributed their quota of
trained voices.
Director Percy S. Foster. of the inau-
gural chorus, and who is conducting the
preliminary rehearsals, is enthusiastic in
his praise of the quality of his singers.
Rehearsals have been going on regularly
for several weeks at the Carroll Institute
Hall, At the rehearsal held last We'd
nesday over 400 singers were present.
Director Foster states that rehsarsals
have been so eminently satisfactory that
he would be prepared to give an excellent
account of the chorus by the middle of
February, or even before then il it were
necessary.
The chorus contains 10 sopranos 40
altos, 80 tenors, and 100 basses. A great
number of singers are on the waiting list,
prepared to take the places of any who
may drop out because of sickness, or from
any other less likely cause. Prof. Josef
/ kaspar, director of the Choral Society,
one of the best known musicians of the
! city. was present at the last rehearsal.
and spoke in complimentary terms of the
work OF the chorus.
Tie programme which will be present
ed at the concert has been selected with
I careful consideration by the subcommit
tee of the Inaugural Music Committee.
but the arrangement of the order in
which they, will be sung at the concert
has not been made
The numbers follow:
Song of the Flag -:......-R Reginald de Koven
TO Thee. Country y''............E Eiehborg
Hail Columbia (new) .........G. ". Chadwick
American National Hymn" ..........-..-. Keller
! II mold, fe Portals (oratoria, Redemp-
America -
star spanslcd Banner .................. .Keycs
Hard Times, come Again No More told
song, adapted).
Reginald de Eoycn
Frederick 4. Burton
Much of the music of these numbers has
been originally composed for the present
occasion. George W. Chadwick has COM
| posed a new air for the words Of Hail
Columbia ~ which has been very highly
considered by the members CT the Choral
Committee, which made the selection. and
| by other eminent musicians to whom ii has
| been submitted America" and Star
| Spansled Banner" are being especially
harmouizsd for the chorus by Horatlo
Parker. Mr. Parker Is head Of the musical
department at Yale College, and musi-
clan of national reputation. Frederick Z.
Burton. composer of the music to ''Hia-
w2tha," is now az work on the score Of
Holmes exquisite verse, Freedom. Our
Queen" 4 letter has been received from
Nr. Burton. from his home in Yonkors y.
Y. advising Mr.. Foster that the music
would be completed in time for the next
rehearsal. The selection OF the old cam
paign song Hard Times, Come Again No
More" the Committee On Choral Music
deemed especially appropriate to this inau-
guration. II has been adapted for the
chorus. The remaining numbers of the
programme are favorites with music low
ers.
All of the numbers have been placed in
active rehearsal. with the exception Of
America " Star Spangled Banner" and
the music to be furnished by Mr. Burton.
Most rapid progress has been made under
the able conduct of Director Foster. lie
considers that the apportionment of The
voices could not be improved upon. and
/ in this he is substantiated by the opinion
of numerous musical visitors. who have
Witnessed the rehearsaIs. All of the
members of the chorus have taken
strong interest in the work. and are zeal
| ously working for the desired results
! Prof Jasper commented especially upon
| the quality OF the mems voices in the
| chorus.
The Music Committee has been sub
| jected to a great deal OF pressure from
| abroad as well as locally to induce the
committee to render the choral concert on
/ the night of March > as well as on the
! night Of the 9Th. 1t is believed that
! greater interest in the promenade con
/ cer,S will be excited, and also that
/ greater revenue for the Inaugural Com
mittee will result. In addition TO the
/ choral concert. at the morning and after
! noon concerts, 1t Is probable that many
political glee clubs will render selections.
I \ number OF applications for assignment
I on the programmes have teen received.
The next rehearsal OF the chorus viii
be held tomorrow night. The rehearsals
. after this one viii be held on wednesday
nights of each week. The rehearsal hall
| Is al the Carroll institute.