Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-08-13
A Charming Recital.


The most notable musical event that
has ever been enjoyed in Shepherds
town or in this section was the sacred
organ and song recital last Thursday
night in the new Lutheran Church by
the company of Washington artists
who came here at the instance OF Mr..
James G Traylor, who is choirmaster
of the Church of the Epiphany in
that city. He was requested BY friend
in Sbepherdstown to arrange tor re-
cital here, and he responded by bring
ing most distinguished party of mu-
steal folk. They were Mrs. Helen Don.
ohue DsYo, soprano soloist OF st.
Paul's Lutheran Church ; Mra. F. B.
Gilmore, contralto soloist OF the Church
of the Epiphany Mr. R. P. Backing
tenor soloist Of st. Psul's P. E Church;
Mr.. Otto Luebkert, bass soloist of All
Souls Unitarian Church; and Mr. Full
ton B. Karr, orgauist of St. Andrews
P. E. Church.
A very large and appreciative au-
dience greeted the musicians. Mr.:
Traylor had arranged the programme
not only with reference to the beauty
of the selections, but particularly with
the view of making an appropriate and
harmonious whole. The first part OF
the performance was an organ recital
by Mr.. Karr. He rendered four num-
bers in mastery style, including a
march, a nocturne, a selection from
1.-THE Creation" by Haydn, and
Morning MOOD" by Grieg. After
prayer by Rev. G. q. Hockey, the
singers, clad in their vestments, took
their place in the choir box, and for
the next hour the sacred walls resound-
ed with such sweet music as it has sell
dom been our privilege to hear. The
first number was quartette perfectly
sung, and this was followed by Mrs.
DeYo with solo, ~ will extol Thee, ="
from the Oratorio "EIi.' Her full,
Aute.like voice charmed the audience
from the first note, and her rendition
was beautiful and faultless. Mrs.
Gilmore solo was "Abide With Me, !"
by Liddle, and her rich contralto was
ravishing to the ear as she rendered
with perfect expression the impressive
hymn. Mr.. Backing sang as his solo,
"My hope is in the Everlasting, "
from the Daughter of Jarius," by
Stainer, and it was a magnificent rem.
dition, his clear, sweet tenor simply fill.
ing the church with melody. Mr. .Lueb-
kert sang "By the Waters of Baby.
lon" 1t was an impressive selection,
rendered with absolutely perfect ar.
tistic taste and expression, and the
people appreciated every note Of the
rich, smooth voice of the singer. Mr..
Luebkert's shading and Interpretation
were strikingly effective and beautiful.
Mrs. Gilmore and Mr.. Luebkert sang
with great sweetness Nevin's duet, 20
Loving Voice of Jesus" and Mrs. De.
70 and Mr.. Backing charmed the au-
dience with Stainer's great song, "Love
Divine" Perhaps the number that
most impressed the people was the ia
miliar hymn, LEAD, Kindly Light, ="
sung as quartette, in memory of Mrs.
II. L. Snyder, whose deep interest in
the church she was not permitted to
see finished was go well known. The
perfect way in which it was rendered
made it seem almost a celestial song,
and it touched all hearts. Those who
heard this beautiful hymn Thursday
night will never forget the surprising
sweetness with which it was sung by
our Washington friends. The pro-
gramme concluded with a quartette,
"Sing Alleluia Forth" brilliantly
sung, and a fanfare on the organ by
Mr.. Karr. To say that the audience
was pleased does not express the ex-
allied appreciation of the lovely enter
tainment afforded them, and the event
will long be remembered for the per-
feet enjoyment it gave our music low
ers.
After the recital, a reception was
given at the home of Mr.. H. L. Sny.
der, who entertained the singers while
they were here, when many of the PEG.
pie of the town and neighborhood
called to express their appreciation
and extend social greetings. The sing
ers were as charming and agreeable in
their personality as they were talented
unsteady, and those who met them
were delighted to add such genial, clev-
er folk to their list of friends and &C
quaintances. They clearly captured
Shepherdstown, and they will be cor
daily welcomed if they shall return to
our pleased and appreciative COM
munity.