The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-08-31

ing to attend the Norwegian Saenger'
forbund Of the Northwest, which opens
In this city today and lasts until Mon
day night.
Hundreds Of white. capped singers and
their wives relatives. or friends, step
ped off the train and were given
rousing greeting. The depot was con.
gested mass Of people for half an hour
after the arrival Of the train and 1t
seemed that the coaches would never
clear OF the crowds which arrived.
The Eureka singers were attending
the reception Of the members Of the
Press Association In the Chamber Of
Commerce rooms, but the Astoria aggre-
CATION sang Morse song OF welcome TO
the visitors The Nordmaendenes Sang
forening Of Seattle; the same associa-
ton, Of Tacoma. and Everett. the "Nor-
den" sangforening, OF Ballard, and the
stanwood sanforening all arrived with
the contingent, but IL was reported that
the Nordmacndenes Sangforening had
not arrived and that they would come
In on the noon train, or the steamer
Telegraph.
Most Of the singers were In dark suits,
wearing white sailor caps and they
looked very spruce and neat. They also
wore badges and the different banners
of the various organizations. furled. were
much in evidence. President 3. L. Nan.
thrup, Professor Sperati. and the other
officers living in Astoria. accompanied by
a host Of Norwegians, welcomed the yisi-
tors In the heartiest manner. Handshak-
ings galore took place and after an ex-
change of greetings had circulated the
visitors were escorted TO the various
quarters In tho hotels and private houses
which had been engaged for them.
The feat Of taking care Of such a
large number at such a late hour was
no small undertaking but the
reception committe had been pre-.
pairing for the arrival OF the visitors for
several days, and before IL o'clock most
OF them had been provided for in the
way of rooms. The visitors were In
jolly mood and they made the streets
lively for several hours after their ar
rival BY singing songs and and greeting
old acquaintance among the singers OF
Astoria.
The program today win be the as.
sembling OF the visitors at the headquar-
tiers In Foard and Stokes hall, which has
been handsomely decorated for this oc.
casion. Thev win be given an address
OF welcome by Mayor Wise and imme-
,iiately afterward there will be re.
hearsal, which viii last until luncheon,
which will bc served by the ladies Of the
entertainment committee.
At 1880 o'clock there will be an.
other rehearsal and at $3.50 p. m, the
visitors will take special train which
will be provided for them for trip to
Seaside, where they win sing a few
songs. enjoy the pleasures of the ocean
beach, have dinner and return late in
the evening. The program for Sunday
will be big afternoon and evening con-
certs in the Astoria theater.
Madame Norelli, Carl Venth, DIR. Emma,
and the other special talent and music
secured will arrived this afternoon and
tomorrow morning so that all will be in
readiness for the opening of the sing.
ing "fest." The entire gathering of mu-
sical talent is beyond anything that has
ever been presented in the city and
there is little doubt that the visiting
descendants of the famous Norsemen
will be accorded n warm welcome by
the citizens of Astoria.
The Norden singing society of Eureka
arrived in Astoria on the steamer
Telegraph yesterday afternoon and were
received by President Nanthrup and
other officials of the Saengerfest: They
sang an excellent chorus as the boat
drew up to the dock and gave good
intimation of what maN be expected
when all the societies are gathered to-
gether The Eureka choir had been
spending several days in Portland see
ing that city and rehearsing their parts
with the Portland contingent. ~
This is the first visit of this society
to Astoria, and the first representation
that Eureka has sent to the festivals
held on the coast, 1t is expected that
they will make an excellent showing in
the singing contests to be pulled off in
the Astoria theater on Sunday after
noon and evening
The expenses of the society are very
great. While they have only. 10 mem
bers of the choir they have been under
an expense of nearly $1,000 to make the
visit here. They have had to be away
for two weeks in order to make connec-
tions by boat, and although Eureka has
only q small population, they have a
very fine singing society.
The society brought with them three
soloists, one soprano, Miss Laila Berry;
+, one baritone Mr., Anton Halling; and
one tenor Mr., H. T. Thomassen. The
musical director Of the Eureka contin-
cent is ptofessor Charles Swanson xvbo