Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-19

The opening day of the State San gerfest was a memorable one, despite the gloomy weather and every event on the excellent program was cele- brated most successfully. As soon as ali the singing societies were escort sted6 from the various depots to their quarters interest centered in the prize singing contests in Polls thea { tef which opened the official calen- V dar. At 2 o'clock the theater was \ we'll filled with the friends and sup \ porters of the various societies, who 4 were to enter the arena to display 1 their ability as chorus singers. The A Hartford Governors Foot Guard or M chestra occupied seats on platform 4 (which was built out from the stage \ proper. Tiers of seats were arranged T from the front of the stage and ex- tending clear into the flies, to ac- N commodate the hundreds who were & to take part in the mass chorus ln xthe evening. The opening overture by Ithe orchestra was sweetly and ca < pably rendered. According to the rule x governing the singing contests no x society knew just when it was going q to be called on to take part. The names of each society in each class : were placed in a hat and the first ' one drawn out was the first to sing in each class and the next one drawn was the second and so on to the end. The judges of the contest sat Tn the first balcony, but not together, |. and each judged the various points of the singing. As each society hn- ished, the points given for the differ ent phases of the singing were placed on an official bulletin, sealed in an envelope and handed to the secre- tary. The judges did not know even the name of the society that was con- peting as the names were nos an nounced from the stage. The judges chosen by the committee of arrange ments were Otto Stoeckert, Adolph L.. Rothmayer and Henry P. Schmidt. < Their verdicts were opened this af- Z ternoon at 8 o'clock and will be rem dered at the picnic this evening.
 - The first society to compete was the Turner Liederfatel of Stamford. fifteen in number. They did not sing with the necessary harmony that would entitle to them prize, at least the first prize. The Arions of South Norwalk sang much better and made a decided impression and will prob ably take first prize in this class. The Liedertafel of Rockville did not sing as we'll as the class preceding them and perhaps not SO good as the first class. ...
 In the third class Hans Saro had the first competing society, the Ger manias of Union City. They sang we'll and were given much applause, but they were followed by the probable winners of the first prize, the Lieder- \ juanz of Thomaston. The work of both those societies was done under othe direction of Hans Saro and re- fleets much credit on his ability. The Lyra of Meriden also sang well, but s lacked the shading of the Thomaston singers. The Teutonias of New Ha- ven also sang with dash and spirit, but if the Thomaston singers are beaten it will be only because of their enunciation.
 In the second class the Germanias of Bridgeport sang grandly and were lacking scarcely in anything to make the chorus perfect one. They should win the first prize. The Coneordias of Seymour lacked the shading of the class that preceded them and will not probably be considered in the first award. The Quartet club of New Britain sang we'll, but will probably have to be content with second plac'
 in the award of prizes.
 In the first class the first society that sang carried the people and the Judges also of their feet. It was the grandest chorus that has ever been heard in the local theater and no bet :. ter was ever rendered in any city
 The Sangerbund of Hartford was the society. With over ninety singers they formed a chorus that for style, smoothness. shading and volure could not be beaten. It was one of the most enthusiastically received . ehoruses of the afternoon, and this society will undoubtedly receive the much sought for first prize. The Az ions of Bridgeport were not so strong numerically nor did they sing g, well. The Herrmannssohne Mchr oi New Haven sang much better than did the class that preceded then
 but could not equal the record of thu first. Hans Saro had the last class the Mannerchor of Hartford. but he was handicapped in numbers and the singers were unevenly balanced. Ten
 ors were lacking and evennesso of tn
 tones and strength of the yolum . could not be obtained.
 The active singers of the Concor- dia society of Waterbury. which did not this year complete. are: Charles Dreher. ". Franek. V. Hahn. K. Kirschbaum. F. Niedmann. J. Schell, A. Sieo. L.. weidermann. Otto Wende- haek. E. Beerbaum. M. Book. E. Franet. A. Gruner. A. Kirschb7um g. Kirschbaum. ]. Stsdler. E. Stops Louis Tritehler. John Werzinger. A. zwiebel. T. Drehsr. q. Grossenbach, P. KIeinert. C. Lam. F. Meisinger. c, 5 Noiier. A Neschke. P OgFisek. E schIax. F. Schmitz. J. Stuhlmann. P, schmidt. ". Teichert, H Wende. hsek. l.. wsrzinEer. E- Deborde. E . Haessler. H. Hapken. J. Kirschbaum G. ]. Kirschbaum- jr. L J. kirseh- baum. ir. n. L. Kirschbauni- C, Kfrschhaum. P KluttIg- E. Miller r. Reed. O. ReEehenbach. ]. saehse, A sehonrock and B Wehrman1-
 OFFICERS AND SINGERS.
 The officers and singers of the va