The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-26
DOCTOR OF music
John A. Simpson of Raj :
eigh HOnOred.
Conferred During lhe Closing Exer.
cises of the Conservatory of Music.
High Honor For Miss Blanche
Barnes.
Especial to News and Observer)

Especial to News and Observer)
Durham, N c., May 25.-Today was
the beginning of the annual COM
mencement at the Southern Conserva-
tory of Music. The commencement
exercises took place this morning at
II o'clock Tonight piano recital
was given by Miss Blanche Barnes, CT
Clayton, upon whom has just been
conferred the degree of bachelor of
music Tomorrow night the COM
mencement or final concert will be
given, this ending the commencement
occasion of this institution for this
year.
There was quite a large crowd pres
ent this morning and tonight the au-
ditorium was packed. Tomorrow
evening admission will be on tickets
issued the main portion of the audi
torium being reserved for the patrons
of the school, while others will be
assigned seats in the rear of the au-
ditorium and in the galleries.
This morning there were seven
young ladies to receive certificates, di-
plomas and degrees. These were:
Teachers certificates, Miss Ava Beach
board, of Bellbuckle, Tennessee, and
Miss Minnie Daley of Burlington;
vocal certificates, Miss Blanche Barnes,
of Clayton and Miss Annie Whitmore,
Durham; teachers diploma, Miss
Josephine Young, of Salisbury; bache-
Tor of music, Miss Blanche -,arnes. of
Clayton; masters degree, Miss Alice
Hundley, of Durham.
The first honorary degree since the
establishment of the Southern Con-
servatory of Music was conferred this
| morning, when Mr.. John A. Simpson,
of Raleigh, was honored with that of
Doctor of Music. The degrees We're
conferred by Hon. James II. South
gate, president of the board of trustees.
Mr.. Simpson is the only man in the
State, so it is said, who has this de-
gree and he spoke feelingly, saying
| that he appreciated the great honor
and that he asked no higher.
In presenting the diplomas and GER
tificates and in confering the degrees
| Mr.. Southgate made Il short talk
| saying that seven years ago Prof. Gill
more Ward Bryant, principal of the
conservatory, came here and found
| two or three gentlemen who had kin
dred spirits to that in him. He wanted
to establish a conservatory of music.
! There is not a conservatory of music
| in this broad land he said from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, with a higher
or more excellent course of study, in
which ideals are higher and in which
the spirit is better.
Prizes aud Medals
Prior TO the address of Mr. South
gate the prizes and medals had been
distributed by Prof. Gilmore Ward
Bryant. These were:
Prizes-For the greatest improve
ment of the year in vocal department,
Miss Elizabeth Hedgepeth STANDARD
Light Operas and Their Music" IN
piano department, Miss Myrtle John
son and Miss Mary Loomis Smith,
anecdotes of Great Musicians"
Medals-Piano medal Miss Cornelia
Barbee;W r. Murray medal vocal de-
partment, Miss Inez Wooten, of Will
son; s. NJ. Snider medal, Miss Inez
Wooten. The star medal, given by the
institution 10 the one making the most
excellent standing in the vocal de-
partment, was awarded Miss Tempe
Battle.
The musical program rendered in
connection with the above exercises
was an excellent one, of very high
order
Graduate Recital at Night.
Tonight a piano recital was given
by Miss Blanche Barnes, of Clayton,
who this morning received the degree
of Bachelor of Music. She was assist
ed by Mrs Gilmore Ward Bryant,
soprano, and Miss Tempe Battle, con-
tralto. The ohuse was filled to the
doors and the music was all of very
high order.
The final or commencement concert
will be given tomorrow evening.