Norwich bulletin., 1909-05-05
PEOPLES SINGING CLASS
 GIVES EXCELLENT CONCERT.
Town Hall Seating Capacity Filled Numbers by the Class and Miss Barbour Delighted.

The peoples singing class, which has met once a week for the past twenty weeks under the instruction of Charles D. Geer, gave its first an- nual concert Tuesday evening in the Town hall, crowning the close of its first season with an impressive dem onstration of the successful work ac- complished by both instructor and pu- pills. A programme of i've concert numbers augmented by the opening orchestral overture, and assisted by the talented New York soprano, Miss Inez Barbour, furnished an evening of delight for the audience present, which numbered 300 and filled every seat that had been provided.
 It was with an air of critical ex- pectancy that the opening number Of the chorus of 100 voices was awaited, for among the music lovers present 1t was understood that the concert was to be presented by a purely amateur ensemble, with no professional back ing or filling out, and there was in tense interest to see what it had been possible to accomplish in the twenty two rehearsals that had been held. Naturally enough, Interest centered in the appearance of the chorus, but there was also much anticipated from Miss Barbour, and it was easy to see that the popular verdict was that both more than fulfilled every expectation, after their opening numbers had been heard.
 The class occupied seats on a. rais- ed platform at the end of the hall, e-white dresses of the sopranos and altos framing the darker clothes of the men. who occupied the central seats. A finely rendered orchestral number, Overture to Semiramide (Rossini) opened the concert B. E. Baker leader, and Frederic w. Lester at the plano, the latter being the &C., companist for the evening.
 Beethoven's Creation Hymn was the opening mum Der for the chorus led by it's director, MT Geer, and given with a tonal excellence, confidence and finished style that was triumph for both leader and singers, and was rec ognized by a burst of applause that shook the buildiIA. and called foB an encore that was kindly given and ap- plauded to the echo. Director Geer showed that he had blended his sing CTS into one melodious whole that sang with thorough understanding tnd expression that gave their work a professional stamp. and was said by couipetent musical critics rarely to have been equalled in Norwich This good impression given in the 0penil number was only intensified in the succeeding selections by the chorus, all of which received long applause. Miss Barbour was first heard in g group of three songs, and sprang at once into favor with her audience, dis playing a voice of hexibility, which was under perfect control, and handled with graceful shadings. and much charming pianissimo work, which called her back to bow an acknowledgment to the ap- plause after her first group of songs. In response to the applause after her second appearance she graciously gave an encore number, which was one of the gems of the evening.
 The following was the programme in full.
 Overture to Semiramide, Rossini
 Orchestra.
 Creation Hymn, Beethoven
 Chorus.
 a. Phyllis Has Such Charming Graees,
 Young b. The Dove, Ronald C. Come Unto Those Yellow Sands.
 La Forge
 Miss Barbour.
 o Gladstone Light Golden Legendl, Unfold Ye Portals, (Redemption.
 Gounod
 Chorus.
 a. Southern Song, Ronald b. The Willow, Goring Thomas c. Happy Song, Del Riego
 Miss Barbour.
 Hymn To Night. Beethoven
 Chorus
 InfIammatus (Stabat Mater). Rossini
 Miss Barbour and Chorus.
 Norbert Schutz, Raymond Sherman and Richard Tarrant officiated as ush- CTS and the door was in charge of Lewis Taber and Roy c. Phillips. Throughout the season Charles H. Haskell has been treasurer for the class, F. w. Lester having been chair man in charge of It's organization, and