The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-06
CHORUS OF 400 VOICES
FIRST REHEARSAL FOR SPRING
MUSIC FESTIVAL HELD.
Conductor Stock Says He Never
Worked with More Promising
Material Than He Finds Here.

The task OF molding 400 voices into a
chorus for the spring music festival, to be
held in Tomlinson Hall on March 81 and
April 1, was begun last night by Fred A.
Stock, assistant director under Theodore
Thomas of the Chicago Orchestra. Those
who have undertaken the choral renais-
sance in Indianapolis, while filled with a
spirit of optimism, nevertheless awaited the
first rehearsal a bit nervously. Chorus
work of any magnitude in this city has lain
dormant for several years. and the element
of enthusiasm TO be reckoned was practi-
cally unknown. No sooner, however, had
Mr.. Stock lifted his baton for the first
movement and the murmur of desultory
conversation had stilled han the success
of the undertaking became fully apparent
and nervousness was replaced with abso-
Lutte confidence.
That which more than anything else, per-
haps, was particularly gratifying was the
healthy enthusiasm manifested by the 400
young men and women who presented
themselves to Director Stock last night in
the assembly hall of the Shortridge High
School. They came not to gossip on hats,
fashions, the attractions at the theaters or
from the mere promptings of curiosity, but
to sing, and to sing their level best. With
a patience hardly less commendable than
that of the director himself they went over
and over difficult measures, following tire
lessly careful directions, until roughness
had been eliminated and a harmonious
smootEness approaching the end in view
had been gained. Another factor of tran
Scendant Importance In last nights pre-
liminary success was the personality of
Director Stock. Thoroughly self-contained
and sure of his art, with a pleasant voice
firmed by a dominant note of strength, an
ear which arrested a false note with light
ming speed and a blue, expressive eye, he
seized first of all the liking OF his pupils
and then held their admiration and SYM
pathy by his earnest effort and buoyant en-
thusiasm.
Edward Grieg's "Olaf Trygvassen' was
the ~oratorio rehearsed for the first time last
night by the spring festival chorus. The
rehearsals will be continued for seven more
In the assembly room Of the High School,
Mr.. Stock coming from Chicago weekly TO
direct the work. He was genuinely de-
lighted with the beginning made last night,
and said that in all his experience he had
found it necessary seldom to insist on so
few repetitions, so few corrections OF diff
fcult measures.
1T is wonderful" he exclaimed; truly
wonderful! L had thought of nothing like
it or anticipated difficulties so trivial. 1t is
the freshness OF the voices which charms
me; and the singers are so enthusiastic, so
anxious to please. / can assure you that If
they will continue to improve as they be-
gan tonight you Will have the pleasure OF
listening TO a magnificent chorus on the
nights OF the festival. All the voices are
satisfactory, but the sopranos are particu-
larly good. We are not weak In tenors, but
a few more would help the general tone"
Mr.. Stock declared that the tone quality OF
the chorus was remarkable, in its purity
and strength, for an aggregation of singers
who had never before been brought to-
gether.