Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-18
CHORUS BY SCHOOL PUPILS
REPETITION OF PROGRAM AT
THE NATIONAL THEATER.
Children Delight a Large Audience.
Many Pleasing Features-Beauti-
full Picture Presented.

Tho audience which filed the New Ma
tionai Theater last evening for the third an
nual entertainment by chorus Of 500 pub
lie school children, under the auspices of
the Washington Playground Association,
and with the cooperation Of the board of
education. was delighted by the presenta-
ton OF classic program Of music sung
In manner that held the attention from
start to finish and brought forth the most
enthusiastic applause. Miss Alys e. Bent
ley, director Of the chorus. and James e.
West, chairman of the festival committee,
were the recipients of hearty congratula-
lions upon the musical, social and financial
success Of the event.
There was no variation from the program
as presented Thursday afternoon, but the
cnlloren had become used to singing in a
theater, before a large audience, and they
even surpassed their work on that occa-
sion.
AS result Of the performance last night
many persons interested In the develop
ment or music in the national capital and
IN the public schools expressed the wish
tnat the chorus might be permanently or
ganized and continue Its rehearsals from
year to year, SO that on public occasions,
like an inauguration. 1t might take part.
Completely Fill the Stage.
beautiful picture was disclosed when
the curtain was lifted and the children were
discovered. They completely filed the stage.
The little girls were dressed in white and
the boys In black and each member Of
the chorus wore red, white and blue
badge. Miss Bentley occupied little plat
form, which raised her to a height where
she could be seen by all of the children,
and they responded to her every gesture.
Inc principal feature Of the program last
evening e.y, was the "Miserere," from Eerdrs
II Trovatore." The children sang this In
a chorus arrangement, bringing out all four
parts They carried it through with conf
dence and apparent understanding reaching
the enthusiasm Of the audience to the high
est pitch. The Handel, Beethoven and Ru-
binstein numbers were also sung with feel
ing and expression.
Goes By, which was sung for the first
time in public by this chorus at the Thurs
DAY afternoon dress rehearsal and which
was repeated last night. The music is by
Harvey Worthington Loomis When the
festival chorus began to work on this num-
Der there was only one manuscript copy Of
uscr1pt, through the courtesy of Mr. Loo
mis-, the song was taught to the 500 children
constituting the chorus. The music has
since then been published.
Splendid Effect.
At the close Of this number, the Marine
Band, under the leadership of Lieut.. San
telmann, played 1.-THE Star Spangled Ban
ner." The theater was darkened and a
great American flag, with lights playing
upon 1t. was let down from the flies, pre-
senting a splendid effect Meanwhile the
children and the audience arose and re-
NAMED standing.
The program complete was as follows:
The Heavens Resound," Beethoven; BLUE
Danube Waltz" Strauss; 'fWanderers'
Night Song" Rubenstein; Sands o'Dee,"
Clay; 1.-THE Kerry Dance Molloy; 1.-THE
Bell Buoy" "P:ppa's Song,' Gilchrist;
"Miserere," Verdi HE Shall Feed His
Flock Like Shepherd" and Come Ever
Smiling Liberty Handel; Dixie and
America"
Besides these numbers there were several
by the Marine Band, not named on the
program. Lieut.. Santelmann, by courtesy,
led the children in their spirited singing Of
America" to conclude the program. The
way the chorus sang Dixie aroused ire
mendous enthusiasm, and the number had
to be repeated several times.
The accompanies were Miss Sallie Mason,
Mrs Frank Byram, Mrs. G. Harris White
and Mr.. Halstead Hoover.
The audience included many prominent
society leaders, officials Of the Washington
Playground Association, members of the
board of education and school officials,
parents and friends Of the children, and
many Of Washington's music lovers. Mrs.
Bacon, wife of the assistant secretary of
state, and Mrs. Cowles, sister Of the Presi-
dent occupied boxes with parties of friends