The Washington herald., 1909-03-08
INAUGURAL CHORUS
TO BE PERMANENT
Impetus from Festival Con-
certs EnlargeS Plan.
HIGH PLANE OF EXCELLENCE
Director Foster Says Chorus i Supe-
rior to Any of Its Predecessors
Here-CapitaI Is Developing "a
Musical Center, and Need of
Great Choir Ia Recognized.

That the splendid inaugural chorus
plans to perpetuate itself and to become
a permanent feature OF Washington's s
musical activity was affirmed by the di-
rector of the choir. Percy :. Foster.
last night.
The impetus derived from the festival
concerts. which were brilliantly success
full has led TO the proposal II rerma-
nency. From the musical point Of view,
at least. the 1909 Inauguration surpassed
all its predecessors. The great choir.
numbering SO voices, reached a higher
rlsne Of excellence than even its most
ardent exponents thought possible. AIR.
Foster has made a calm and dispassion-
ate review of its WORK
Il have been in charge Of these con-
certs for four inaugUrations." he said
Il can say. in all sincerity. that this Sc
ries Of concerts is the best we nave ever
given. This may sound ste-eo,vped. but
It Is not meant in that spirit
The chorus is lot merely the ldrces:
Of any we have had. hut II - PHYSICALLY
superior to any Of its predecessors. In
saying this. many elements must be tax
en- into account. The programme at
tempted more than ever before Hitherto
Il has been entirely patriotic in charac-
ter. and has not been ambitious from an
artistic point Of view This year our
programme was at once popular, educat-
ing, and stimulating. interesting alike 10
the iayman and the lover Of good music.
Conditions Favorable.
The conditions were more favorable
for inspiring singing than before The
sounding brass was tempered and soften
ed by an orchestra OF seventy pieces.
blending beautifully with the voices. It
Was an excellent move 10 introduce the
orchestra. as II gave an undoubted i'm
petus 20 the chorus.
Not the least Of the elements con
tributing 10 the success OF the concerts
was the spectacular seating OF the choir.
and the brilliant appearance il made in
consequence The mere sight OF the great
organization was inspiring.
1T do not overstate the facts when I
say the members Of the chorus are en-
thuslastic over their success. and are
determined to perpetuate the organization
On just what basis this permanent man
agement Will be accomplished I do not
know Washington IS rapidly developing
as a musical center. and The choir is
bound 20 take its place among the sig
nifcant factors Of that development II
will be q chorus representative Of the
National Capital and will draw upon all
the States and Territories for its men,
bership.
The chorus. when placed upon a stable
basis. should give new life 10 the audi
torium movement The fact is the or
ganization Of the chorus will accomplish
little unless we have the auditorium.
Musical enthusiasts in the Capital should
not fail 10 see that the success Of any
future concerts viii depend largely upon
the hall in which we give them.
Patriotic Anthems Written.
The fact that such musicians as Hora-
ito Parker. of Yale. and Arthur Whiting
OF Boston, have written patriotic an
thems for our choir 10 sing. and that We
have attempted RossinTs 'Stabat Mater
and several Of the classical oratorios, en-
phasizes the standing Of the organization.
II is not intended 10 make this choir a
purely artistic one. such as the Worcester
Festival Chorus. but 10 emphasize its ma
tional character. We desire TO make il
distinctive and in keeping with the char
acter OF this city
The membership is, indeed. already
cosmopolitan. All the States and Terri
tories are represented, except Nevada
and New Mexico In addition TO this.
we have many foreigners in our ranks.
Great Britain. France. Italy, Sweden,
Greece. Russia, Mexico. Cuba, the Phil
/ ippines and South Africa have all con-
| tributed singers
"In regard 10 other features OF our
concerts. I believe the Philippine Con-
stabulary Band is one Of the very best
I have heard in this country. There was
an impression among the public that II
was A freak organization. and that its
| repertoire was limited 10 a few patriot,
airs How entirely baseless this was
/ the concerts showed The Marine Band
concert was excellent, and easily I'D 10
/ the high standard which this organiza
/ ton has set for ITSELF