Evening star., 1909-03-06
GREAT CHORUS HEARD!
Fifteen Thousand Persons
Throng Pension Building.
GREAT THR0NG DELIGHTED
Similar Events of Past Inaugural
tions Surpassed.
AUDITORS JOIN IN THE SINGING
Philippine Constabulary Band Again
Appears This Afternoon, Closing
Concert to Be Given Tonight.
AUDITORS JOIN IN THE SINGING

Crowning the events of the week and
'1ar surprising in its Individual success
similar affairs of past inaugurations, the
third concert of the inaugural series was
given in the Pension building last even
ing by the inaugural chorus of 600 voices.
directed by Percy S. Foster, chairman of
the music committee. and assisted by
the United States Marine Orchestra.
Residents and visitors to the number of
irrobably 1900 thronged the great hall,
and heard a program of vocal and instru-
rmental numbers never surpassed by the
kind in this city. The nominal charge
of 80 cents for the tickets for the double
privilege of hearing such excellent music
and seeing the decorations for the ball
Of Thursday was likely the cause Of the
tremendous gathering.
Great Building Filled.
Even before the hour of the beginning
of the concert the hundreds began to
arrive and crowd about the concert stand
IN the east end of the hail. Rapidly fill
ing the floor and gallery. the crowd
packed the building.
AS the center of attraction, the great
chorus of 600 mixed voices, responding
precisely and perfectly to the direction of
from the great operas and other numbers
more effectively, ii is asserted, than has
any other chorus ever before heard in the
city. even including those which have
sung under the experienced hand of Di-
rector Foster. In the accomplishments to
the chorals and in its concert numbers
the Marine Orchestra, under the direction
of Lieut.. Santelmann, added other treats
To an already elaborate musical menu.
Mrs. Anna Grant Fugitt. soprano soloist
Of the Church of the Covenant and of ST.
PAtrickS Catholic Church. was the only
S"lolst of the evening. appearing in sew
eral obligatoS with the chorus. The ap-
parently impossible task of filing vast
hall with one human voice seemed easy
to the singer. for her clear tones reached
To- the farthest corners In the final num-
her of the program. the Star Spangled
Banner Mrs Fugitt sang both the STAN
Zas, the chorus singing the chorus
1t is remarkable that SO great an au-
dience. and one unprovided with seats, at
that. would remain quiet and perfectly at
tentive for two hours or more to listen to
q concert. or any other performance for
that matter 1t is an indication of the
quality OF work presented.
The number by the chorus which SEEM
Cd most 70 please was the famous Halle
lujah Chorus" from the oratorio The
Messiah" by Handel. II won a rousing
recognition from the responsive audience.
Prompt in Beginning.
Exactly on the minute appointed for
the concert to begin, Mr. Foster waved
The members OF his chorus to
their feet and led them IN the
strains of America" BuZZing conver-
saton in the immense throng ceased AT
once and remained absent throughout the
evening.
The orchestra played as the second
number, the overture to "Oberon." and
WAS heartily applauded. TO Thee @
country by Eichberg. and Adam Gel
bells March of the Nation were sung
by the chorus. accompanied by the or
CheStra. A dainty number. Spring OF
Love" by Won Blon, described as a tone
picture, was especially well played by
the orchestra.
A Difficult Number.
one OF the most difficult and ambitious
numbers of the chorus was the .J'nior
and Liberty anthem, by Horatio Parker
which was written especially for the inau
iuration four years ago. The worI
which the director was able 10 bring our
in this piece one which would be exceed
ingly difficult for even n small chorus Ie
alone GJO voices. brought rounds of ap
plaGse from the vast audience. Mrs
Fugitt sang the beautiful obligato. Sh,
also took advantage of the fine oppor
tunity for solo effects in the number
.Infammatus." by Rossin!. and was abl,
seconded by the chorus. Following tn,
chorus sang Chadwick's New Hail Co
lumbia." snappy number in march time