The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-06-04
BLOOMSBURY PA. THURSDAY. JUNE A. 1903.
THE CHORAL SOCIETY
Two Public Entertainments a
Year will be given in the
Future.
First One a Grand Success.

he nrSt concert or the BlOOmS-
burg Choral Society was given in
the Normal Auditorium on Thurs
day evening, May 2Sth. The gal
lery seats were filled and nearly
every seat down stairs except those
under the gallery. Owing to an
unavoidable delay it was S.45 when
DR.. Mason took his place on the
conductor S stand. The program
opened with a chorus, 20 Hail us,
ye free" by Verdi. 1t was sung
with spirit, and it was at once evil
dent that DR.. Mason had the chorus
under complete control. Mrs John
L. Richardson followed with a
humorous reading entitled Guess
inc Nationalities," by Mark Twain.
1t was given in her usual excellent
style and was much enjoyed by the
audience. Miss Mary Albert sang
"Orpheus with his lutte" by Sulli-
van, in a charming manner. She
has voice which, though not of
great strength, is remarkably sweet
and clear, and her singing in public
is always one of the attractive
features of any program. The
aria, 20 God have Mercy" by
Mendelssohn, was sung by Mr..
Chas. O. Skeer in fine form. He
has rich baritone voice, and his
tones are clear and resonant. His
enunication was perfect and every
word was distinctly understood in
every part of the house. His selec-
ton was a difficult one to sing, and
of rather scmbre character but he
acquitted himself with great credit,
and added much to the pleasure Of
the audience.
The closing number of part first
was "The Arrow and the Song"
by Longfellow, with music by
Walter Hay. 1t was easily the gem
of the evening among the choruses,
both in beauty of composition, and
the expression with which it was
sung. DR.. Mason stated during the
rehearsals that it was the most diff
cult piece on the program to sing
effectively, and great care was OBJ
served in its preparation. The
audience could have had it repeated
by asking for it with a little more
vigorous applause, and this may be
said of every number of the first
part. There were no encores be-
cause the audience evidently were
given the impression in some way
that owing to the lateness in be-
ginning no encores would be re-
| sponded to. This explanation has
been given by number of people
sitting in different parts of the
hall.
| During the few moments inter
mission, DIR. Welsh, president OF
the society, thanked the audience
for their liberal patronage, and ex-
planned the objects and benefits of
the organization.
The second part consisted of the
cantata," st. Cecilia's Day" 1t is
all good music, and was we'll sung
throughout. Miss Albert, Miss
Cope, and Mr.. Colley were the solo
lists and performed their parts in q
very pleasing manner. Recitatives
are very hard to sing, and are moi
usually very highly appreciated by
an audience, but these singers made
the most of their assignments.
The most musical parts of the
cantata were the chorus of men
"Rise and break the chains tha,
bind u.s.; the choral, "Incense
odors lowering DER u.s." solo and
chorus, "Come forward with pleas
. ure," by Miss Cope and Society;
and the finale "Holy Music" Miss
Cope's solo in Come forward" was
bright part and her voice seemed
to be made for it. Endowed with
vocal powers of high class, Miss
Cope has cultivated her voice by
practice here and study abroad until
she has reached stage of culture in
music that is great aid to the So
ciety and delight to all her friend:
who have the privilege of listening
to her. During the evening she
was presented with beautiful bou'
quet.
The contata was sung from be-
ginning to end with spirit and ex,
preston, and its very satisfactory
rendition was owing largely to the
thorough drilling by DR.. Mason
and to the interest and enthusiasm
with which he inspired the singers
He is certainly a great conductor
and the society will undoubtedly
endeavor to secure his services il
the future.
The receipts of the concert were