Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-18
WIN THE HANDEL BUST
Washington Singers Take
First Prize at Fest.
BEST IN SECOND GLASS
KAISER TROPHY AWARDED TO
PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY.
Arrangements Being Made to Welcome
Local Vocalists With Big
Demonstration Tonight.
BEST IN SECOND GLASS
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
BALTIMORE. Md. June 1S.-The United
Singers Of Washington last night were
awarded the bronze bust of Handel as the
| winners of the first prize in the city con-
test of the second class. at the close of the
| greatest saengerfest in the history of the
| Northwestern Saengerbund. The awarding
| of the trophy was just recognition of the
| splendid work Of the Washington singers.
The presentation of the prize was made
| last night in the presence of a brilliant
gathering of thousands who assembled to
| witness the closing ceremonies of the fes-
| tival of song.
The kaiser prize went to the Junger
Maennerchor Of Philadelphia, and the bust
of Mendelssohn was awarded to the United
Singers Of Newark. N ].
The city contest of the second class in
cluded singing societies whose membership
was less than 200 The Washington So
cieties numbered 100 singers. The second
prize in this contest went to the United
Singers of Long Island City. the third to
the United Singers of Camden. N J., and
the fourth to the United Singers of Hudson
County. N. Y. The Washington singers re-
| ceived a marking of fifty-five points out of
possible 60. and the winners Of the second
prize received forty-eight points.
There were five judges in the contest
three from Chicago, one from Davenport,
Iowa, and one from Baltimore. These
judges listened to the singers from a box,
and did not see the competing organiza-
tons during the performance. The five
judges made their markings respectively
on enunciation, information, precision, in
depreciation and shading. The points were
marked individually and the reports were
sealed and handed to the directors of the
fest and Onenp0 nv them about z
o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Elaborate preparations are being made
here today by the members of the Arion,
Germannia Maennerchor and Saengerbund
Societies for a big demonstration to cele-
brate the homecoming of the members of
the United German Singing Societies Of
Washington, who carried off the first prize
in the city contests of the second-class at
the Saengerfest in Baltimore, the announce
ment of which victory was made last night.
The first prize Is beautiful bronze bust
of Handel. 1t is double life-size and is
valued at 81 500.
When the news was received at the Saen-
gerbund club house last evening 1t was
heralded with great delight by the mem
bers there assembled, and it was tmme-
diately suggested that the victorious sing
ers be given a fitting welcome on their re-
turn to the national capital. Accordingly
committee was appointed to take charge
of the matter.
A subcommittee went to Baltimore today
and is making arrangements to have the
entire chorus Of 100 men who participated
in the contest return to Washington on the
train that reaches the Baltimore and Ohio
depot at 1850 this evening. The plan agreed
upon by the committee provides for gath
ertng of the members of the three societies,
together with the members OF all other
German organizations In the city, at the
Saengerbund headquarters at Z O'Clock this
evening. Headed by the Marine Band of
sixty-five pieces, with Lieut.. Santelmann as
leader, the local delegation will proceed to
the station to greet the arrival of the sing
ers.
Upon the arrival Of the train line of
march will be formed and the company will
then proceed to Pennsylvania avenue,
thence up to 18th street and on to the
White House, where it is expected that
President Roosevelt will be induced to re-
view the parade, and perhaps make short
address to the victorious vocalists.
From the White House the triumphai
march will be resumed, the procession go
ing back to 18th street to F and down F
to 10th street, then on to G, to the Ma.
tional Rifles Armory Hall, where a pro-
gram will be rendered consisting or music
and addresses. Among the speakers who
are expected to participate in the exer-
cises are Commissioners II. b. +. Macfar-
land and Henry L. West Major Richard
Sylvester. Simon Wolf and others.
At the colse of the festivities In the hall
the singers will be escorted to the Wash
ington Saengerbund Hall. where banquet
will be rendered them
It Is proposed that along the line OF
march there shall be fireworks and other
features usual at an enthusiastic demon
stration and celebration of victory.
Among the members of the Saengerbund
gathered at the club house last evening
500 was raised in a few minutes to be
applied to the celebration Of the victory.
and today other sums have been contr1but-
ed for the purpose.
At noon today a meeting was held at the
club house, when details of the reception
were arranged. The hall at the Saenger-
bund headquarters is being handsomely
decorated and no expense is being spared
to make the occasion one of great jollii-
cation.
Mr. Henry Xander who trained the United
German Singing Societies of washington
for this contest stated to a reporter for
The Star this morning that he Is del1ghted
with the fest, and particularly with the
work and success of the Washington sing
ers He said he was somewhat surprised
that the local singers should win the first
prize although he had hoped for such re-
suit because the other competing organfza-
lions were from centers of German commu-
mites, and were enabled to select their
singers from greater numbers.
Mr. Xander has trained the three societies
since Christmas for the mass chorus, par
ticipated in by 1000 voices, and he began
training the singers for the prize song
about six weeks ago. The song which won
the first prize for the Washington societies
men for this number Mr.. Xander devoted
considerable time and attention. as many
of the singers were trained individually.
It has been suggested that the large
bronze busl of Handel will be placed in one
of the CITY parks, the Mount Vernon Place
Gated. being suggested as the most appro-
prjate Mace This matter. however. will be