Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-17
STATE SAENCERFEST
Greatest in tks Histsry of Cen
 necticut to B Held Here.

nSSsse1e " v 4SUA0 &SeSes
 The most pleasing news that couIt bring joy to the heart of every GermaI
 resident of this city, and delight al
 well to every German citizen of th,
 state and every lover of music, o ], whatever nationality, was announced ] yesterday by the committee of arrange
 ments which has in its hands the pre- parattons for the great biennial sfen
 gerfest, which takes place in the cftj
 of Waterbury on June IS and 10 next This news was to the effect that ths
 prize singing contests would be heit
 In the new music hall in the Whitte
 more building on the corner Of Bank
 and Grand streets. The selection of |
 suitable place in which to hold this prize singing has been the one serious question that has been agitating the
 minds of the members of that com.
 mfttee ever since its conception. Of
 course there are many halls in the city, but to find one with the acoustic quail ficatiOns necessary for such musical feast was what bothered the commit. tee of arrangements. Enthusiasts will remember how years ago the late Ia. mented Prof Bartlett was forced to
 have City hall wired in order that the
 proper effect in the sound of the sing
 ing might be reached, in one of his big musical cantatas. Knowing that the new music hall in the Whittemore
 building was to be equipped with all
 the modern ideas in acoustic qualities,
 this committee has been working night
 and day to get final decision on the
 matter as to whether the hall would
 be in readiness by June IS, when the
 prize singing takes place. That de-
 cision came yesterday and the one
 serious and perplexing question has at
 last reach a final settlement. The new
 hall when completed will seat in the
 neighborhood Of 1,5O0 people and will
 be fitted up in the most elaborate fash
 ion. It will be the first entertainment
 of any kind given in the new palace
 of music and the baptism 1t will re-
 ceive on this occasion could not be
 more appropriate nor fitting.
 And this committee has not been idle
 in other respects, either, as regards the preparation of the program for the two days of entertainment. And it could
 not be otherwise when you look over the roster of that committee, which is as follows: President, Alfred Dresch- CT; first vice-president, Charles Dreher; second vice-president, John Werzinger; third vice president, Emil Beerbaum; corresponding secretary, Christian Laum; recording secretary, George C ro afra,, In ah. fraa c,,rnr lJnurv Da0vr
 It will be the thirteenth saengerfest held in the state of Connecticut, or rather 1t will be the thirteenth held in twenty-six years, for they are given only every two years. 1t will be the biggest affair of the kind ever under taken by any city, and that Is saying whole lot when you stop to consider that there have been some great saer- gerfests in other places. It will be grander, more elaborate and one of the marvels of musical entertainment. Fifteen of the leading singing societies of the state have already entered the arena to contest for the prizes. This list of entries surpasses even the most vivid expectations of the committee itself It is possible that there may be others before the date of the closing of the entrance. but even with the num- Der now entered on the official list of the, committee 1t surpasses any other saengerfest ever given in the state. The societies already at work practic- ing for the contests are as follows: First. class, Hartford Saengerbund. Hartford Maenherchor, Bridgeport Arion, New Haven Hermann Sons Maennerchor; second class, New Brit ain Quartet club, Bridgeport Gernania, Seymour Concordia: third class, Th0m- aston Llderkranz, Neriden Lyra, Union City Germania Maennerchor, New Ha- ven Teut0nic Maennerchor: fourth class, Rockville HedertafeI, South Nor walk Arion, Torrington Germania Maennerchor, Stamford Turner Lieder- tafel. The Harugari Liedertafel of New Haven, while it has not entered any of the classes, will be the guests of the Waterbury societies and will take part In exhibition singing.
 On the first day. June IS. the visit ing societies will be received at the various depots by the reception com mittees and, headed by the American band, will be escorted to Concordia hall, where they will be entertained. At ? o'clock the great prize singing contest will take place in the new music hall as described above. The judges for this contest will be men of reputation in musical circles In the United States The main chorus will consist of 600 voices, assisted by thirty-five pieces of string music. This Is another feature of the entertainment which calls for enconiums. The or chestra selected to perform this dim cult task will be the Governors Foot Guards of Hartford. Some of the most noted sololsts in this country will be here on this occasion to assist in the grand program of music. The dedica- lion of the new music hall will be arl- other feature that will attract attention from all over the state. Governor Rob- .rts has assured the committee that he Will be present with his stan. He and lis official family will occupy one of he boxes of honor. while opposite in IS conspicuous a position will be Mayor William F. Thons and his ofli- | Hal family. The opening address of l welcome will he delivered by Mayor | rhoms, who will throw the city of l open 10 the distinguished | Tisifors. Governor Roberts will then i lssume the reins of government for a | hort time and will make an appropri- | Ite address. At the conclusion of the In the hall. grand hall | VIII be given in the evening at the old Jacques Auditorium. now the Eagles Vest
 The second day of amusement will