The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-08
OUR SINGERS PLEASE.
Make a Good Impression at Kans
sas City Festival.

The Topeka Choral society commanded
more than mere recognition at the big
musical festival at Kansas City last
night. Although no demonstration was
made when the announcements were
made regarding the order IN which the
choral societies from the various cities
would appear on the programme for the
evening when Topeka drew second
place, the Topekans received an ovation
after the rendition OF their first selec-
ton. A Kansas City critic says.
'Solofsts brought from the East at
great expense sat Spellbound and en-
tranced when they heard the wealth of
melody poured out; and judges OF equal
renoWn were forced to admit that they
had never yet been called to pass upon
such work. They were fascinated by 1t,
and united, soloists and judges alike.
in their hearty congratulations"
The Kansas City Journal said:
The Topekans were headed by Prof.
G. B. Penny. This was their first entry
to a Kansas City contest: they have not
taken part in such an event for a con
siderable while. But they have been
praeticing very earnestly of late and
they entered undaunted by the past
prestige Of any others. They took hold
Of the great st. Paul chorus, oh, Great
is the Depth with vim and enthusiasm.
cheered on by their trainload of friends
who came down with them and who
yelled vigorously as the club members
swept to the center of the stage from
either side. They took a slower tempo
than did EmpOria, who preceded them,
but having more voices thew gave it
greater volume. and several fine solo
lists lent tonal color which was emphatic
and impressive. Their other number
was also Mendeissohnian-" Thy
Burden from Elijah and was rem
dered equally we'll; the similarity of the
two is the only criticism the lay mind
cares to offer. A huge bunch Of roses
rewarded Prof Penny and started the
cheers and yells over again
The TODelSa Choral society 077fu14ru-
bered the societies from every other
city that were entered in the contest.
There were nearly twice as many voices
in the Topeka chorus as there were in
either of the other competing cities.
One hundred and sixty-three persons
sang in the Topeka chorus.
The Topeka contingent took Kansas
City by storm Notwithstanding the fact
that this is the first time Topeka has
ever participated in Kansas City mus
zeal event. The Topeka singers expect
to receive one Of the prizes. The judges
of the contest are F. W. Root of Chi
cago, Alfred Robyn of st. Louis, and
DR. Eduardo Blitz of Nevada. They
viii announce their decisions tonight
under the following code Of rules that
governed them in their judging:
l. Intonation; singing in tune accur-
2. Rhythm; exact time and proper
variations such as retards and acc al
erandos.
J. Words; enumeration and accent or
stress designed to bring out the mean
ing of both the sentiment and the mus
&c
4 Interpretation; te51tual correctness.
such contrasts as add color to the senu-
ment. the relative prominence of the
parts which varies according as the
melodic idea is in one or another of the
parts Also warmth and freedom in
the delivery of the music is considered.
5. Shading; this refers to a proper
graduation of power in passing from
loud to soft. OF vice versa. and include
climax.
6. Execution; attack or the proper
commencing of phrase detachment OF
the proper ending Of a phrase; legato,
the proper sustaining of phrase; star
catos or semi-staccatos as they occur
also general finish.
z. Balance and quality; the kind Of
tone and the Complementary relation OF
the parts. The quality of tone is con-
sidered both as to natural and express
sive qualities.
Each adjudicator has his own terIas
with which to define his points, but the
three are practically in accord In their
standards of criticism. Perfect is 100.
Each point counts IA 2-7 as perfect