The Washington herald., 1909-06-28
BUND NOT SATISFIED
German Singers DiSappOint-
ed with Fest Decision.
CRITICS LAUDED THEIR WORK
Washington Society Returns from
New York Tournament with Fourth
Prize-PIans Being Arranged for
Choral Matinee on White House
Lawn-Turnverein TO Raise Fund.

Although the Washington Saengerbund
has returned from the national saenger-
fest. which has just come TO a conclusion
in New York. with a prize. its members
are not satisfied with the decision given
by the judges Of the fest. They do not
think they have been accorded fair treat
ment, and they are OF the opinion that the
final decision which was in the hands OF
one judge, was probably little biased
Sixty singers Of the Washington Saen-
gerbund. all OF them selected by Prof
Henry Xander. the musical director OF
the society. were entered in competition
for cities OF the second class. having for
their opponents singing societies from
Buffalo. y. Y; Wilmington. Del: SYRIA
cuse, n. Y; Reading, Pa; West HobOken.
y. J., and Newark. y. J. The following
composers and musicians acted as judges.
DR.. Cornelius Ruebner. Arthur Mees.
Prof. Nj. Meyer-Ol -Olbersleben, Germany;
Max Splcker. Gustav WOhlgemuth. DIT
Frank r. Xix. Albert s CasWell. and Dr.
Felix Jaeger.
Each one OF these judges was assigned
to a certain feature OF the songs pre-
sented, there being five points 70 lee
passed upon. as. for instance: intonatiOn.
precision. phrasing. expression. or pro-
nunciation and conception on the part
OF the musical leader. The judges were
concealed behind a white muslin screen
in order 70 withhold from them the iden-
tity OF the competing societies
The competitive singing OF cities OF the
second class IN which the Washington
Saengerbund was entered took place last
Monday afternoon. The Tuesday morn
ing papers OF New York. particularly the
big German dailies who had assigned
musical critics TO the fest. unanimously
accorded the first prize 20 the Washing
ton Saengerbund. paying the local singers
a high tribute for their artistic rendition
OF the prize song Of their class.
Universal disappointment.
There was universal disappointment on
Wednesday evening. when the Judges OF
the contest announced that the Washing
ton Saengerbund had been accorded the
fourth prize Of the cities OF the second
class: that Prof. NJ. Meyer-OIbersleben.
who acted as Judge on pronunciation. had
marked two numbers Up against the
Washington singers on account OF al
legged defective pronunciation. The bund
stood only two numbers lower than the
society which won first honors
The prize which they won consists or
an artistically executed diploma. bear
ing the figures and coats-of-arms Of Co
lumbus and Germania. and the signatures
and the seal OF the saengerfest authori-
ties. testifying that the Saengerbund was
entitled 20 the fourth prize.
In order 10 demonstrate 10 the friends
OF the SaengerbVnd in particular. and the
F-,
local society was entitled 20 a better
place. II Is the opinion CT the majority
that Arrangements should be made 70
have the Saengerbund render the com
petitive songs ar one OF the Saturday
afternoon concerts on the White House
lawn or IN the pavilion on Potomac
Drive. This matter has not yef reached
the stage Of perfection. but IS popular
with the singers.
II is expected the three Judges. who
are residents OF Germany. and had been
engaged 10 act as arbiters At the fest
VIII be the guests of the Saelgerbund AZ
a banquet, which IS 20 take place in the
near future.
The WOman's auxiliary o. the COlum-
bia TUrnverein IS making arrangements
for lawn party and donation sale. 70 be
held on the lawn Of the clubhouse the
proceeds TO be devoted 10 the benefit or
the society's new clubhouse at s2S N
street
The German-American Beneficial So
ciety entertained its members. guests
and friends al an excursion 20 Marshall
Hall. which was largely attended. Songs.
games, and amusements OF al descrip-
tions kept the excursiOnists IN the best
OF humOr ell day.