The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-05-14
THE CREATION.
Bloomsbury Choral Society's Third concer
Its Greatest and Best.

WS uTeutost oWu oos.
While it has merited much praise,
and achieved high reputation by its
former concerts, the Bloomsbury
Choral Society surpassed itself on
Tuesday night when it presented Hay
dn's Oratorio of "The Creation.
Through the kindness Of the trustees
of the Methodist Church that splendid
auditorium had been secured for the
occasion, and it was we'll filled by
representative Bloomsbury audience,
while many were in attendance from
neighboring towns.
A platform arranged in tiers for
the singers was erected on the pulpit
platform, and the chorus of eighty
voices occupied these, while in front
of these was the orchestra of twenty
five pieces, and the soloists. The or
chestra consisted of Prof. c. P. Ell
wells regular organization, augment
ed by players from Williamsport,
Scranton, Wikes-B Barre and Danville.
The only rehearsals of the orches-
ira by itself or with the singers wss
on Tuesday afternoon, and when the
difficult character of the music is con-
sidered it is truly wonderful that they
were able to work together 30 marvel
ously. The Instrumentation was we'll
balanced, and the orchestra is enti-
tied to its full share of praise for its
fine performance.
With the orchestra, Miss Grace
Housed played the piano throughout
the production, and Of her splendid
work too much cannot be said. Dur
ing the weeks of preparation she has
furnished the only accompaniment the
society has had, and by her distinct
touch, her accurate reading and her
perfect time she has rendered the
difficult task of mastering so intri-
cate musical composition,a compar-
atively easy one. To her full share
of the thanks of the society and ofthe
public is justly due.
In the leading choruses the gran
deur of the music was enchanced by
the addition of the Pipe organ under
the skillful hands of Mrs. Fred
Holmes, organist Of the church. In
the Chorus "The Heavens are Tell
ing" the effect was grand, and we
may safely say that never before has
this community ever had the pleasure
of listening to such an outburst Of
majestic melody. 1t was inspiring
and here as we'll as in other parts Of
the oratorio, it was evident that the
production was under the guidance of
a master hand.
The soloists were Miss Ethel Jones,
Soprano, Mr.. Thomas Beynon,
Tenor, and Mr.. Philip Warren, Bass,
all of Scranton. their services were
secured by Mr.. Skeer, as they enjoy
the reputation of being among the
finest vocalists in that city, and no
mistake was made. They all performed
their parts admirably and to the in
tense enjoyment of the audience.
Miss Jones, who is only 1S years
old, is wonder. She has very
clear, sweet voice, taking the high
notes with perfect ease. BY her
voice and her unassuming manner she
captivated the audience at once, and
each of her numbers was enthusiastic
ally applauded. The young lady has
a brilliant future before her.
In managing the details of such an
undertaking there is vast am ount of
work to do. In this part of the work
Mr.. j. L. Richardson, librarian of the
society. was most active and efficient.
All of the business details were ar
ranged by him and Mr.. Skeer, and
few others, and the success of the un-
dertaking shows how we'll this was
done.
And now it becomes our pleasant
task to ascribe "honor to whom hon
or is due. " To Mr.. Charles o. Skeer,
who resusitated defunct organiza-
tion, instilled new life into it, and
produced such results with 1t, should