The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-11-14
PEOPLES CHORAL UNION.
FIRST REHEARSAL LAST NIGHT
4 SPLENDID SUCCESS.
The Seasons Work Commenced With II
Display of Mueh EnIhasiasm--Choras
Remarkably Well Balanced ard
Guilty ExeeIleni-Neyv OEatOFiO "The
PrOdigal Son" Sung-TenOrs and
Bnsses Needed
Bnsses Needed.

The first rehearsal for this season of
the Peoples Choral union, held in Old
Union armory last night, was SPLEEN
did success. Even those who are the
most enthusiastic promoters and work.
ers for the new organization were sur
prised and gratified at the excellent re-
suits attained in point Of attendance
and intense interest manifested by
those present. The singing of the chO-
rus was far better than could have been
most ardently hoped for, both in the
immensely of quality of the tone and
/ the ease and precision with which the
crescendos were rendered. The chorus
shows the results of last seasons most
careful training, and even though the
Z number present last night was not as
! large as last year, yet the quality of
/ tone was better and the volume equally
as great 1t is thought that this de-
sired result can be attributed to the
test of voices to which all persons pre-
senting themselves this year have been
subjected. This test, so-called, is in
reality not a test, yet it gives those in
charge an opportunity of ascertaning
plicant. and affords the opportunity of
admitting only those who have voices
and are qualified to become members of
the chorus. The tests are merely the
singing of the scale to ascertain the
range and tonal quality of the voice,
and the singing at sight of very SIM
pie piece. Certainly none who has a
voice. or who believes that he or she
can sing, should hesitate to apply by
reason of being fearful of their ability
to pass the examinations.
There is a need for more tenors and
BASES, and it is hoped that number
will present themselves. Last night
there were about $50 present, but it is
hoped that enough persons will make
application for membership SO that
there may be a roll of at least four
hundred.
At the meeting last night, besides the
singing of several simple and lighter
pieces, several choruses from the new
oratorio, THE Prodigal Son." were rem
dered, and it was surprising to see how
readily these choruses were taken UP
and sung at sight DR.. Kellogg, who
>
spoke of having heard the oratorio rem
dered last summer at Chautauqua,
where there was an audience of about
six thousand people. The music was
rendered by a trained chorus and the
audience fairly went wild over the cho-
ruses, the music being especially beau
tiful and catchy. The one chorus, Let
| Us Eat Drink and be Merry, for To-
morrow We Die" is an exceptionally
| fine piece of work, and at Chautauqua
| it was necessary to repeat it several
times. 1t is certainly a happy selec-
tion and the oratorio will undoubtedly
be well received. At this presentation
Mr.. Vincent, the composer, who is a
nephew of Bishop Vincent, was present
and directed the chorus himself. Carl
| Duff, a we'll known tenor, was one of
the soloists. This oratorio is to be the
main work of the season, but several
! lighter works which are highly recon-
mended and have been we'll received
in other places will be studied and pro-
duced.
| One of the features of the union this
year is the sight-reading classes to be
|
| beginners and at $50 for the advanced
classes. Mr.. Brown will be in charge
of these, and this is assurance in itself
that all members will soon become pro-
ficient in the art of sight singing.
Copies of the oratorio were given out
last night and it is expected that every
member of the chorus will give at least
portion Of his or her time to the stu
dying of the several numbers. This
will materially assist in the work of
training the chorus and furnish oppor-
tunity for taking up other works which
will be enjoyable.
The next rehearsal will be held next
Thursday night and 1t is hoped that
any and all who have voices and desire
to assist in this splendid work present
themselves at that time. The fees are
nominal, being only five cents a rehear-